Matondo-Merveille Papela
based on the 2025/26 season · updated 18 Aug 2026
Profile
Season stats
Full career & schedule →Domestic-league season · SV Darmstadt 98.
Scout report
M. Papela is a 25-year-old defensive midfielder at SV Darmstadt 98, rated 54.1 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 45th of 116 on scout potential in the 2. Bundesliga. In his prime years, he has been a fringe squad member this season (34.9% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 4.13 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Papela.
Judged on this season alone, Papela graded 19 — a workmanlike campaign that ranks 6th of 7 of the 7 defensive midfielders in the 2. Bundesliga, on 1 goal, 1 assist and 4.125 defensive actions per 90.
Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 22 → 19). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has trended upward, peaking in 2022/23.
On long-term talent our Rating reads 54, 4th of 7 of the 7 defensive midfielders in the 2. Bundesliga. At 25 Papela is in his prime years, and a market index of 20.6 reflects that trajectory.
Below his 2022/23 peak but holding a solid level — the platform for a return is there.
Output in context · SV Darmstadt 98 finished 5th of 18 · an upper-table side
4.13 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — solid defensive volume, with 3 clean sheets across 27 appearances. Behind an upper-table side (5th of 18) the side controls more games, so the defensive load is lighter — the value sits as much in composure and ball progression as in raw volume. Going forward he chipped in 1 goal and 1 assist — a useful bonus from the back.
Strengths
- Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.17 goal involvements per 90, useful for a defensive midfielder.
- Defensive volume. 4.13 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — does the unseen work.
Watch points
- Game time. Only 34.9% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
Outlook
With a Rating of 54.1, Papela carries the 4th-highest potential of the defensive midfielders in the 2. Bundesliga of 7. Defensively he reads as solid defensive volume (4.13 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Approaching peak years; value is still building (price multiplier 2×) with the best seasons likely ahead.
Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.
Season statistics
Bars = where he ranks among defensive midfielders in the 2. Bundesliga with 600+ minutes this season.
Shooting
Passing
Defending
Yellow/red cards
Transfer news
No transfer news found for this player.
