Kumbedi surprises France after second‑division call‑up

Saël Kumbedi, a 21‑year‑old right‑back of VfL Wolfsburg, was nominated by French national coach Zinédine Zidane for the French A‑team in the Nations League – the first second‑division professional player since 2007. The surprising decision marks a historic step for the 21‑year‑old defender, who has so far been active exclusively in the German Bundesliga.

The interview was published as part of a premium service for player agents, supported by an advisor support. In an interview with L’Équipe, Kumbedi could not confirm whether Zinédine Zidane follows VfL Wolfsburg's matches. He explained that the nomination has less to do with the club's prestige. The 21‑year‑old player has a market value of €12.00 million.

Market value and squad comparison

Zidane surprised on Monday with the re‑nomination of the only second‑division professional in the Les Bleus squad, making him the lowest‑valued player. The average market value of the other squad members is €65 million, ranging from Kylian Mbappé (€200 million) to Adrien Rabiot (€18 million).

Kumbedi's inclusion is said to be due to Pierre Kalulu's injury, and he had already been nominated for the U21 team. Zinédine Zidane has had Kumbedi on his radar ever since he played with his son, Kumbedi explained. The son is named Elyaz Zidane, is 20 years old and has been Kumbedi's teammate in the juniors since the U15 level.

In higher junior categories since the U17, the two played together in 24 international matches, most recently about a year and a half ago for the U20. Elyaz Zidane is not part of the U21 squad, and Kumbedi is also currently no longer in the U21. When he was at home in Épinay with his brother and was preparing for the U21 trip, he received a call from the team manager that he was joining the A national team.

Shortly thereafter the nomination became official and he received numerous calls from friends and his family. From the U17 to the U21 he completed 54 international matches. For the A team this is his first nomination.

He responded to the call with the words: “Damn, is that really true?” He took a taxi to the training centre “Château” and said he had been preparing for it since his childhood. The last second‑division player in the French world‑class squad was, to Kumbedi's knowledge, David Trezeguet.

Trezeguet played in the second division in 2006/07 after Juventus Turin were forcibly relegated, and during his time recorded 71 matches, 34 goals and 7 assists. He earned three international caps until France returned to the top after the World Cup final in Berlin against Italy. When asked about pressure, Kumbedi replied that he feels no pressure, is happy and does not behave like a child in Disneyland.