Mbappe Leads Zidane’s France Squad for Nations League Matches Against Italy, Turkiye

PARIS: Kylian Mbappe headlines the France squad announced by coach Zinedine Zidane for their upcoming Nations League matches against Italy and Turkiye. This announcement comes after Mbappe’s recovery from a knee injury sustained during international duty in September.

Mbappe, the captain of Les Bleus and a star player for Real Madrid, scored the decisive goal in Zidane’s debut match against Turkiye on September 25. However, he was sidelined for the subsequent fixtures, during which France managed two victories against Belgium and a draw against Italy. Since returning to club action, Mbappe has demonstrated his scoring prowess, netting eight goals in seven appearances across La Liga and the Champions League.

The absence of Paris Saint-Germain players Ousmane Dembele and Maghnes Akliouche, along with Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, has led to the inclusion of Marcus Thuram from Inter Milan and debutant Pablo Pagis. The 23-year-old Pagis, primarily an attacking midfielder, has earned his first call-up due to his impressive performances this season.

As France prepares for these crucial matches, the team aims to build on their recent successes and solidify their position in the Nations League. Fans will be eager to see how the new lineup performs, particularly with the addition of Pagis, as they face formidable opponents in Italy and Turkiye.