Antoine Mendy

Antoine Mendy is a young French defender who has come through Nice's academy and established himself in their first-team setup, making him one of the more promising defensive prospects in Ligue 1. At just 22, his entire senior career has been with Nice, which speaks to the club's faith in him but also means his experience at the highest level remains limited. Eligible for Senegal through his heritage, he represents the next generation of the Lions' defensive options — a player being developed for the future rather than a guaranteed starter at the 2026 tournament.