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He came, he scored, he left: the amazing story of Saimon Bouabre’s World Cup blitz
Saimon Bouabre of France scores his team’s first goal during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 quarter-final match between Norway and France in Valparaiso, Chile. (Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Thibault Le Besne – AIPS Young Reporter – France
AIPS ASIA News:
VALPARAÍSO, October 13, 2025 – A round trip, two goals, and a sudden order to return. Saimon Bouabre, the man who sent France to the semifinals with his decisive brace, will miss the rest of the FIFA U-20 World Cup after his club, Neom SC, called him back to Saudi Arabia.
“After the qualification, we received a lot of media requests. During these interviews, we officially received a letter from Neom SC saying they refused to let Saimon stay with us for 13 more hours, so he had to leave the camp,” explained a supervisor of the French squad to AIPS. The Saudi club declined to reschedule Bouabre’s flight from Wednesday, October 15, at 10 p.m. to Thursday, October 16, at 11 a.m.
A DEAL BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT At this stage of the competition, it’s hardly a fair-play attitude. It’s an absurd decision. Neom SC, currently fourth in the Saudi Pro League, will not play again until Sunday, October 19, against Al-Qadsiah, who sit second. Yet they insisted on having their player available as soon as possible. Technically, the club is within its rights: the FIFA international window ends on Tuesday, October 14. France are due to face Morocco in the semifinals on Wednesday, October 15, at 5 p.m.
When he called up Bouabre on September 28, French head coach Bernard Diomède faced several refusals from clubs. He made a special deal with the offensive midfielder, agreeing to keep him with the squad until the semifinal but not for the final, allowing him to return to Saudi Arabia in time for league duties. Diomède hoped Neom SC would show flexibility if France advanced deep into the competition.
SET AN EXAMPLE But Neom SC’s stance makes little sense. The Saudi club, managed by French coach Christophe Galtier, had already made the French staff wait for an entire week during the group stage, blocking their playmaker even though they had no matches scheduled in Saudi Arabia. They only allowed Bouabre to travel once the FIFA window officially began. The No. 9 missed several training sessions with Les Bleuets.
Last Monday, Bouabre spent 14 hours on the plane and landed in Santiago that evening. On Wednesday, he played 70 minutes still feeling the effects of jet lag against Japan. Bernard Diomède revealed after the quarter-final win over Norway — sealed by Bouabre’s two goals — how the young forward had pushed through exhaustion to deliver for his country.
On Sunday evening, after securing qualification for the semifinals, Diomède made a public appeal through AIPS, officially asking Neom SC to let his playmaker stay one more day in Chile. Negotiations began immediately. The response: a flat refusal.
“They want to set an example,” said a French official, who couldn’t understand the decision but seemed resigned.
A PLAYER CAUGHT IN BETWEEN And what about the player’s mindset after his club’s ruthless decision? “Saimon doesn’t want to put himself in a difficult position. He has to do what his club decides,” said a member of the French staff. “He’s always highly motivated when playing for the national team. I’m sure he would have loved to play this semifinal.”
Saimon Bouabre won’t play another U-20 World Cup. This brief visit to Chile could be his only experience at a FIFA World Cup in his career.
LUCAS MICHAL TO STEP UP Now the French team must look forward. Les Bleuets lose a spark who has been so valuable in their last two matches, dribbling, creating chances and scoring twice. “We still have two games to play, with 19 players instead of 21. It’s not ideal for managing rotations,” noted a member of the French staff.
“For both the player and the team, we must clarify the situation as soon as possible. We need to move forward calmly and prepare for the next match.”
Lucas Michal should regain his role as playmaker. The AS Monaco player, labelled “one to watch” before every game, started on the bench against Norway due to fatigue but has since recovered. He will now have to assume responsibility and lead the French attack, just as Saimon Bouabre did — briefly, but brilliantly.
“After the qualification, we received a lot of media requests. During these interviews, we officially received a letter from Neom SC saying they refused to let Saimon stay with us for 13 more hours, so he had to leave the camp,” explained a supervisor of the French squad to AIPS. The Saudi club declined to reschedule Bouabre’s flight from Wednesday, October 15, at 10 p.m. to Thursday, October 16, at 11 a.m.
A DEAL BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT At this stage of the competition, it’s hardly a fair-play attitude. It’s an absurd decision. Neom SC, currently fourth in the Saudi Pro League, will not play again until Sunday, October 19, against Al-Qadsiah, who sit second. Yet they insisted on having their player available as soon as possible. Technically, the club is within its rights: the FIFA international window ends on Tuesday, October 14. France are due to face Morocco in the semifinals on Wednesday, October 15, at 5 p.m.
