Mezian Mesloub Soares is a French-born Portuguese youth international who plays as an attacking midfielder for RC Lens. Born in Martigues on 8 November 2009, he comes from a multicultural and sporting family. His father is former Algerian international footballer Walid Mesloub, while his mother is Portuguese.
Mezian’s family background connects France, Algeria and Portugal. He was raised in France, inherited Algerian heritage through his father and qualified to represent Portugal through his mother. Although his father is a recognizable football figure, the identities of his mother and possible siblings remain private.
Who Are Mezian Soares’s Parents?
Mezian Soares is the son of former professional footballer Walid Mesloub and a Portuguese mother whose name has not been publicly disclosed. His parents’ different backgrounds explain his eligibility to represent France, Algeria or Portugal internationally.
Walid was born in France and represented Algeria at senior international level. Mezian’s mother provides the Portuguese side of his family heritage, which allowed the young midfielder to join Portugal’s youth national teams.
The family has played an important role in Mezian’s development. His father has guided him with the experience gained from a long professional career, while his mother’s Portuguese background has contributed significantly to his international identity.
Who Is Mezian Soares’s Father, Walid Mesloub?
Mezian Soares’s father is Walid Mesloub, a retired midfielder who played professional football in France and Qatar. Born in Trappes on 4 September 1985, Walid began his senior career with Levallois before representing Istres, Le Havre, Lorient, RC Lens and Umm Salal.
Walid spent four seasons with Le Havre and later became an established Ligue 1 player at Lorient. He joined Lens in January 2018 and developed an especially strong relationship with the northern French club.
During his Lens career, Walid became a respected senior figure and wore the captain’s armband. The official RC Lens website credits him with 67 appearances for the club.
Walid also represented Algeria internationally, earning seven senior caps between 2010 and 2016. His international career gave Mezian a direct connection to the Algerian national team as well as eligibility through descent.
After retiring as a player, Walid moved into coaching and worked with the Lens youth structure. This kept him close to the club where his son was progressing through the academy.
How Walid Mesloub Influenced His Son’s Career
Walid Mesloub’s professional experience has given Mezian access to valuable advice from someone who understands the demands of elite football. However, his public comments indicate that the family has tried to keep the young player grounded rather than placing unnecessary pressure on him.
That approach became evident when Mezian made his Ligue 1 debut against Nantes in May 2026. Walid advised his son to enjoy the occasion if selected and to demonstrate his ability. He also offered the practical reminder to arrive on time for the team meetings.
Mezian entered the match in the 79th minute and scored with his first touch only seconds later. The winning goal secured Lens’s return to the UEFA Champions League and produced an emotional moment for the entire family.
Speaking after the match, Walid expressed his pride but emphasized that his son’s development was only beginning. According to L’Équipe, he said the family would continue accompanying Mezian while recognizing that a long journey remained ahead.
Who Is Mezian Soares’s Mother?
The name and occupation of Mezian Soares’s mother have not been revealed by reliable public sources. Official RC Lens material confirms that she is Portuguese and that Mezian obtained Portuguese nationality through her.
Her nationality has had an important influence on her son’s international career. Although Mezian was born in France and also has Algerian heritage, he accepted an opportunity to represent Portugal at youth level.
In April 2025, Mezian made his first appearance for Portugal’s under-16 team. He subsequently progressed to the under-17 category, continuing his development within the Portuguese national-team system.
Because his mother is a private individual, names circulating without support from the family, his club or established Portuguese media should not be presented as fact.
Who Is Mezian Soares’s Maternal Grandfather?
Mezian Soares’s maternal grandfather is named Felizardo Soares. Portuguese newspaper A Bola identified him while reporting on the youngster’s memorable Ligue 1 debut.
Felizardo has publicly shown pride in his grandson’s achievements, including interacting with posts about his football development. The surname Soares comes from the maternal side of Mezian’s family and reflects his Portuguese ancestry.
This family connection helps explain why Mezian uses both Mesloub and Soares in his complete name. Mesloub connects him to his Algerian father, while Soares represents his Portuguese maternal heritage.
Does Mezian Soares Have Any Siblings?
There is no reliable public information confirming whether Mezian Soares has brothers or sisters. Neither RC Lens nor established interviews with Walid Mesloub have documented the number or identities of any siblings.
This does not prove that Mezian is an only child. It means only that information about possible siblings has remained within the family’s private life.
No other footballer should be identified as Mezian’s brother or relative simply because of a matching surname. The Mesloub and Soares surnames alone are not sufficient to establish a family relationship.
