World Cup winner coached by Eric Cantona has wonderkid son tipped for Premier League transfer

As a member of France’s Beach Soccer World Cup-winning squad, Mickael Pagis evidently has magic in his feet.

But it appears his son may be more befitting of the twinkle toes moniker.

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Pagis helped France take out the inaugural edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2005, where they beat Portugal in the final via penalty shootout.

Despite boasting a professional playing career that included stints at Strasbourg, Marseille and Rennes, Pagis was not the star attraction of the French beach soccer team.

Instead, that tag belonged to former Manchester United hero Eric Cantona, who acted as France’s player-coach.

Perhaps Pagis picked up a trick or two from Cantona during their time together in Brazil and passed it down to his son, Pablo.

Who is Pablo Pagis?

Pablo was just two years old when his dad became a World Cup winner.

But now, Pagis is a brilliant footballer in his own right and has been slamming the goals in for FC Lorient in Ligue 1.

The 23-year-old plays as an attacking midfielder and has eight goals from 21 league appearances, with only seven of his peers netting more this term.

However, European football expert Andy Brassell explained Pagis is far more than just a goalscorer.

Why Brassell has high wraps on Pagis

“Pagis is someone from great footballing stock,” Brassell told talkSPORT.com.

“His dad, Mickael, was a really good player. But I think, honestly, Pablo is technically on a completely different level to his dad.

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“He’s a forward who finds all sorts of different positions between midfield and the defence. He can shoot from range. He can go past players. He’s a good finisher within the penalty box. There’s so much to him.

“I just think when he gets to play with better players, he’ll go up a level further because he’s such an incredibly intelligent footballer.”

Brassell also hailed Pagis as the ‘technical leader’ behind Lorient’s ‘exciting’ attack that includes former Leeds target Bamba Dieng.

Where does Brassell believe Pagis could move to?

It’s why the respected pundit believes Pagis is destined for the bright lights of the Premier League and even name-dropped a specific club that could be a perfect fit for the 23-year-old.

“If he popped up at Bournemouth at some point, I would not be surprised at all,” Brassell said.

“Because the sort of player he is, he would fit exactly what they’re trying to do, I think. Add another layer to it.

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“But honestly, there’s a lot of big clubs that he could go and develop with.

“I think we probably will see him in the Premier League because the fact that he’s quick and athletic, and he can make difficult decisions at a high pace as well, will lean to him being very successful in the Premier League.”

Bournemouth’s transfer success in recent years

Bournemouth have proved themselves as shrewd operators in the transfer market having made just over £306million from six player sales since the 2024 summer window.

Chief among the exits was Ghanaian winger Antoine Semenyo, who moved to Manchester City in January for £62.5m.

It represented a major profit on the estimated £10m Bournemouth paid Bristol City for Semenyo in January 2023, underlining the Cherries’ ability to pick out talent.

However, Bournemouth haven’t missed Semenyo all that much thanks to the arrival of Brazilian winger Rayan.

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The 19-year-old joined Bournemouth from Vasco de Gama in a deal that could reach approximately north of £30m.

Bournemouth evidently have high hopes for Rayan having inserted a release clause of nearly £87m into his contract, although it only kicks in from his second season on the south coast.

Rayan has already made a serious impression on the Cherries faithful having scored twice and registered an assist in his first five Premier League fixtures.

With the Brazilian enjoying a bright start to life at the Vitality Stadium, perhaps Pagis will feel he could do similar should the Cherries swoop for him in the summer.