When he called up Bouabre on September 28, French head coach Bernard Diomède faced several refusals from clubs. He made a special deal with the offensive midfielder, agreeing to keep him with the squad until the semifinal but not for the final, allowing him to return to Saudi Arabia in time for league duties. Diomède hoped Neom SC would show flexibility if France advanced deep into the competition.
SET AN EXAMPLE But Neom SC’s stance makes little sense. The Saudi club, managed by French coach Christophe Galtier, had already made the French staff wait for an entire week during the group stage, blocking their playmaker even though they had no matches scheduled in Saudi Arabia. They only allowed Bouabre to travel once the FIFA window officially began. The No. 9 missed several training sessions with Les Bleuets.
Last Monday, Bouabre spent 14 hours on the plane and landed in Santiago that evening. On Wednesday, he played 70 minutes still feeling the effects of jet lag against Japan. Bernard Diomède revealed after the quarter-final win over Norway — sealed by Bouabre’s two goals — how the young forward had pushed through exhaustion to deliver for his country.
On Sunday evening, after securing qualification for the semifinals, Diomède made a public appeal through AIPS, officially asking Neom SC to let his playmaker stay one more day in Chile. Negotiations began immediately. The response: a flat refusal.
“They want to set an example,” said a French official, who couldn’t understand the decision but seemed resigned.
A PLAYER CAUGHT IN BETWEEN And what about the player’s mindset after his club’s ruthless decision? “Saimon doesn’t want to put himself in a difficult position. He has to do what his club decides,” said a member of the French staff. “He’s always highly motivated when playing for the national team. I’m sure he would have loved to play this semifinal.”
Saimon Bouabre won’t play another U-20 World Cup. This brief visit to Chile could be his only experience at a FIFA World Cup in his career.
LUCAS MICHAL TO STEP UP Now the French team must look forward. Les Bleuets lose a spark who has been so valuable in their last two matches, dribbling, creating chances and scoring twice. “We still have two games to play, with 19 players instead of 21. It’s not ideal for managing rotations,” noted a member of the French staff.
“For both the player and the team, we must clarify the situation as soon as possible. We need to move forward calmly and prepare for the next match.”
Lucas Michal should regain his role as playmaker. The AS Monaco player, labelled “one to watch” before every game, started on the bench against Norway due to fatigue but has since recovered. He will now have to assume responsibility and lead the French attack, just as Saimon Bouabre did — briefly, but brilliantly.
Courtesy AIPS Media
He came, he scored, he left: the amazing story of Saimon Bouabre’s World Cup blitz
Saimon Bouabre of France scores his team’s first goal during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 quarter-final match between Norway and France in Valparaiso, Chile. (Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Thibault Le Besne – AIPS Young Reporter – France
AIPS ASIA News:
VALPARAÍSO, October 13, 2025 – A round trip, two goals, and a sudden order to return. Saimon Bouabre, the man who sent France to the semifinals with his decisive brace, will miss the rest of the FIFA U-20 World Cup after his club, Neom SC, called him back to Saudi Arabia.
“After the qualification, we received a lot of media requests. During these interviews, we officially received a letter from Neom SC saying they refused to let Saimon stay with us for 13 more hours, so he had to leave the camp,” explained a supervisor of the French squad to AIPS. The Saudi club declined to reschedule Bouabre’s flight from Wednesday, October 15, at 10 p.m. to Thursday, October 16, at 11 a.m.
A DEAL BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT At this stage of the competition, it’s hardly a fair-play attitude. It’s an absurd decision. Neom SC, currently fourth in the Saudi Pro League, will not play again until Sunday, October 19, against Al-Qadsiah, who sit second. Yet they insisted on having their player available as soon as possible. Technically, the club is within its rights: the FIFA international window ends on Tuesday, October 14. France are due to face Morocco in the semifinals on Wednesday, October 15, at 5 p.m.
When he called up Bouabre on September 28, French head coach Bernard Diomède faced several refusals from clubs. He made a special deal with the offensive midfielder, agreeing to keep him with the squad until the semifinal but not for the final, allowing him to return to Saudi Arabia in time for league duties. Diomède hoped Neom SC would show flexibility if France advanced deep into the competition.
SET AN EXAMPLE But Neom SC’s stance makes little sense. The Saudi club, managed by French coach Christophe Galtier, had already made the French staff wait for an entire week during the group stage, blocking their playmaker even though they had no matches scheduled in Saudi Arabia. They only allowed Bouabre to travel once the FIFA window officially began. The No. 9 missed several training sessions with Les Bleuets.
Last Monday, Bouabre spent 14 hours on the plane and landed in Santiago that evening. On Wednesday, he played 70 minutes still feeling the effects of jet lag against Japan. Bernard Diomède revealed after the quarter-final win over Norway — sealed by Bouabre’s two goals — how the young forward had pushed through exhaustion to deliver for his country.
