Junior Dina Ebimbe reflects on Sarcelles upbringing

FC Schalke 04 midfielder Junior Dina Ebimbe has opened up about his upbringing in Sarcelles, describing the northern Parisian suburb as one of the most dangerous areas in the Paris metropolitan region. In a club interview published by Der Westen, the 25-year-old discussed how he maintained his focus on football despite local hardships, crediting his discipline for keeping him away from trouble as he transitioned into the Paris Saint-Germain academy at age eleven.

From Paris Saint-Germain to the Veltins-Arena

Ebimbe’s football career developed through several prominent European clubs after his early years in the Paris Saint-Germain youth system, where he won an U17 championship. Following loan spells with Le Havre AC in Ligue 2 and Dijon FCO in Ligue 1, he returned to the PSG senior squad in 2021, sharing a locker room with global stars including Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé. He later played for Eintracht Frankfurt and Stade Brest before transferring to Schalke this past summer. Reflecting on his time alongside Messi, Ebimbe noted in the club interview that the Argentine forward never once had to stand in the center during rondo drills throughout the entire season.

Community Outreach in France and Gelsenkirchen

Now established in Gelsenkirchen, Ebimbe maintains active ties to his hometown by funding educational supplies and school materials for children whose families face financial hardship. Der Westen reported that the Schalke professional regularly invites young people from Sarcelles to attend his matches—having previously hosted them during his tenure in Frankfurt with plans to bring them to the Veltins-Arena—and distributes holiday gifts to hospitalized children. Ebimbe stated that every child deserves the opportunity to dream without financial barriers, adding that he intends to extend similar community support programs to children living in Gelsenkirchen.