The future of Stade de Reims captain and Malta international Teddy Teuma appears increasingly uncertain, as reports from French media suggest growing internal tensions at the Ligue 1 club.
Teuma, a key figure in the squad, has been consistently left out of the team in recent weeks by interim coach Samba Diawara — even as the French side battles to avoid relegation. Sources indicate that this exclusion may be influenced by club president Jean-Pierre Caillot, despite Teuma being regarded by his teammates as a player of high integrity and leadership qualities.
Last Appearance a Decisive One
Ironically, Teuma’s last appearance for Stade de Reims came on April 2 during the Coupe de France semi-final against Cannes. Coming off the bench, Teuma scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory, securing Reims’ spot in the final — their most significant domestic cup run in recent years.
Reims are set to play that final this Saturday in Saint-Denis against French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who are also UEFA Champions League finalists this season. However, Teuma will not be part of the squad for that prestigious fixture.
Temporary Leave Granted Amid Exclusion
Recent developments confirm that Teuma will not feature again for Reims this season. He has reportedly been given permission to take a short holiday, following repeated exclusions from the team. It is believed that Teuma himself requested this leave after being persistently overlooked by Diawara.
Despite being under contract with the club until the end of the 2026/27 season, the Maltese midfielder’s future with Stade de Reims looks increasingly bleak. The club’s recent conduct — particularly from its administration — is being criticized for lacking respect towards its own captain. Diawara’s recent remarks about Teuma have also raised eyebrows, with many pointing out that they don’t reflect the player’s proven leadership and ability.
National Team Commitment Remains Firm
While sidelined at club level, Teuma will remain a key figure for the Malta national team. He is expected to feature in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Lithuania and the Netherlands under coach Michele Marcolini.
As speculation swirls about his next move, no official reports have yet indicated which club could be Teuma’s next destination. However, in a recent appearance on DAZN — which holds broadcasting rights to several European leagues — Teuma mentioned that he still holds a deep fondness for his former team Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, where he enjoyed significant success.
Stade de Reims have two games to maintain their place in Ligue 1 after they slipped into the relegation playoff spot on the final day of the season. Tonight, they travel to the East of France to play Ligue 2 side FC Metz.
Head coach Samba Diawara will be without Teddy Teuma, who has not played since the 2nd of April, when he scored the match-winning goal in the Coupe de France semi-final against AS Cannes. According to Le Parisien, Teuma’s request to go on holiday out of frustration at his situation was accepted by the club.
Diawara will also be without Yaya Fofana, Reda Khadra, and Mohamed Daramy, all three of whom have had significant injuries that have seen them miss almost the entire campaign. However, other than these four players who have not played much of a role under Diawara, Reims will have a full contingent to pick from.
Reims likely lineup vs Metz
Yehvann Diouf; Sergio Akieme, Cédric Kipré, Mory Gbane, Hiroki Sekine, Aurélio Buta; Keito Nakamura, Amadou Koné, Valentin Antangana, Junya Ito; Jordan Pefok.
