International break yields records, farewells and new nominations
Well, have you already wrapped the side mirrors, dusted off the flags and painted the makeup on your faces? On Friday the German national team plays in Belgrade against Serbia. For Schwarz‑Rot‑Klopp it is about winning the Nations League.
French nominations surprise fans
In France the fans look bewildered at the squad that includes Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise and Désiré Doué. One name, Sael Kumbedi, is likely to be familiar to second‑division fans. A look at the French selection reveals the nomination of Sael Kumbedi.
The man who leads the French selection is Zinédine Zidane, and he brings the centre‑back from VfL Wolfsburg into the French squad for the first time. The national coach deployed Kumbedi for the injured Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, about which Jürgen Klopp has a terrible feeling.
English record chase and brother duo
England meets Croatia on Thursday in the Nations League. If Harry Kane plays, he would surpass Peter Shilton's record with his 126th international appearance. Kane has already started 111 of his 125 previous caps. England's record stands at 83 wins, 22 draws and 20 defeats.
Kumbedi surprises France after second‑division call‑up
National coach Thomas Tuchel nominated Jobe Bellingham for the English squad for the first time. A joint appearance with his brother Jude could form the third brother duo in English football.
Latin American and further developments
Cristiano Ronaldo ended his international career with an emotional video after a dispute with the Portuguese national coach. His former teammates must show in Denmark that Portugal can still be successful without him. Denmark urgently needs points and will play three days later against Norway and Erling Haaland.
Erling Haaland has already scored 22 goals in 20 Nations League matches. Lionel Messi, after his retirement, was not in the Argentinian squad for the first time. Coach Lionel Scaloni also left Rodrigo de Paul, the former bodyguard, out of the squad.
In La Bombonera the Albiceleste play their first match of the post‑Messi era against Uruguay. Robert Lewandowski, 38, scored three goals in October in the 6‑0 win over Romania. The striker will be used on Saturday in the return match in Romania.