Mika Godts intends to make the most of his time with Belgium to change his status at PSG. Still waiting for his first start under Luis Enrique, the 21-year-old winger has just scored his first goal for the Red Devils. Ahead of facing France, Belgium’s new number 10 admits that another big performance could help him move up the pecking order in Paris.
Mika Godts may be kick-starting his season away from the Parc des Princes. Signed by PSG from Ajax Amsterdam this summer, the young Belgian has so far had to settle for a substitute role in the French capital. Luis Enrique has yet to hand him a start. Before the international break, Godts had made five appearances off the bench, playing 133 minutes and providing one assist.
Godts shines with Belgium and wears the number 10
Things have been different with Belgium. Starting against Italy on Friday, Godts scored his first goal for the Red Devils in the 20th minute. Sent through by Kevin De Bruyne, the PSG winger beat Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Diego Coppola before finding a way past Gianluigi Donnarumma as Belgium went on to win 2-0. Another sign of his growing importance is that Godts now wears the number 10 for his country, although the youngster insists he did not ask for it.
At PSG, the summer signing wears number 22. The French champions signed him on a contract running until 2031 after an impressive final season with Ajax, during which he registered 17 goals and 15 assists in 44 appearances in all competitions, according to the Parisian club. Godts is fully aware of the fierce competition in Paris and says that was part of the attraction of joining PSG: “That’s also why I joined PSG. Competition is normal at the highest level of football.” After scoring against Italy, he also stressed that Luis Enrique and the club continue to believe in him: “I have time, I have time. The coach and the club believe in me.”
Godts now has another perfect opportunity to make an impression as Belgium host Zinédine Zidane’s France in Brussels on Monday in the Nations League. After scoring against Italy, another strong display against Les Bleus could strengthen his case for a first PSG start. “If I score against France, it could help me earn a starting spot at PSG…” The challenge now is to turn his excellent international spell into a genuine breakthrough in Paris.
