Hannibal Mejbri: Wonderkid will represent Tunisia at World Cup after France snub

Mejbri, who is currently on loan at Birmingham City, was named in Tunisia's 26-man squad for the tournament.

Advertisement

The 19-year-old has impressed in the Championship this season and will go to the world's biggest competition to show his talents.

After representing France at youth level, he will now come up against the country of his birth at the World Cup with Tunisia in Group D.

Who is Hannibal Mejbri?

Advertisement

Born on January 21, 2003 in a suburb of Paris, Mejbri started his football career with Paris FC in 2009.

The attacking midfielder spent time with France's famous Clairefontaine academy, before joining AS Monaco.

Mejbri was then scouted by Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, with the Gunners also taking the player on trial.

With interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, the player moved to Old Trafford in 2019 for a reported fee of €5million, possibly rising to €10 million in add-ons.

Advertisement

Impressing at Man United

After moving to Man United, Mejbri wasted little time in making an impression as he established himself as a regular player in the under-23s side, despite being just 17 years of age.

An unnamed source told The Athletic: "He actually takes the p*** sometimes against players a couple of years older than him. He'll feint to strike then drag it and shoot the other way."

Advertisement

As well as making four appearances in the EFL Trophy, the midfielder was handed his senior debut in the final match of the 2020/21 season as he played eight minutes against Wolves.

Mejbri made two more appearances in the Premier League a year later before securing a loan move to Birmingham City this summer.

Advertisement

Switching allegiance

Advertisement

In May 2021, Mejbri made the decision to represent Tunisia on the international stage.

He made the switch to the country in which his parents were born despite making multiple appearances for France at youth level.

When his change was announced, the midfielder received a superstar welcome.

Mejbri was revealed on a huge stage and he walked out in front of a crowd to hold a Tunisia shirt alongside flashing lights and flames.

Advertisement

He has made 18 appearances in total since his dramatic unveiling and also played a part in the African Cup of Nations earlier this year.

Training ground antics

After AFCON, news broke of a heated training ground bust-up at the Man United training ground.

Advertisement

Reports of the incident which left fellow squad members 'stunned' led to questions of who the two players involved were.

The Dail Mail then claimed that the players were Mejbri and left-back Alex Telles.

Then Red Devils boss Ralf Rangnick was reported to have had to step in and bring the training session to an end after the scuffle.

The 19-year-old has built a reputation of being a full-blooded player who gives his all in every game.

Advertisement

Although this does mean he is cautioned regularly and he has continued his aggressive streak at Birmingham, receiving four yellow cards in the opening half of the season.

World Cup call-up

Mejbri's consistently aggressive nature is one of his key assets and his form with Birmingham has led to him receiving a call-up for the World Cup.

Advertisement

He is set to feature for his country in Group D against Denmark, Australia and the nation he formerly represented, France.

The youngster will face the holders in Tunisia's final game of the group stage on Wednesday, November 30.