While Matthias Phaëton was born in Colombes, in metropolitan France, and represented the two-time world champions at youth level, there is no doubt where his allegiance now lies – firmly with Guadeloupe.
Since making his debut for the Caribbean side – where his father was born – five years ago, the forward has earned 34 caps and scored 12 goals, including at three editions of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2021, 2023 and, most recently, 2025.
“My father is from Guadeloupe. It’s a special country with a difficult history,” said Matthias of the island where French internationals such as Lilian Thuram and Thomas Lemar were born.
“Whenever we have the opportunity to represent Guadeloupe in competitions such as the Gold Cup, it means a lot to us. It’s something that makes me really proud.”
A French overseas archipelago known for its stunning scenery, beaches and coral reefs, Guadeloupe also has a complex history shaped by colonialism, slavery, and economic inequality.
Matthias’s deep affinity with the island was further demonstrated recently when he organised the inaugural Matthias Phaëton Street Cup, personally covering expenses of around €4,000. The free-to-enter eight-a-side tournament brought together 12 teams and gave young people a platform to play, express themselves and enjoy the game.
Revealing that it is an initiative he intends to stage annually, Matthias explained, “It’s for people to enjoy themselves on the pitch and have a good time together. Everything is free. Just play and enjoy. It’s like a party, a fiesta.”
While fiercely proud to be Guadeloupean, Matthias also looks back fondly on representing France at Under-16 and Under-17 level, where he played alongside current Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni.
“It was a great experience to play for a top national team like France, and it was an honour to play alongside Aurélien,” he said. “He’s a really good guy, and we still keep in touch.
“He invited me to watch a game in Madrid two years ago. For me, he’s the best number six in the world, and I don’t say that just because he’s my friend.”
Matthias first established himself in French football, making close to 90 appearances in Ligue 2 and featuring four times in the top-tier Ligue 1 for Guingamp, where he signed his first professional contract.
He later joined Bulgaria’s most successful club, CSKA Sofia, and spent two seasons there before moving on loan to Swiss side FC Zürich for the 2025/26 campaign, scoring eight goals in 27 appearances.
The forward came close to joining Turkish side Bursaspor, but the Sailors’ sincerity and ambition convinced him to take the leap and move to Asia, where he has signed a three-year contract through to 2029.
“To be honest, I had other opportunities in Europe, but the Sailors were very sincere,” he revealed. “The club spoke to my agent and me several times, and the feeling was really good. When I saw the confidence they had in me, I didn’t think twice. I wanted to come here straight away and play for this team.
“I came here because of the project. It’s an amazing club with big ambitions to do well internationally. The club has top training facilities that many teams in Europe don’t have, so we have all the conditions needed to be successful. I’m very excited to be part of this journey.”
A devout Muslim, Matthias is also pleased to be moving with his wife and one-year-old daughter to a multicultural country where different faiths are respected and accommodated.
“Being a Muslim means everything to me and my family. I pray five times a day, and my faith is very important in my life,” he stressed. “I know Singapore is a good place to practise your religion because Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and people of different faiths all live here. There are many mosques too, so we can practise our religion freely. I like this environment.”
Arriving in Singapore at the age of 26, Matthias firmly believes he is joining the Sailors in the prime of his career.
“I think the best version of myself is here now. At 26, I feel I’m reaching my full potential,” he declared. “I know there will be expectations on me to perform, and I want to show everyone my qualities and help the team in every way I can.
“My best position is on the left wing, but I can play anywhere across the frontline. I like taking on defenders one-on-one. When I go up against an opponent, I want to destroy him, to be honest. I like creating assists and scoring goals. I don’t like to lose, I only want to win.”
In preparing for his move, Matthias watched several Sailors matches and was particularly inspired by the outstanding performances of club legend Maxime Lestienne.
Now, as he prepares to begin his own Sailors voyage, Matthias is determined to carve out a legacy of his own.
“Maxime is a great player who could do everything, and I hope I can make an impact on this team just as he did,” said Matthias. “I’m very hungry to help the team, and I also think we have a strong squad with many Singapore internationals.
“I think we’re ready for a big season, and I’m excited to see how we perform in the ACL Two and Shopee Cup. We’ll fight for everything, and I want to enjoy success with the team and our fans.”
