Zidane’s new generation: Kroupi chooses France over Portugal

While Eli Junior Kroupi once still thanked Portugal in the hope of an international career, he now reports himself as the ninth debutant to the French squad of Les Bleus, a development that underscores Zinedine Zidane’s policy of new faces. Zidane, who since he took over the baton from Didier Deschamps after the World Cup, shows no hesitation in selecting unknown players, has already introduced five newcomers in September.

Zidane’s stream of debutants

The first group consisted of goalkeeper Guillaume Restes of Toulouse, defenders Andy Diouf of Inter and Jérémy Jacquet of Liverpool, Como‑controller Lucas Da Cunha and Ligue‑1 top‑scorer Estéban Lepaul of Stade Rennes. Later, Manchester United defender Leny Yoro arrived as the sixth newcomer after the withdrawal of Ibrahima Konaté. On Friday Zidane expanded the list with VfL Wolfsburg defender Saël Kumbedi and Paris FC striker Pablo Pagis.

The ninth debutant, Kroupi, was added on Tuesday after Inter striker Marcus Thuram withdrew. The twenty‑year‑old Bournemouth forward scored thirteen times in the Premier League last season, but missed the start of the season due to an injury.

Zidane backs Eli Junior Kroupi to replace Thuram for France

In his first appearances against Leeds United and Ipswich Town the youth international made enough impression to now be allowed to report to Les Bleus, who are preparing for Nations‑League duels with Italy and Turkey. Kroupi, born in Lorient, has a Portuguese mother and an Ivorian father, but has already indicated that he prefers a French international.

He played for FC Lorient until his transfer to Bournemouth in 2025 and has in recent years represented almost all French youth squads. See us more often on Google for more updates on this story.

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