Zidane backs Eli Junior Kroupi to replace Thuram for France

Zinédine Zidane has called up the twenty‑year‑old striker Eli Junior Kroupi to the France squad for the Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey, as a replacement for Marcus Thuram who withdrew due to a right hamstring pain.

Career and performances of the young striker

His impressive performances with Bournemouth earned him this call‑up.

Trained at Lorient, he made his professional debut in June 2023 before joining the Premier League in 2025.

Born in Ivory Coast, he moved to Rennes before reaching adulthood and later played for Lorient, AS Nancy‑Lorraine as well as in the United Arab Emirates, Italy and Greece.

His father, former Ivorian international Eli Kroupi, accompanied him without being his agent, as he stated in 2021.

He chose Les Bleus despite approaches from two foreign national teams.

His father recalled that Junior is French and does not know Ivory Coast, highlighting the difficulty of the decision.

He also turned down Portugal's advances, whose manager Roberto Martinez tried to persuade him, but he maintained his wish to represent only France.

Bleus in kit: the parade at Clairefontaine before Italy

Eli Kroupi, who spent fifteen years with the pros in Ploemeur and wore the Elephants' colours twice, coaches today.

Marcus Thuram withdrew this Tuesday due to a right hamstring pain felt in Serie A.

Zinédine Zidane therefore called up Eli Junior Kroupi for the first time to the France team.

Back from injury, his playing time was reduced at the start of the season with Bournemouth, but he will be able to discover Clairefontaine with the A squad after already having spent time with the U21s in 2025.

This decision by Zidane rewards the young striker after Thuram's withdrawal.

Zidane calls Junior Kroupi: the French response to Thuram's forfait

Recently recovered from a foot injury sustained at the end of July, he has already provided an assist in less than fifty minutes of cumulative playing time since his return on October 25.

This efficiency continues the line of his performances in the 2025–2026 season with the English club.

Walid Acherchour believes the player should not escape Paris Saint‑Germain.

In thirty‑five appearances in all competitions last season, he scored thirteen goals, including six against the Big Six giants: Tottenham, Arsenal (twice), Manchester United (twice) and Manchester City.