Mexès makes consulting debut and advocates for Ganiou in France squad

Philippe Mexès made his football consulting debut during the opening weekend of Ligue 1, joining the Sunday panel alongside his former international teammate Adil Rami. The former Roma and AC Milan defender joins a consulting team that already includes Benoît Cheyrou, Guillaume Hoarau, Souleymane Diawara and Benjamin Nivet.

Mexès is not the only summer recruit: Abou Diaby, also a product of AJ Auxerre, made his debut the same weekend, present at Bollaert for RC Lens’s emphatic victory over his former club (5-2). Clément Grenier had opened the door the previous week during the Trophée des champions between RC Lens and PSG. Diaby kept a low profile during his first broadcast appearance, while Mexès benefited from the reassuring setting of the Sunday panel, presented by Thibaut Le Rol, and the presence of Rami, his former central defensive partner for France under Laurent Blanc.

The former international was quick to make a notable statement: he advocated for Ismaëlo Ganiou to be called up to the French national team. The 21-year-old RC Lens centre-back clearly impressed him, both during the Trophée des champions against PSG and on Saturday against Auxerre, where he scored a goal. “I think it would be a great opportunity for the French team. I’m discovering him, I didn’t know him much before, I’m being honest, but he really impressed me in that match and it would be a shame not to give him this experience,” Mexès said, adding: “There are many defenders, but already to give him a taste of the French team and give him a bit more confidence, I think he would deserve something if he continues like this. He’s on the right path.”

Ganiou indeed had a full first season with Lens after a spell in Ligue 2 in 2024-2025, playing 29 matches across all competitions and scoring three goals. He notably distinguished himself in the Coupe de France final, won against OGC Nice (3-1) on May 22 at Stade de France, where he held his own as a defensive cornerstone. Mexès’s comments sparked numerous negative reactions on X, but this is precisely the kind of forthright stance that gives a consultant credibility.