Former Messi team-mate set to shine for Augsburg?

Data correct as of 9 September 2025

Ismaël Gharbi
Age: 21 (born 10 April 2004)
Club: Augsburg
Position: Winger
Country: Tunisia (two senior caps)

Key stats

Born in the French capital to a Tunisian father and a Spanish mother, Gharbi spent six years with Paris FC as a youngster before joining the Paris Saint-Germain Academy in 2016. He first came to global attention at the 2020 Alkass International Cup – an annual Under-17 football competition in Doha featuring some of the game’s most talented youngsters.

Gharbi scored five times at the tournament – including in the semi-final against Inter Milan – as PSG finished third. He continued to impress at youth level and got his reward in April 2021, when first-team head coach Mauricio Pochettino included him in the matchday squad for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich.

Gharbi was an unused substitute in PSG’s 3-2 win at the Allianz Arena but did not have to wait long for his senior debut, coming off the bench as Pochettino’s team lost 1-0 to Lille in the Trophée des Champions – the French equivalent of the Supercup – in August.

After making his Ligue 1 bow in a 2-2 draw with Troyes on 8 May 2022, Gharbi signed his first professional contract with the club a little over a month later. He made six league appearances the following season as Christophe Galtier’s team – spearheaded by a mouth-watering front three of Messi, Mbappé and Neymar – cruised to the Ligue 1 title.

Still a teenager, Gharbi was loaned to Swiss Super League side Stade Lausanne Ouchy for the 2023/24 campaign. He was unable to help the club avoid relegation but registered 13 goal involvements in 31 appearances in all competitions, earning himself a permanent move to Portuguese club Braga in August 2024.

As well as featuring in all but one of Braga’s UEFA Europa League fixtures last term, Gharbi registered four goals and four assists in the league to help the club finish fourth behind Portugal’s nominal big three of Sporting, Benfica and Porto, clinching a return to the Europa League in the process.

Gharbi represented both France and Spain at youth level but requested to change his international allegiance to Tunisia in August this year. He earned his first senior cap for the Eagles of Carthage in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Libya on 4 September, entering the fray in the second half as the north African side triumphed 3-0.

He came off the bench again in their next game against Equatorial Guinea, helping Tunisia see out a 1-0 win which booked their place at next year’s tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Plays a bit like: Riyad Mahrez

Without wanting Augsburg fans to get too carried away, you can tell Gharbi has had the privilege of watching Messi at close quarters. His delicate first touch, exquisite dribbling, close control and precise passing are not only reminiscent of his former PSG team-mate, but of another north African player who took Europe by storm not so long ago – former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez.

Did you know?

When Messi first arrived in Paris in August 2021, Gharbi was too shy to introduce himself to the Argentine superstar. With a little encouragement from Pochettino, the then 17-year-old soon plucked up the courage to say hello to his childhood idol before a training session, telling him in Spanish: “If you need anything, I’m here for you.”

What they’re saying

“In Ismaël, we’ve signed an attacking player who is also an accomplished dribbler. Despite being just 21 years old, he already has experience of playing at the highest level. His excellent ability in one-v-one situations and versatility will be a huge asset to our game.” – Benni Weber, Augsburg sporting director

“When the offer came from Augsburg, it was clear to me that I wanted to take this opportunity. Augsburg are an ambitious club whose style of play suits me very well. I’m really looking forward to playing in the Bundesliga, and I want to impress on the pitch with my mentality and creativity.” – Gharbi on his move to Augsburg