Moses Simon Earns Ligue 1 Team of the Week Spot After Stellar Display

Moses Simon’s brilliance on the pitch has been recognised once again, as he secured a place in the French Ligue 1 Team of the Week following a standout performance for Nantes.

The Nigerian forward overcame an injury scare ahead of the fixture and proved his resilience by delivering a commanding display against Lens. His impact was highlighted in the 60th minute when he confidently converted a penalty after Jean-Charles Castelletto’s shot was handled inside the box, extending Nantes’ advantage.

In the Team of the Week lineup, Simon was positioned on the left wing in a 4-3-3 formation, with Gaëtan Laborde of OGC Nice occupying the centre-forward role and Irvin Cardona from AS Saint-Étienne deployed on the right. The midfield trio featured Zakaria Aboukhlal (Toulouse), Hicham Boudaoui (OGC Nice), and Pierre Ekwah (Saint-Étienne).

Simon’s influence in the match went beyond just his goal. He registered two shots, with one on target, created a key pass, and completed a game-high five successful dribbles just one less than the entire Lens team combined. Additionally, he was the joint-most fouled player, winning three free kicks, and achieved an impressive 90% pass accuracy. His overall display earned him a remarkable rating of 8.25.

So far this season, Simon has been directly involved in 13 Ligue 1 goals, scoring six and assisting seven, further underlining his importance to the Nantes attack.

Editorial

Moses Simon’s continued excellence in the French Ligue 1 serves as a reminder of his immense talent and consistency. Week after week, he demonstrates the qualities of an elite winger speed, skill, and composure in key moments. His inclusion in the Team of the Week is well deserved, given how much he contributes both in attack and through his overall playmaking ability.

His performance against Lens encapsulates what makes him such a vital asset. Not only did he score, but his movement, passing, and dribbling kept the opposition defence on high alert. A 90% pass accuracy for an attacking player highlights his efficiency in possession while winning multiple fouls shows how difficult he is to contain.

For Nigeria, Simon remains an invaluable figure in the national team setup. His ability to influence games from wide areas makes him one of the country’s most reliable attacking threats. As he continues to deliver for Nantes, discussions about a potential move to a bigger European club may resurface. His statistics this season prove he can perform at a high level, and clubs in the top five leagues will surely take notice.

Simon’s presence in Nantes’ squad has been instrumental, and if he maintains this form, more accolades will undoubtedly follow. His consistency and work rate set an example for young Nigerian players aspiring to make an impact in European football.

Did You Know?

1. Moses Simon started his professional career in Slovakia with AS Trenčín before moving to Belgium’s KAA Gent, where he won the league title.
2. He was part of Nigeria’s squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup but missed out on the tournament due to injury.
3. Nantes, where Simon plays, is one of the most successful clubs in France, having won eight Ligue 1 titles.
4. The club’s home ground, Stade de la Beaujoire, hosted matches during the 1998 FIFA World Cup, including Brazil’s 3-2 victory over Denmark in the quarterfinals.
5. Simon has won the Belgian Pro League, the French Cup, and the Nigerian Footballer of the Year award during his career.