Mbappé and Tchouaméni Return as Zidane Names France Squad

France manager Zinédine Zidane unveiled his latest squad on Friday for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches that will determine who advances to the quarter-finals. Les Bleus, as the French national team are known, face Turkey and Italy in the two-legged ties.

The most eye-catching returns are those of captain Kylian Mbappé, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni and defender Ibrahima Konaté, all of whom missed recent fixtures through injury. Striker Marcus Thuram is also back in the fold after his own absence.

The headline newcomer is Pablo Pagis, a 23-year-old forward for Paris FC, who receives his first senior international call-up. His inclusion is a family milestone of sorts: his father, Mickaël Pagis, was a well-known Ligue 1 striker during his own playing career in France's top division.

Zidane was candid about the circumstances behind Pagis' inclusion. Speaking at a press conference, he said the young attacker benefited from injury absences affecting several other forwards, specifically citing Maghnes Akliouche as the most direct reason. Ousmane Dembélé and Esteban Lepaul were also unavailable.

"Pablo Pagis is selected tonight because we had a small problem with Akliouche, who is slightly injured," Zidane explained. "Pablo was already on the extended list. He is a player I want to see, an interesting player, a different one."

Pagis had been on Zidane's radar through the broader preliminary squad list, meaning his promotion to the main group was not entirely a surprise within the coaching staff, even if it marks a significant personal achievement for the young striker.

The Nations League is a UEFA competition running alongside international qualifying cycles. The format groups European nations by level and uses results to determine promotion, relegation and, at the top tier, a knockout phase leading to a final tournament. France compete in League A, the highest tier, where reaching the quarter-finals carries both prestige and ranking implications.

Mbappé's return will attract the most attention globally. The Real Madrid forward and France captain had been sidelined and his availability was closely watched ahead of a busy international calendar. Tchouaméni, who plays for Real Madrid alongside Mbappé at club level, also missed time through injury and his return strengthens the midfield considerably.

The two fixtures against Turkey and Italy will test the depth and cohesion of a squad that is rebuilding its rhythm with several key players returning at the same time.

Source: ION News