Football is a game full of highs and lows, but few moments have been as perplexing as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s infamous miss for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) during their Ligue 1 campaign.
While the Cameroonian striker has enjoyed a unique career path, moving from the struggles of relegation with Stoke City to the star-studded squad of PSG, one moment in particular has defined his time in Paris—a miss that left fans and pundits in disbelief.
From Bundesliga to the Premier League and Beyond
Choupo-Moting’s career has been anything but conventional. Born in Hamburg, Germany, he began his professional journey in the Bundesliga, where he played for clubs such as Hamburger SV, Mainz 05, and Schalke 04. While he was never a prolific goal scorer, his versatility, work ethic, and ability to play across the front line made him a valuable squad player.
In 2017, he made the unexpected move to Stoke City in the English Premier League. His time in England, however, was short-lived. The 2017/18 season was disastrous for the Potters, as they finished 19th and were relegated to the Championship. Choupo-Moting managed just five goals in 30 appearances, a modest return for a forward. With Stoke heading for second-tier football, his future seemed uncertain.
Then, in one of the most surprising transfers in recent memory, PSG came calling.
A Shock Move to PSG
PSG’s decision to sign Choupo-Moting in the summer of 2018 raised plenty of eyebrows. The club had just broken the world transfer record to sign Neymar from Barcelona for €222 million and secured a deal for rising star Kylian Mbappé. With such an elite attack, the arrival of a striker who had struggled for goals at a relegated Premier League side seemed baffling.
However, there was logic behind the move. PSG manager Thomas Tuchel had worked with Choupo-Moting at Mainz and was familiar with his abilities. The striker’s arrival on a free transfer provided valuable squad depth, and his willingness to play a supporting role made him an ideal backup option. He was never expected to be a key figure, but rather a reliable alternative in rotation.
Playing Time in Paris
Despite the skepticism surrounding his signing, Choupo-Moting managed to feature regularly in his debut season. With Neymar frequently sidelined due to injuries, Tuchel occasionally turned to the Cameroonian to fill the gap in the attack. By April 2019, he had played 18 times in Ligue 1, scoring three goals, and also made four appearances in the Champions League.
While he wasn’t setting the league alight, he was getting minutes in one of Europe’s most star-studded squads. Then came the moment that would define his PSG career.
The Infamous Miss: What Happened?
On April 7, 2019, PSG faced Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes. A victory would have secured the Ligue 1 title with several games to spare. Given the dominance PSG had shown all season, it seemed inevitable that they would claim the crown that night.
Choupo-Moting started the match and initially appeared to be on his way to a positive evening. In the 13th minute, he put PSG ahead with a well-taken goal at the near post. However, things quickly turned against him.
Strasbourg equalized 13 minutes later, setting up a tense contest. Then, in the 28th minute, one of the most baffling moments in football history occurred.
PSG midfielder Christopher Nkunku chipped the ball over the Strasbourg goalkeeper. The ball was clearly heading into the net, and it seemed destined to restore PSG’s lead. But just as it was about to cross the line, Choupo-Moting intervened. Rather than simply allowing the goal to stand, he attempted to tap the ball in himself—only to accidentally stop it on the line. A Strasbourg defender rushed back to clear, preventing PSG from scoring.
The reactions were a mix of disbelief and amusement. Fans in the stadium gasped, players held their heads in shock, and social media erupted with replays of what many described as the “worst miss ever.” Even Choupo-Moting himself looked bewildered, unsure of what had just happened.
The Aftermath and Legacy of the Miss
PSG went on to draw the match 2-2, meaning their title celebrations were postponed. However, given their commanding lead at the top of the table, the league crown was never truly in doubt. A few games later, PSG officially clinched the Ligue 1 title.
For Choupo-Moting, however, the miss became a defining moment of his time at PSG. Despite his contributions, he struggled to shake off the memory of that incident. It became a viral sensation, replayed countless times in football highlight reels.
Yet, rather than let it destroy his confidence, Choupo-Moting remained professional. The following season, he played a role in PSG’s run to the 2020 Champions League final, even scoring a crucial stoppage-time winner against Atalanta in the quarterfinals.
A Career of Unexpected Twists
Choupo-Moting’s time at PSG eventually came to an end, but his football journey was far from over. In 2020, he signed for Bayern Munich, adding another shocking twist to his career. While his role was again as a squad player, he managed to score important goals in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Today, his career stands as a testament to perseverance. Though he has never been considered an elite striker, his ability to adapt, work hard, and take unexpected opportunities has allowed him to play for some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Final Thoughts
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s infamous miss for PSG remains one of the most unforgettable moments in football history. It was a lapse in judgment that defied logic, an error so astonishing that it overshadowed an otherwise solid career. But beyond the viral clips and laughter, his story is one of resilience. From struggling with Stoke City to playing for PSG and Bayern Munich, he has defied expectations time and time again.
While the miss will always be a part of his football legacy, so too will his ability to bounce back. Football is full of surprises—and Choupo-Moting’s career is proof that sometimes, even the most unexpected paths can lead to success.
