FC Twente’s Daouda Weidmann shines after rising through Paris football’s relentless talent system

Daouda Weidmann was virtually unknown when he arrived in the Netherlands three years ago. Now the 23-year-old FC Twente midfielder has become one of the Eredivisie’s emerging performers after a difficult journey from the streets of Paris to the top level.

Weidmann is the latest product of the French capital’s remarkable football culture. At least 56 players raised in Paris or its suburbs took part in the most recent World Cup, including 30 in 2022, while 99 players at the tournament were born in France.

The Paris suburbs, known as the banlieue, have been particularly important in producing elite players. Kylian Mbappe is the most prominent recent example.

Hubert Fournier, technical director of the French Football Federation, told The Athletic that the region contains “an incredible amount of talent in a relatively small area”.

Communities from Algeria, Senegal, Mali and Morocco settled in northern Paris after post-war migration, while strong competition between clubs has exposed players to different styles of football.

“That brings creativity and creates players who have something different, such as Riyad Mahrez and Rayan Cherki,” Fournier said.

Investment in sporting facilities has also helped. Paul Pogba explained the culture simply in 2016: “Because there is nothing but football.”

“Whether you are at school or outside, everyone wants to play football,” the 2018 World Cup winner added. “It stops people hanging around and doing stupid things. Every day is football, nothing but football.”

Poverty has also shaped the mentality of many youngsters in the area.

“They want to make a living from football,” Fournier said. “They want to become professional footballers at all costs because it is not an easy place to live. Many families struggle. The children understand that and give everything to succeed.”

Weidmann, whose German mother raised him and his sister in Paris, was born in the city’s 19th arrondissement before moving to the suburbs. He carries his mother’s surname because his father did not recognise the children in their early years and was absent until Weidmann was four.

He joined Paris Saint-Germain’s academy at 12 but considered leaving after struggling with the demanding level, family separation, injuries and the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I thought, perhaps I should focus on a career in social work,” he told NOS.

Instead, he stayed and trained alongside Lionel Messi, Mbappe, Sergio Ramos and Neymar.

“They were huge stars I had only known from television,” he said. “You are there to train, not to admire them, but that is not always easy for a young boy.”

A move to Torino followed when Paris Saint-Germain considered loaning him to France’s third tier. Weidmann said the Italian club made promises that were not fulfilled and wanted to send him to the third division.

He then joined RKC Waalwijk, despite initially not knowing the club. “I searched online and saw they were in mid-table under Joseph Oosting,” he said. “The Eredivisie is well known, so I thought, let’s do it.”

His move to FC Twente last year surprised supporters because he had not made a major impact at Waalwijk. However, an abdominal-wall injury kept him out from November until May during the 2024/25 season.

This campaign, Weidmann has contributed 11 goals and assists in 16 matches, scoring five and setting up six. His outstanding solo goal against PSV has been the highlight, although he missed FC Twente’s 9-0 win against Excelsior on Sunday.

“Running, running and more running,” said NOS. “That goal belongs in the FC Twente museum.”

Weidmann’s career finally appears to be accelerating, although he still has an ambitious target.

“My goal is still to play for France,” he said. “I know it is very far away.”