Paris Saint-Germain are set to hand goalkeeper Renato Marin his first Ligue 1 start in their match against Lorient on Sunday, according to reports from Italy. The 18-year-old Italian youth international, who joined PSG from Roma last summer, is expected to deputise for the injured Lucas Chevalier, with regular cup goalkeeper Matvey Safonov rested ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich. The opportunity represents a significant step for the highly-rated prospect in his debut season in France.
Marin's promotion comes after Chevalier, a €55 million signing from Lille last summer, suffered a muscular injury. This has opened the door for the young goalkeeper, who has been on the bench for PSG on nine occasions this season and made his debut in a 4-0 French Cup win in December. According to French newspaper Le Parisien, sporting director Luis Campos had tracked Marin since 2020, when the player moved to Roma's academy, and PSG moved to secure his signature on a free transfer last year to beat competition for one of the most promising goalkeepers of his generation.
The Brazilian-born Italian passport holder progressed through Roma's youth ranks, training 28 times with the first team and earning one bench appearance, before opting for the move to Paris. His former Primavera coach at Roma, Gianluca Falsini, told Le Parisien that Marin is "a great player, and technically the typical Brazilian goalkeeper: solid on the ground, reactive and structured, who covers the goal well, talented in his exits." PSG officials have similarly highlighted his quality with the ball at his feet, a trait highly valued by coach Luis Enrique's possession-based system.
Marin's integration at PSG has reportedly been smooth, aided by his ability to speak four languages. His performances in training are said to have convinced Enrique to grant him this opportunity in a competitive league match. While the title race is still technically open, the fixture against an attacking Lorient side presents a more rigorous test than his cup debut, serving as a major examination of his readiness at the highest level.
This start could have implications beyond a single match. Chevalier's future at the club has been subject to speculation after a challenging first season, and a confident display from Marin may influence the club's long-term planning. The Italian is under contract with PSG until 2030, positioning him as a potential long-term asset. For now, the focus is on a crucial audition for the young goalkeeper as PSG continue their pursuit of domestic and European honours.
