Paris Brunner’s fast start at Monaco draws comparisons with Osimhen

Paris Brunner has emerged as one of the early breakthroughs of the Ligue 1 season after scoring again for AS Monaco against RC Lens on Friday, 18 September 2026.

The 20-year-old German-Congolese forward’s latest goal took his league total to four after the opening five matches of the 2026/27 campaign. His current form represents a significant change from his first season with the Monaco club, when he struggled to make a statistical impact.

Brunner joined Monaco in 2024 and was loaned to Cercle Bruges later that year to continue his development. After returning to the Principality, he made only seven appearances for AS Monaco last season and did not score.

His progress at the beginning of this campaign has therefore been particularly striking. Brunner has quickly become an important attacking threat, showing an efficiency in front of goal that was absent during his previous spell with the first team.

His tally also places him close to the early Ligue 1 record set by Victor Osimhen. When the Nigeria striker began his French top-flight career with Lille in 2019, he scored five goals in his first five league appearances.

Brunner’s return of four goals in the same number of matches is slightly lower, but the comparison highlights the impact he has made in the opening weeks of the season. Like Osimhen at Lille, he has made an immediate impression through his ability to finish chances consistently.

It remains to be seen whether Brunner can sustain that scoring rate across the campaign. However, after a quiet first season in Monaco, his start to 2026/27 suggests he has taken an important step forward and could establish himself among Ligue 1’s leading forwards.