On Sunday evening, after securing qualification for the semifinals, Diomède made a public appeal through AIPS, officially asking Neom SC to let his playmaker stay one more day in Chile. Negotiations began immediately. The response: a flat refusal.
“They want to set an example,” said a French official, who couldn’t understand the decision but seemed resigned.
A PLAYER CAUGHT IN BETWEEN And what about the player’s mindset after his club’s ruthless decision? “Saimon doesn’t want to put himself in a difficult position. He has to do what his club decides,” said a member of the French staff. “He’s always highly motivated when playing for the national team. I’m sure he would have loved to play this semifinal.”
Saimon Bouabre won’t play another U-20 World Cup. This brief visit to Chile could be his only experience at a FIFA World Cup in his career.
LUCAS MICHAL TO STEP UP Now the French team must look forward. Les Bleuets lose a spark who has been so valuable in their last two matches, dribbling, creating chances and scoring twice. “We still have two games to play, with 19 players instead of 21. It’s not ideal for managing rotations,” noted a member of the French staff.
“For both the player and the team, we must clarify the situation as soon as possible. We need to move forward calmly and prepare for the next match.”
Lucas Michal should regain his role as playmaker. The AS Monaco player, labelled “one to watch” before every game, started on the bench against Norway due to fatigue but has since recovered. He will now have to assume responsibility and lead the French attack, just as Saimon Bouabre did — briefly, but brilliantly.
“After the qualification, we received a lot of media requests. During these interviews, we officially received a letter from Neom SC saying they refused to let Saimon stay with us for 13 more hours, so he had to leave the camp,” explained a supervisor of the French squad to AIPS. The Saudi club declined to reschedule Bouabre’s flight from Wednesday, October 15, at 10 p.m. to Thursday, October 16, at 11 a.m.
A DEAL BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT At this stage of the competition, it’s hardly a fair-play attitude. It’s an absurd decision. Neom SC, currently fourth in the Saudi Pro League, will not play again until Sunday, October 19, against Al-Qadsiah, who sit second. Yet they insisted on having their player available as soon as possible. Technically, the club is within its rights: the FIFA international window ends on Tuesday, October 14. France are due to face Morocco in the semifinals on Wednesday, October 15, at 5 p.m.
When he called up Bouabre on September 28, French head coach Bernard Diomède faced several refusals from clubs. He made a special deal with the offensive midfielder, agreeing to keep him with the squad until the semifinal but not for the final, allowing him to return to Saudi Arabia in time for league duties. Diomède hoped Neom SC would show flexibility if France advanced deep into the competition.
SET AN EXAMPLE But Neom SC’s stance makes little sense. The Saudi club, managed by French coach Christophe Galtier, had already made the French staff wait for an entire week during the group stage, blocking their playmaker even though they had no matches scheduled in Saudi Arabia. They only allowed Bouabre to travel once the FIFA window officially began. The No. 9 missed several training sessions with Les Bleuets.
Last Monday, Bouabre spent 14 hours on the plane and landed in Santiago that evening. On Wednesday, he played 70 minutes still feeling the effects of jet lag against Japan. Bernard Diomède revealed after the quarter-final win over Norway — sealed by Bouabre’s two goals — how the young forward had pushed through exhaustion to deliver for his country.
On Sunday evening, after securing qualification for the semifinals, Diomède made a public appeal through AIPS, officially asking Neom SC to let his playmaker stay one more day in Chile. Negotiations began immediately. The response: a flat refusal.
“They want to set an example,” said a French official, who couldn’t understand the decision but seemed resigned.
A PLAYER CAUGHT IN BETWEEN And what about the player’s mindset after his club’s ruthless decision? “Saimon doesn’t want to put himself in a difficult position. He has to do what his club decides,” said a member of the French staff. “He’s always highly motivated when playing for the national team. I’m sure he would have loved to play this semifinal.”
Saimon Bouabre won’t play another U-20 World Cup. This brief visit to Chile could be his only experience at a FIFA World Cup in his career.
LUCAS MICHAL TO STEP UP Now the French team must look forward. Les Bleuets lose a spark who has been so valuable in their last two matches, dribbling, creating chances and scoring twice. “We still have two games to play, with 19 players instead of 21. It’s not ideal for managing rotations,” noted a member of the French staff.
“For both the player and the team, we must clarify the situation as soon as possible. We need to move forward calmly and prepare for the next match.”
Lucas Michal should regain his role as playmaker. The AS Monaco player, labelled “one to watch” before every game, started on the bench against Norway due to fatigue but has since recovered. He will now have to assume responsibility and lead the French attack, just as Saimon Bouabre did — briefly, but brilliantly.
Courtesy AIPS Media
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