Lucas Da Cunha, the Belgian revelation who charms Zidane
After being ignored by French football four years ago, Lucas Da Cunha now enjoys unanimous support in his debut with the France national team, where he convinced Zinedine Zidane and the whole country, marking an unexpected turning point for the Belgian talent from Belgium.
An atypical journey
Lucas Da Cunha spent a long time in the shadows, with only eleven appearances for OGC Nice and five for Stade Rennais, reflecting a late‑maturing wandering. His loan spell at Lausanne in 2020‑2021, under the guidance of Giorgio Contini, saw him play in a deeper position than usual. Despite these modest beginnings, he was named the 2024 Professional Footballer of the Year in the Pro League with Union Saint‑Gilloise.
Trained as a right winger, he has often been deployed on the flank, as his role during his limited Ligue 1 appearances shows. During his loan at Lausanne, he recorded 27 matches and six goals, consolidating his experience in Switzerland. His six‑month stint on the Côte d’Azur was not enough to give him more breathing room, hence his new loan near the Auvergne volcanoes.
Zidane's support
Zinedine Zidane, the 2010 world champion, expressed his enthusiasm for the young player, stating: “I am very happy with him, he played the way I wanted, free and effective.” This endorsement boosted the manager’s confidence and contributed to Da Cunha’s national recognition. The legendary coach emphasized that the player behaves as he always has, being liberated on the pitch.
Julien Parcinski, journalist at Sports Football, highlighted that Da Cunha convinced Zidane and “all of France” during his first blue shirt. According to Parcinski, the talent managed to make an impression from his debut with the France national team, contrasting with the neglect of the tricolour football four years ago. He added that the player displayed silky technique and effective pressing.
Statistics and impact
In the 25‑26 season, Da Cunha scored eight goals, placing him among the most effective defensive midfielders in world football. He made six recoveries in his latest match, including a decisive one at the base of Olise’s goal. For the national team, he touched 97 balls, the second most‑used French player behind Maxence Lacroix who had 104.
The 25‑year‑old was also appointed captain after being positioned in front of the defence in a 4‑2‑3‑1, recalling Zidane’s 4‑3‑6‑1. His influence is also measured by his daily leadership, never missing a training session and always serving the team. He said: “These are great emotions, great joy. A few years ago I was in the second division; today I find myself here with the France national team,” expressing pride and modesty.
His performance sparked the enthusiasm of sixty million French fans who want to see him back on the pitch in the upcoming clash against Italy. Belgian supporters are eagerly awaiting his next exploits, hoping he continues to wear their colours proudly. Despite his family’s absence tonight, he hopes to see them on Friday, underscoring the importance of family support.
This contrast between past neglect and current recognition reveals football’s ability to reward perseverance, and hints at a promising future for the Belgian player within the France national team.