Marie-Antoinette Katoto, a Blue Queen of Paris

At only 23 years old, the tricolor striker, author of 19 goals in 23 games with Les Bleues, recently became the top scorer in the history of Paris Saint-Germain, beating Marie-Laure Delie’s record (130 goals) . Holder Wednesday against Finland in the first match of the Tournoi de France, it will still be an important element against the Brazilians, quarter-finalists at the last Olympic Games, Saturday, February 19. An astonishing tale of precocity, which was written in several chapters.

The Rough Diamond (2010-2013)

Born in 1998, a great year for French football, Marie-Antoinette Katoto put on her first cleats at the age of 7, in her hometown of Colombes. Diligent, the young “MAK” was noticed a few years later in 2010 by Laure Lepailleur, then an educator at Paris Saint-Germain.

From the height of her 12 springs, she thus integrates the young teams of the club of the capital. Trained alongside other very promising Ile-de-France residents, she is already at the top of the basket. Pierre-Yves Bodineau, former PSG youth coach now at the PSG Academy internationally, recalls: “We immediately distinguished Katoto, Geyoro, Lahmari, Couturier and Morroni.” An intuition, that of holding a rough diamond. Skillful goalscorer, she is quick to make the powder speak, and attracts attention at the highest level.

A “titi” among the big ones (2014-2017)

In 2014, PSG decided to have their “titis” sign seven youth contracts, who would now train twice a week with the A team. Katoto was one of the lucky ones. Then coach of the Paris Saint-Germain women’s pennant team, Farid Benstiti remembers his first steps in the big leagues. “She already exuded game intelligence in her placement, it’s innate. In all her palette, the first thing that struck me was her quality in front of goal: the volley game, the header game. All you had to do was throw it.” explains the French technician.

No question of grilling the steps so far. If these players train with high-ranking internationals, they continue to play as an U19 team at the weekend. But through hard work, Katoto was rewarded with a modest playing time. In 2014-2015, she played three games, including a very important one in the Champions League: her first professional appearance. “We played against Wolfsburg in the semi-final of the Champions League. She was on the bench. I told her to go warm up (in the 85th minute, editor’s note), she was shaking! She was non-existent, but it was understandable”remembers the former coach of OL Reign.

For two years, Katoto sailed between the U19 group and the first team to perfect her game. A conclusive choice since she won the U19 championship (2016), as well as the European championship in the same category, in which she finished best. goalscorer with six goals. The Parisian promise is then on the way to becoming a safe bet.

Between confirmation and disappointments (2017-2019)

His weapons made, and after a year 2017 marked by injuries, MAK can finally be launched in the deep end during the 2017-2018 season. At the dawn of her 19th birthday, she is the centerpiece of the professional team, which nevertheless includes Jennifer Hermoso and a certain Marie-Laure Delie in its ranks. With 21 goals scored in D1, the striker impressed to the point of being awarded the title of best hope of the championship.

But in the young France team, the situation is quite different. At the end of the season, during the U20 World Cup, the highly anticipated Katoto achieved mixed competition. “Everyone expected a lot from MAK, we were already aware of her qualities. Indeed, perhaps this pressure was too hasty for her. We obviously had a lot of expectations around her in this competition”, confides Gilles Eyquem, then coach.

Mute, the Parisian is singled out for her lack of influence in the game, but also for a missed penalty against Spain in the semi-final, which precipitated the elimination of the Bleuettes. Eyquem adds: “What happened in 2018 must have been a difficult and painful moment for her. This competition was the failure of the group, the staff and MAK must not take all the weight on their shoulders […] I tried to do my best but I failed in this task. She never knew how to do well in this competition.”he acknowledges.

An annoyance that does not prevent him from achieving a leading 2018-2019 season by scoring 30 goals, in all competitions, and by registering his first selections for the France A team. But while everything finally seems to smile on the Parisian, a shadow comes again to obscure his journey among the Blue. “It was a difficult choice, but I made this choice and I assume it”said Corinne Deacon on May 2, 2019. Marie-Antoinette Katoto, top scorer of the last year, is not on the list of 23 players called up for the 2019 World Cup in France.

The cause of this exclusion? The lack of impact during major meetings of the one who only had four selections. “I made a strong choice, I know it, Marie-Antoinette was eagerly awaited, I favor the group. […] Others showed a little more”, justified the coach. A great disappointment, on which the young PSG striker will intelligently capitalize.

Return to Grace (2019-2021)

After her non-selection, Marie-Antoinette Katoto is more than discreet on the media scene, not wishing to fuel the debates. For Gilles Eyquem, the choicex of Deacon could be justified. “I think Corinne saw this difficulty in living in the group, in participating in the group. It led to a choice which, for me, was the appropriate choice as long as it could only go in the direction of help MAK. I think that this point of personality must still disturb her today. I think that she must free herself completely. She is an exceptional player and in view of her qualities, we want to see her fully blossom on the pitch and in the locker room.”

On her new call for the Euro qualifiers, in October 2019, Corinne Deacon makes things clear: “There will be no special treatment for Marie-Antoinette. She will not have any pressure. Me, I will not put any on her in any case.” Since that date, Katoto has been much more decisive in selection, with a total of 19 goals scored, including five doubles and a hat-trick. Figurehead of the PSG attack, MAK also won her first title of champion of France in 2021, after a shortened 2020 season.

Discreet but strong in character, Katoto has bounced back from her misadventures. For Gilles Eyquem, the Ile-de-France striker has not yet reached her full potential. “No, she hasn’t matured yet. I will expect even more generosity in the effort. I think she can hurt anyone. She exudes such strength, such power that you always want to see more. She must be even more scary”he says.

2022 and then goes?

2022 will undoubtedly be a pivotal year for Katoto’s career. In addition to the hope of playing Euro 2022 and finally confirming in official competition, MAK will also have to make important decisions for his future at the club.

At the end of the contract in June 2022 with PSG, she could see other doors open. After eleven years spent in the capital, could she consider leaving the fold? Nothing less certain for Farid Benstiti: “If he wants to keep her, Paris Saint-Germain will keep Marie-Antoinette Katoto. If she leaves, it won’t be a financial decision, it will be to discover something else. She’s a real Parisian, a real PSG supporter If the sports project is viable at PSG, she will stay”he warns.

Today on the roof of Paris but tomorrow perhaps elsewhere, Marie-Antoinette Katoto has probably not finished dreaming bigger.

By Lucie Bou and Marie Diémé @lequipiere