Warren Zaïre Emery

Who Is Warren Zaïre-Emery?

Warren Marie Jean-Pierre Zaïre-Emery is a French professional footballer. He was born on March 8, 2006, in Montreuil, France. He plays as a central midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team.

Throughout his career, Zaïre-Emery has won 15 titles, including the UEFA Champions League (2024/25 and 2025/26), four Ligue 1 titles, four Trophée des Champions, two Coupe de France, the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the UEFA U17 Championship with France.

He has shattered age records at PSG and for the French national team. Because of this, he is widely regarded as one of the most exciting footballers of his generation.

Early Life: Montreuil, Martinique Roots, and a Footballing Family

Family and Heritage

Warren Zaïre-Emery was born in Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis, France. His father, Franck Emery, was born in Aubervilliers and was also a footballer, having played with Red Star in Seine-Saint-Denis.

His mother, Gessie Zaïre, is of Martiniquais descent. Therefore, Warren carries both French and Caribbean heritage — a blend that connects him deeply to the rich culture of the French Antilles.

Football was in the family. His father is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Red Star Football Club in Seine-Saint-Denis and later represented FCM Aubervilliers. His father’s football background means Warren grew up in a household where the game was well understood and well supported.

The Boy From Aubervilliers

The four-year-old Warren was allowed to join Aubervilliers on the proviso that he could tie his own shoelaces — he could — and he has been performing ahead of the curve ever since.

He played at Aubervilliers from 2011 to 2014. Furthermore, he played at the very same club where his father had previously played. This family connection made his early years in football a deeply personal story.

Scouted by PSG at Age Eight

Already a standout player for Aubervilliers, Zaïre-Emery was quickly scouted by Paris Saint-Germain, signing with the club from the capital in 2014.

He joined the PSG academy at just eight years old. He stayed there for eight years. That journey — from the suburbs of Paris to the first team of one of Europe’s biggest clubs — is the story of extraordinary discipline and natural talent.

Youth Career: Rising Through the PSG Academy

Dominating the Youth Ranks

Warren moved through every level of the PSG youth system with ease. He regularly played in age groups above his own. His intelligence, technical quality, and composure on the ball made him stand out from the start.

At the age of 15, he was already a key player in the PSG U-19 team, helping the side reach the round of 16 in the Youth League and being decisive twice against Club Brugge.

UEFA U-17 European Championship Winner (2022)

In 2022, Warren won the UEFA European U-17 Championship with France and was named the best player of the tournament.

This was a landmark moment. He was not just a promising talent — he was a champion. Moreover, he was the best player at the competition. The senior game was calling.

Professional Career: Record-Breaking Debut and Beyond

First Professional Contract and Historic Debut (2022)

In July 2022, Zaïre-Emery signed his first professional contract with PSG — a three-year deal until June 30, 2025.

On August 6, 2022, he became the youngest player ever to make their competitive debut for PSG, aged 16 years, four months and 30 days, overtaking his former academy teammate El Chadaille Bitshiabu.

He came on as a substitute in a 5–0 win away to Clermont. That day, everything changed.

Champions League Debut: Another Record Falls

On October 25, 2022, Zaïre-Emery made his UEFA Champions League debut, becoming the youngest player in PSG history to participate in the tournament.

He did not stop there. He also established himself as the youngest player in UEFA Champions League history to start a knockout phase match.

First Senior Goal (February 2023)

On February 1, 2023, Zaïre-Emery scored his first senior goal, coming off the bench to cap off a 3–1 victory.

At 16 years old, he had already scored for one of the world’s biggest football clubs. Furthermore, he had already played in knockout Champions League football. It was a debut season unlike any other.

The 2023/24 Season: An Essential Player Under Luis Enrique

The 2023/24 season was where Warren truly arrived as a footballer.

On August 26, 2023, Zaïre-Emery recorded his first assist for PSG — a pass that made him the youngest PSG player to record a Ligue 1 assist since Opta began analysing this data in 2006.

