Nigerian-born teenager George Ilenikhena says he is prepared to shoulder greater responsibility for AS Monaco as the club attempts to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Lens when they visit Stade Rennais on Saturday evening in Brittany, Soccernet.ng reports.
Both sides enter the weekend separated by just two points after 12 matchdays. Rennes sit eighth in the table after a narrow 1–0 victory at Paris FC, while Monaco, two places above them in sixth, are still licking their wounds from a bruising 4–1 defeat at home to Lens just before the November international break.
With Ligue 1 McDonald’s resuming and momentum on the line, all eyes are on how the Principality side react.
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Monaco look to reset after Lens defeat
Monaco’s home loss to Lens, compounded by the late red card shown to striker Folarin Balogun minutes after he had scored, has forced manager Adi Hütter into key attacking decisions.
Balogun’s suspension opens a slot up front, and 19-year-old Ilenikhena may be the biggest beneficiary.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Lagos-born striker, eligible for both Nigeria and France, said he is ready to seize any opportunity offered.
“I’m ready,” Ilenikhena said as per One Football. “I work every day to be in the best possible shape when the coach calls on me. This weekend, Balo is suspended, so it will surely come down to Mika Biereth or me. The competition is good and healthy, and I’m ready for it.
“My goal is also to move away from that ‘super-sub’ label and help the team as a starter just as much as I do when I come on. That comes through daily work, training, and really showing the coach that I want to start a match and do what I know how to do on the pitch.”
Beyond the battle for places, Monaco could also receive a psychological lift from the possible return of Paul Pogba, who has not played a competitive match for more than two years following a doping ban.
There is quiet hope in the Monaco camp that the World Cup winner may log some minutes at Roazhon Park. Ilenikhena says Pogba already looks sharp in training and continues to serve as a calming influence.
“Paul is very hungry,” Ilenikhena added. “You can see he wants to play and get back on the pitch quickly after this long absence. He still has his technique and that passing quality he hasn’t lost. He calms the game like before and helps us a lot, especially the younger ones. Have I scored goals from his passes in training? A few, yes (smiles).”
Nigerian teen striker reflects on Barcelona heroics
For Ilenikhena, these interactions form part of a journey that already includes one of the most memorable introductions to European football: scoring twice against Barcelona in the Champions League for two different clubs.
First, he stunned Barcelona on 13 December 2023, scoring an added-time winner for Royal Antwerp to seal the Belgian side’s first-ever Champions League victory.
Then, on 19 September 2024, he repeated the feat, this time for Monaco, grabbing the decisive goal in a 2–1 win Monaco’s first Champions League triumph of the season.
Reflecting on last season’s strike, he said:
“Yes, it’s one of the best goals I’ve scored since arriving. I hope many more will follow. The Champions League has a special flavour. It’s the biggest European competition and every player wants to shine in those matches.”
Born in Lagos and raised in Antony after arriving in France at the age of three, Ilenikhena remains eligible for Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Despite his form, he is still awaiting a first senior call-up.
