Bradley Barcola

French footballer (born 2002)

Bradley Barcola
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-09-02) 2 September 2002 (age 21)
Place of birth Villeurbanne, France
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward, winger[1]
Team information
Current team
 Paris Saint-Germain
Number 29
Youth career
2008–2010 AS Buers Villeurbanne
2010–2021 Lyon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2023 Lyon II 22 (5)
2021–2023 Lyon 40 (5)
2023– Paris Saint-Germain 25 (4)
International career‡
2022 France U20 1 (0)
2023–2024 France U21 12 (4)
2024 France Olympic 1 (0)
2024– France 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 02:01, 16 May 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 1:28, 25 June 2024 (UTC)

Bradley Barcola (born 2 September 2002) is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team.

After coming up through Lyon's academy, Barcola began his professional career with his boyhood club, where he would play two seasons, the latter of which he broke out into the starting squad, leading the club in assists. This breakout led to a €45 million move to Paris Saint-Germain in July 2023, where he was named the signing of the season for his debut campaign.

Barcola played youth international football for France at under-21 and Olympic levels. He made his senior international debut in June 2024, and was a member of the France squad for UEFA Euro 2024.

Early life

Barcola was born on 2 September 2002 in Villeurbanne, a commune in the Metropolis of Lyon,[2] to a French mother and Togolese father.[3][4][5][6][7] He started playing football in his home town, before joining Lyon at the age of eight.[4][5]

Club career

Lyon

During the 2020–21 season Barcola started playing with the Lyon reserve in National 2 while also being a prolific goalscorer with the under-19 who played in the UEFA Youth League,[4] before signing a junior contract in January 2021.[3]

After being called up to the Lyon first team by Peter Bosz during the 2021–22 pre-season—scoring his first goal against Bourg-en-Bresse[8]— Barcola signed his first professional contract in September 2021, tying him to the club until 2024.[5][9][10]

Barcola made his professional debut for Lyon on 4 November 2021, replacing Rayan Cherki at the 81st minute of a 3–0 home win against Sparta Prague in the group stage of the Europa League.[11] He managed to provide an assist for Karl Toko Ekambi on Lyon's third goal, helping his side to a win that would make them the first team to officially qualify for this edition round of 16.[12]

Barcola had more playing time during the 2022–23 season, contributing to Lyon's front line alongside top scorer Alexandre Lacazette. On 7 May 2023, he assisted three goals for Lyon and Lacazette for a comeback win against Montpellier in a nine-goal thriller, canceling out four goals scored by striker Elye Wahi.[13]

Paris Saint-Germain

On 31 August 2023, Barcola joined fellow Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a reported €45 million fee,[14] signing a five-year contract with the club.[14][15] He was assigned the number 29 jersey.[15] On 3 September, Barcola made his debut as a substitute in a 4–1 away win over his former club Lyon. He became the 500th player to make an appearance for Paris Saint-Germain.[16] On 24 September, Barcola made his first start for PSG in a 4–0 win over Le Classique rivals Marseille.[17] On 29 October, he recorded his first goal contribution for the club, an assist for Warren Zaïre-Emery's opening goal in a 3–2 away win over Brest.[18] On 9 December, Barcola scored his first goal for PSG in a 2–1 win over Nantes.[19]

On 14 February 2024, he scored his first Champions League goal in a 2–0 victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of the round of 16.[20] The French winger received great praise for his performance in a 4–1 away victory over Barcelona in the Champions League quarter finals second leg on April 16, 2024.[21] He gave a key assist to Ousmane Dembele for the equalizing goal in the match, and was key throughout as Paris overturned a 3–2 deficit.[22]On June 10, 2024 Barcola was named by Ligue 1 as the signing of the season. [23]

International career

Barcola was first selected with France under-18 in January 2020 to play two friendly matches. However, he did not appear as most junior encounters were cancelled due to COVID-19 during the following seasons.[3][5][10][24]

On 16 May 2024, Barcola received his first call-up to the France national team for UEFA Euro 2024.[25] On 5 June 2024, he debuted as a substitute to Marcus Thuram in the 81st minute of a 3–0 friendly victory against Luxembourg at Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz.[26] Barcola also got his first goal contribution with an assist to Kylian Mbappé.[27]

Style of play

Barcola is a versatile forward, able to play on both sides of a front three or as a centre forward. He takes inspiration from players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.[4][28]

Personal life

Barcola holds French and Togolese nationalities.[29] His brother Malcolm is also a footballer.[9]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 25 May 2024[30]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Coupe de France Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Lyon B 2020–21 Championnat National 2 4 2 — — — 4 2
2021–22 Championnat National 2 14 3 — — — 14 3
2022–23 Championnat National 2 4 0 — — — 4 0
Total 22 5 — — — 22 5
Lyon 2021–22 Ligue 1 11 0 0 0 2[a] 0 — 13 0
2022–23 Ligue 1 26 5 5 2 — — 31 7
2023–24 Ligue 1 3 0 0 0 — — 3 0
Total 40 5 5 2 2 0 — 47 7
Paris Saint-Germain 2023–24 Ligue 1 25 4 3 0 10[b] 1 1[c] 0 39 5
Career total 87 14 8 2 12 1 1 0 108 17
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ Appearance in Trophée des Champions