Does Mezian Soares Have a Girlfriend?
There is no verified public information about Mezian Soares having a girlfriend. Because he is still a teenage academy player, reliable coverage appropriately concentrates on his football development rather than attempting to document private relationships.
Mezian has not publicly introduced a partner, and established French or Portuguese sports publications have not identified one. Speculation based on social-media activity should therefore be avoided.
Is Mezian Soares Married?
Mezian Soares is not publicly known to be married. No official announcement or reliable report identifies him as having a wife.
Given his age and the absence of any public confirmation, claims concerning a marriage should be treated as inaccurate unless supported by a direct statement in the future.
Does Mezian Soares Have Children?
There is no public evidence that Mezian Soares has children. Official profiles and reputable reports about the young midfielder do not mention a son or daughter.
His public story currently concerns his education, academy development, first professional appearances and progression through Portugal’s youth teams.
Mezian Soares’s French, Algerian and Portuguese Heritage
Mezian was born in Martigues in southern France and spent his formative years in the French football system. His father was also born in France but represented Algeria, while his mother comes from a Portuguese family.
This background made Mezian eligible for three national teams. He was initially considered within the French youth setup before beginning to represent Portugal in 2025.
His choice of Portugal reflects his connection to his mother and maternal grandfather. However, appearances at youth level do not necessarily determine a player’s permanent senior international future under every circumstance.
The young midfielder’s family therefore represents three countries that have shaped his identity: France provided his birthplace and football education, Algeria is connected to his father’s heritage and international career, and Portugal comes through his mother’s family.
How Mezian Soares Followed His Father to Lens
Mezian began playing football in Brittany, spending two seasons with FC Plœmeur before entering the FC Lorient youth system. His father was playing for Lorient during part of that period, creating an early link between Walid’s career and his son’s development.
When Walid moved to Lens, Mezian also joined the Lens academy in 2018. He spent eight years at La Gaillette before signing his first professional contract in July 2026.
This unusual journey allowed Mezian to develop at two clubs previously represented by his father. At Lens, he trained within the same institution where Walid had served as captain and later worked with younger players.
Former goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca recalled knowing Mezian from childhood because of his friendship with Walid. This illustrates how closely the young player grew up around the Lens football community.
How Mezian Soares Made His Family Proud
Mezian’s senior debut created one of the most memorable family moments of the 2025/26 Ligue 1 season. Called into the professional squad because of injuries, the 16-year-old started the match against Nantes on the bench.
Seconds after entering the field, he converted his first opportunity and scored the only goal of the match. Reuters reported that his father watched proudly from the stands as the goal guaranteed Champions League football for Lens.
Walid later said that he had known what his son could do but had not expected him to make such an immediate impact. He described himself as proud first and foremost as a father, adding that the entire family shared that emotion.
The celebration did not change the family’s measured approach. Walid emphasized work, patience and continued development, showing that the focus remained on helping Mezian manage the expectations created by his remarkable debut.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mezian Soares’s Family
Who is Mezian Soares’s father?
Mezian Soares’s father is Walid Mesloub, a former professional midfielder who represented Algeria and played for clubs including Le Havre, Lorient and RC Lens.
Who is Mezian Soares’s mother?
Mezian’s mother is Portuguese, but her name and occupation have not been publicly disclosed by reliable sources.
Who is Mezian Soares’s grandfather?
His Portuguese maternal grandfather is named Felizardo Soares. He has publicly expressed pride in his grandson’s football achievements.
Does Mezian Soares have siblings?
No trustworthy source has confirmed whether Mezian has brothers or sisters. Information about possible siblings remains private.
Does Mezian Soares have a girlfriend?
Mezian has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. Reliable media sources do not identify a current partner.
Is Mezian Soares married?
No. Mezian Soares is not publicly known to be married.
Does Mezian Soares have children?
There is no public evidence that Mezian Soares has children.
What is Mezian Soares’s full name?
His full name is Mezian Mesloub Soares.
Where was Mezian Soares born?
He was born in Martigues, France, on 8 November 2009.
Why does Mezian Soares represent Portugal?
Mezian qualifies for Portugal through his Portuguese mother. He began representing the country at under-16 level in 2025 and later progressed to the under-17 team.
Is Mezian Soares Algerian?
Mezian has Algerian heritage through his father, former Algeria international Walid Mesloub. He was born in France and represents Portugal at youth level through his mother.

Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
