Rising French football talent Mathys Tel, aged 20, has candidly expressed his disappointment following his exclusion from Tottenham Hotspur`s UEFA Champions League squad. The decision was made by head coach Thomas Frank, and Tel shared his feelings in an interview with Le Télégramme.
Tel`s permanent transfer to Spurs this summer, valued at €40 million after a successful six-month loan from Bayern Munich, made his omission particularly striking. Despite the significant investment, he was not included on the club`s official UEFA roster for the prestigious competition. Instead, Coach Frank opted for an attacking lineup featuring Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, and Randal Kolo Muani, the latter being a last-minute deadline day acquisition.
“When you’re not on the list, of course it hurts,” Tel admitted, speaking before an upcoming match with France’s U23 squad against Serbia. He added, “But I stay positive whatever the situation. I’ve worked a lot on the mental side. It’s a disappointment, I would have liked to be there, but it’s the coach’s choice and you can only respect it and work to respond in the best way on the pitch.”
Tel is not new to high-stakes European football, having previously featured in Spurs’ Europa League triumph last May against Manchester United. He also came on as a substitute in the UEFA Super Cup defeat to PSG last month, an unfortunate match where he missed his penalty during the shootout.
Reflecting on his experiences, Tel emphasized the importance of resilience: “I have learned that no matter what the situation, you have to be patient. Sometimes there are things you deserve, but you don’t get them in return. So I have gained maturity and experience, and I think that today it has shaped my personality and character.”
