VIDEO THRILLS THE ELLAND ROAD STAR

Keeper’s exploits against some of world’s best like fantasy to Meslier family

BY DAVID ANDERSON

ILLAN MESLIER is starring in his own version of FIFA 22 by playing for Leeds in the Premier League. Meslier’s family and friends back in Brittany cannot believe he is up against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Mo Salah and Kevin De Bruyne. Tomorrow he faces Harry Kane, and the France Under-21 goalkeeper said: “Sometimes when I say I played against this player they say, ‘Wow, that’s crazy and unbelievable’. For them, it’s like that only happens on FIFA and video games. They can’t imagine what I live. “Honestly, it’s not every player that can live like I live. For them it’s like a dream. For me it’s the reality.”

Meslier’s nearest and dearest are stunned because his rise was so meteoric. He was an unheralded rookie when he joined Leeds initially on loan from his hometown club, Ligue 2 Lorient, in August 2019. Meslier made his league debut at 19 in February 2020 and kept eight clean sheets in 10

Championship games to become Leeds No.1 as Marcelo Bielsa’s side stormed to the title.

“Of course, to come to another country is never easy,” he said. “I didn’t speak English but sometimes you have to go out of your comfort zone.

“I keep working hard all the time and the opportunity arrived at a good moment.”

While Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford and Raphinha receive much of the praise for Leeds’ success under Bielsa, Meslier (above) has largely gone unnoticed outside of Elland Road.

Yet his shut-out against Manchester United in April at the age of 21 years and 54 days broke Joe Hart’s record as the youngest keeper to reach double figures for clean sheets in the Premier League.

Leeds defender Luke Ayling believes Meslier, who cost just £5.8million, has the potential to become the world’s best keeper which is the Frenchman’s aim.

“If not, I shouldn’t be here,” he added. “If that wasn’t my target, I’d play in a lower division. I want to be the best. Since I was younger, that’s been my target.

“Marcelo Bielsa gave me my opportunity. I want to be the best and I work very hard every day to try and achieve this target.”

France No.1 Hugo Lloris will be at the other end for Spurs tomorrow but Germany’s Manuel Neuer had a bigger influence. “He’s more one of my examples,” added Meslier.