International

As of match played 25 June 2024[31]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
France 2024 3 0
Total 3 0

Honours

Paris Saint-Germain

References

  1. ^ a b "Bradley Barcola". Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 2 September 2002. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Bradley Barcola". L'Équipe (in French). Paris. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Hattabi, Dahbia (17 January 2020). "Officiel : Bradley Barcola signe un contrat stagiaire à l'OL". Foot Mercato (in French). Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Hattabi, Dahbia (21 February 2020). "Coupe Gambardella : ces cinq pépites qui font le bonheur de l'Olympique Lyonnais". Foot Mercato (in French). Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d "OL : premier contrat professionnel pour l'attaquant Bradley Barcola". Le Progrès (in French). 13 September 2021. Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  6. ^ "Bradley Barcola : le jeune attaquant aussi passe professionnel". Africa Top Sports (in French). 17 January 2020. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Football : le franco-togolais Bradley Barcola signe un contrat pro". We Love Sport (in French). 14 September 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Après OL – Bourg : les jeunes dans tous les bons coups". OL.fr (in French). 12 July 2021. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  9. ^ a b "L'attaquant Bradley Barcola (OL) signe son premier contrat professionnel". L'Équipe (in French). 14 September 2021. Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Bradley Barcola signe son 1er contrat professionnel avec l'OL jusqu'en 2024". OL.fr (in French). 13 September 2021. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  11. ^ Ferreira, Sébastien (4 November 2021). "Résultat et résumé OL - Sparta Prague, Ligue Europa, 4e journée Gr. A". L'Équipe (in French). Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  12. ^ Olivès-Berthet, Cyril (4 November 2021). "L'OL qualifié pour les 8es de finale de la Ligue Europa après sa victoire face au Sparta Prague". L'Équipe (in French). Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  13. ^ "L'OL arrache une victoire complètement folle face à Montpellier (5-4)". L'Équipe (in French). 7 May 2023.
  14. ^ a b "PSG confirm €45m signing of French wonderkid Bradley Barcola from Lyon". Goal.com. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  15. ^ a b "France U21 international Bradley Barcola joins Paris!". Paris Saint-Germain. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Barcola becomes 500th Paris Saint-Germain player". EN.PSG.FR. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  17. ^ "Barcola (PSG) après la victoire contre l'OM : « C'était incroyable »". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  18. ^ "At the end of the suspense, Paris defeats Brest!". EN.PSG.FR. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  19. ^ "PSG-Nantes : magnifique premier but de Bradley Barcola sous le maillot de Paris". Le Parisien (in French). 9 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  20. ^ "Bradley Barcola Scores First Champions League Goal With Superb Solo Strike As PSG Beat Real Sociedad". Sports Illustrated. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  21. ^ "PSG Youngster 'Tortured' Barcelona Defense in Second Leg Pundit Says". PSG Talk. 22 April 2024.
  22. ^ Rutzler, Peter (1 May 2024). "PSG's Bradley Barcola – 'An evolution like his, at a level like this… I've never seen it'". The New York Times.
  23. ^ "PSG's Bradley Barcola named signing of the season in Ligue 1". PSG Post. 10 June 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |ur= ignored (help)
  24. ^ "Sélection : première convocation pour Bradley Barcola". Olympique Lyonnais (in French). 13 January 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  25. ^ "Euro 2024 : Deschamps convoque Bradley Barcola, Ferland Mendy et N'Golo Kanté dans la liste de l'équipe de France". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  26. ^ Sherlock, Harry (5 June 2024). "France player ratings vs Luxembourg: Kylian Mbappe misses chance to fill his boots as blunt Bleus labour to pre-Euro 2024 victory over minnows". Goal.
  27. ^ "Mbappé goal, assists help France win Euro 2024 warm-up". ESPN. 5 June 2024.
  28. ^ Youcef, Rafik (31 July 2018). "Turfu [9/20] - Bradley Barcola (Olympique Lyonnais) : " Je kiffe regarder les vidéos de Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang "". Onze Mondial (in French). Archived from the original on 1 August 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  29. ^ "Bradley BARCOLA -".
  30. ^ "B. Barcola: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  31. ^ "Bradley Barcola". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  32. ^ "Paris Saint-Germain win their 12th Ligue 1 title!". Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  33. ^ "Le Paris SG remplit sa Coupe" (in French). Fédération Française de Football. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Paris start 2024 with Trophée des Champions triumph!". Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.

External links

  • Profile at the Paris Saint-Germain F.C. website
  • Bradley Barcola at the French Football Federation (in French) Edit this at Wikidata
  • Bradley Barcola – UEFA competition record (archive) Edit this at Wikidata
  • v
  • t
  • e
Paris Saint-Germain F.C. – current squad
  • v
  • t
  • e
France squad – UEFA Euro 2024
France