Additionally, on October 4, Zaïre-Emery assisted Lucas Hernandez’s header in a 4–1 Champions League defeat away to Newcastle United, making him the youngest French and PSG player to record an assist in the competition.

Youngest PSG Scorer in the Champions League (December 2023)

A few weeks after his France debut, another record fell when he became Paris Saint-Germain’s youngest ever scorer in the Champions League at 17 years and 280 days, grabbing the equaliser against Borussia Dortmund in a 1–1 draw on December 13, 2023.

Contract Extension Until 2029

Warren Zaïre-Emery signed a new contract in 2024, keeping him at PSG until 2029. “I’m so proud and happy to continue my adventure with the club I’ve been with since the start — Paris Saint-Germain — my boyhood club,” he said.

Manchester City and Bayern Munich had reportedly both been pushing to sign him, but Warren chose to stay

The 2024/25 and 2025/26 Seasons: Champions of Europe

The trophies kept coming. Zaïre-Emery won the UEFA Champions League with PSG in both the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons — the ultimate prize in club football, claimed twice before the age of 21.

In the 2025/2026 Ligue 1 season, Zaïre-Emery appeared in 32 games for Paris Saint-Germain, scored three goals, and provided four assists.

As of 2026, Zaïre-Emery has played 118 times in Ligue 1 overall, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists.

International Career: Third-Youngest Debutant in France’s History

Youth International Journey

Warren represented France at every youth level from the U-16 upward. He captained the France U-21 team. He earned the respect of Thierry Henry, who managed the U-21 side and famously said that “the sky is the limit” for the PSG midfielder.

Senior France Debut: Goal on Day One (November 2023)

Warren made his senior France debut on November 18, 2023, starting the match against Gibraltar in a 14–0 victory. At the age of 17 years and 255 days, he became the youngest player since 1914 to wear the shirt of Les Bleus, celebrating his first cap alongside his first goal.

Therefore, he is France’s third-youngest debutant ever. Moreover, he is the second-youngest goalscorer in the team’s history. He scored on his very first appearance for his country.

2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification

By 2026, Zaïre-Emery has been selected for France in the 2026 World Cup UEFA qualification campaign, cementing his place in Didier Deschamps’s long-term plans.

Career Statistics Summary

Club Career — PSG (Senior)

Season	Appearances	Goals	Assists
2022/23	26	2	0
2023/24	26	2	3
2024/25	29	1	1
2025/26	32	3	4
Total (to Oct 2026)	~113+	8+	8+

International Career — France Senior

Period	Caps	Goals
2023–2026	13	1

Trophy Cabinet

Warren Zaïre-Emery has won 15 titles in his career so far:

Trophy	Years Won
UEFA Champions League	2024/25, 2025/26
Ligue 1	2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25, 2025/26
Trophée des Champions	2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25, 2025/26
Coupe de France	2023/24, 2024/25
UEFA Super Cup	2025/26
FIFA Intercontinental Cup	2025
UEFA U-17 European Championship	2022 (with France U-17)

Individual Awards and Honours

Warren Zaïre-Emery has earned numerous individual honours, including the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, Ligue 1 Team of the Year, and the Titi d’Or — PSG’s award for their best academy player.

Additionally, Zaïre-Emery ranked No. 10 on ESPN’s list of the best under-21 players in world football.

Playing Style: The Complete Central Midfielder

Warren Zaïre-Emery plays as a central midfielder. He is right-footed. He wears the number 33 shirt at PSG.

His former PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino promoted him to first-team training as a teenager. Former PSG midfielder Mathieu Bodmer, on seeing Zaïre-Emery train, said: “The term phenomenon applies to Warren.”

Personal Life: The Paris Kid Who Chose to Stay

Warren grew up in the eastern suburbs of Paris.

He has three siblings. He was raised by his parents, Franck Emery and Gessie Zaïre, and grew up with three siblings.

Beyond football, he is known to be a hardcore fan of the NBA. He keeps his personal romantic life private. His focus remains firmly on his football career.