Sabaly Prepares for Emotional Return to PSG with Evian
Evian Thonon Gaillard full-back Youssouf Sabaly is preparing for a poignant homecoming as he returns to Paris Saint-Germain for the first time — not as a fan or youth product, but as an opponent.
The 21-year-old defender, currently on loan at Evian from PSG, will face his parent club on Wednesday night in a rescheduled Ligue 1 fixture at the Parc des Princes — marking the first time he will play at the stadium he once called home.
“It’s a special moment for me,” Sabaly told L’Équipe. “Facing the club that trained me, at the Parc, it’s something I’ve never experienced before.”
Sabaly, a FIFA U20 World Cup winner with France in 2013, joined Evian on loan at the start of the season to gain first-team experience. Since arriving in Haute-Savoie, he has firmly established himself as a key figure in the squad. The versatile defender has featured in 33 league matches this campaign — more than any other player at the club.
“I didn’t expect to play so much,” Sabaly admitted. “At first, I just wanted to get some playing time. Then the coach trusted me from the beginning, and I took my chance.”
Though primarily deployed as a left-back, the Franco-Senegalese player revealed a preference for operating on the opposite flank. “I feel comfortable on both sides, but it’s true I can do things more naturally on the right. My versatility might help if I return to PSG.”
That return is a strong possibility. Sabaly remains under contract with the Ligue 1 leaders and has been closely monitored throughout his loan spell. While he is uncertain about his long-term future, he is determined to make an impression.
“For now, I don’t know what the future holds,” he said. “But I’ll be going back to PSG after the season, and we’ll see from there. I know the club is keeping an eye on me — they watch my matches.”
Sabaly will hope to impress not just his current employers but also those who may determine his fate beyond this season. The Parc des Princes is familiar territory in many ways, but Wednesday’s clash offers a rare and personal challenge — one that could define his career trajectory.
