Zidane names first France squad — Cyprus Mail
The new head coach of France's national football team, Zinedine Zidane, has announced his first squad for the Nations League matches. The call-up includes several footballers who had not previously received invitations to the senior national team, including Liverpool centre-back Jérémy Jacquet.
As Cyprus Mail reports, first-time call-ups also went to goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, defender Andy Diouf, midfielder Lucas Da Cunha and forward Esteban Lepaul. The squad includes 23 players in total.
Absent players and captain
Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is gradually returning from injury, and Inter forward Marcus Thuram were not included in the squad. Zidane confirmed that Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé will remain captain of the French national team. The article notes that Mbappé is the team's all-time top scorer, with 66 goals for the national side.
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Zidane's first matches
Zidane took charge of France in July, replacing Didier Deschamps, and will work with the team until the 2030 World Cup. He will play his first match in the role on 25 September against Turkey in İzmit during the Nations League group stage. France will then play Belgium away, before hosting Italy and Belgium in October.
“I have always followed the France national team. I am very attached to this team,” Zidane said at a press conference. He also said that he understands the task set before him and that his work with the national team will be a continuation of his ideas.
