Football is a story of patience and luck: Nidal Čelik reveals who helped him overcome the crisis and reach the Lens first team

(Patria) - After nearly a year without significant playing time, young Bosnian international Nidal Čelik (19) has been regularly getting opportunities and progressing at centre-back since mid-February. This Saturday (17:15) he is expected to start in the away match against Lorient.

"I love northern France!" says Čelik with a smile, in French, which he is diligently learning alongside English, which he already speaks fluently. The young defender now seems like a happy player at RC Lens, even though until mid-February he was a completely surprising choice in the starting lineup.

His opportunity came after injuries to Samsone Baidoo and Kyllian Antonio, and he started a match for the first time against PFC in Paris (0:5). Earlier in the rotation, he was only the sixth choice among centre-backs, and last summer he did not even travel to the pre-season camp in England.

Until mid-December, he was not even in the squad, and even when he was on the bench for five matches (three in Ligue 1 and two in the Cup), he did not get a chance to play. Nevertheless, the 19-year-old Bosnian, who is still developing as a player, managed to seize his opportunity.

Against Metz on Sunday, he came off at half-time as a precaution, but on Saturday against Lorient he should play his sixth consecutive match for the second-placed Ligue 1 team.

After his first match at the Jean-Bouin stadium, Čelik hugged assistant coach Jamal Alioui.

"He said thank you to me, it was touching," recalls the assistant coach, adding:

"Three weeks earlier, I told him: ‘My job is not to let you go. I don’t want to see you give up. You never know what can happen.’ Three weeks later – he plays. Players who don’t play and who are mentally at rock bottom must always feel included. That is also our strength today," writes La Voix du Nord.

Father's support

The young player, who arrived from FK Sarajevo in February 2025, needed a lot of strength to endure the difficult period.

"I am very proud of my first five matches here, because the past year was hard for me: first time abroad, without family, and without playing," says Čelik.

"I overcame a lot."

His father, a police officer in special services, who taught him discipline from a young age, also provided great support.

"Until my first professional contract, he never told me I was good or that I would make a living from football. Only then did he tell me to continue, but also that I hadn’t achieved anything yet and that it was just the beginning. Last year I was in a tough situation, and he helped me a lot to lift my head again. This is now a reward. I am very grateful to him."

Before his Ligue 1 debut, Malang Sarr also supported him, taking on the role of an older brother in the team.

"Before the match against PFC, he told me: ‘This is your moment. You’ve been waiting for it for 20 years, you suffered for a year for this. Just stay calm, enjoy it, and we’ll all celebrate together.’"

Čelik is aware that he has not yet reached his maximum.

"I’m not at 100% yet, but with these players, in this league, and in this club, I can only improve."

Against Metz, he seemed more confident and courageous, even more offensive.

"Whether we are younger or older, if we see an opportunity, we must seize it. This is a big club – there is no time for excuses here. We have to take responsibility."