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Goncalo RamosPSG Vs BarcelonaSenny Mayulu

PSG Shocker: 19-Year-Old Benches £65M Star Gonçalo Ramos for Barcelona Champions League Clash

Shivansh Rana | 4 min read | 1 day ago | Oct 15, 2025 12:16 pm IST
PSG Shocker: 19-Year-Old Benches £65M Star Gonçalo Ramos for Barcelona Champions League Clash

Paris Saint-Germain is staring down a massive Champions League match against FC Barcelona with a huge problem. Key attackers Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Désiré Doué are all out with injuries. So what’s coach Luis Enrique’s solution? Something nobody saw coming: starting a 19-year-old kid over a striker who cost the club £65 million.

Key Takeaways

  • Shock Starter: 19-year-old Senny Mayulu is expected to start for PSG against FC Barcelona.
  • Star Benched: He replaces Gonçalo Ramos, a striker PSG bought for approximately £65 million.
  • Coach’s Call: The decision is driven by an injury crisis and coach Luis Enrique’s specific tactical preferences.
  • New Role: Mayulu, originally a midfielder, has been successfully retrained as a number nine.

A Bold Gamble for a High-Stakes Game

Yeah, you read that right. Senny Mayulu is reportedly getting the nod to lead the line against Barcelona. This means Gonçalo Ramos, the man PSG splashed a cool £65 million on just 18 months ago, will be watching from the bench. It’s a huge call for a must-win European night.

But this isn’t Mayulu’s first taste of the big time. He already started in this season’s opening Champions League match against Atalanta Bergamo, so the pressure isn’t entirely new to him. Still, benching your star signing for a teenager? That sends a message.

Who Exactly is Senny Mayulu?

Look, if you don’t know the name yet, you probably will soon. Mayulu joined PSG’s youth academy way back in 2018 when he was just twelve. He fought his way up and finally broke into the professional squad in January 2024.

And he didn’t just make up the numbers. Last season in Ligue 1 was his breakthrough, with 20 appearances and four goal contributions. Oh, and here’s a wild stat for you: he’s the third-youngest final goalscorer in Champions League history, after netting in PSG’s 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan to win the trophy in the 2024/2025 season. This kid has pedigree.

It’s All About the Tactics

Expert Analysis

So why the change? It comes down to Luis Enrique’s vision. The coach has a clear preference for agile number nines who can drop into midfield and link up play, not just wait in the box. And that’s exactly what he’s molded Mayulu into. Originally a midfielder, Mayulu was retrained as a striker during this year’s Club World Cup, and it worked, he even scored against Atlético Madrid in his new role.

Ramos, on the other hand, is more of a traditional, penalty-box finisher. With key playmakers injured, Enrique likely believes Mayulu’s skillset offers more flexibility and creativity against a tough Barcelona defense. It’s a tactical masterstroke or a massive risk. We’re about to find out which.

Social Media Storm

As you can imagine, the internet is buzzing. PSG fans are split. Some are calling Enrique a genius for trusting youth and adapting to the injury crisis. Others are stunned that a £65 million investment is being sidelined for such a critical match. The debate is raging: is this a sign of brilliant management or a panic move?

What Happens Next?

This decision puts an immense amount of pressure on Senny Mayulu’s young shoulders, but it’s also a golden opportunity to become a hero. For Ramos, it raises serious questions about his long-term future at the club under Enrique.

But honestly, all that matters now is the result against Barcelona. Will the teenager shine and prove his coach right, or will PSG miss the firepower of their expensive star? Let us know what you think of this massive call in the comments below.