Lucas Da Cunha, Jérémy Jacquet, Andy Diouf, Guillaume Restes, Leny Yoro: for his first matches at the head of the France team, Zinédine Zidane opened the doors of the French selection to many players during this international window. Estéban Lepaul was also able to celebrate his debut in blue: coming on at the end of the match against Turkey (1-0), the Stade Rennais striker was then started against Belgium, in the first leg (1-0) and the return leg (4-1).
In total, the top scorer in the elite in 2025-2026 spent 170 minutes on the pitch. For a statistically zero return. “The problem is that as soon as a player shines in Ligue 1, there are always guys, notably the supporters of his club, who demand his presence in the French teamobserves Pierre Ménès. It’s not understanding and not wanting to admit that the distance between an international match and a Ligue 1 match is monstrous. »
“Look at the difficulties that (Ousmane) Dembélé has had since the start of his career with the national team. LePaul, even to the naked eye, one wonders what he is doing there. He is very small, very skinny…he continues on his YouTube channel. I don’t mind being told that he didn’t have any balls, but at some point, go get the balls, make calls, fight! If you don’t physically exist in the opponent’s area, it will be very difficult to be found. »
“He lacks a lot of qualities to reach the highest level”
Will we see Estéban Lepaul again with the Blues in November? Emmanuel Petit is not sure. “He still has a long way to go before returning to the French teamhe decides on RMC. He didn’t really exist. He has good movement, good movements but he does not have the quality of speed required, in a few spaces, to make the difference or position himself outside marking, to go deep or add impact over a few meters. »
“When I look at him, I say to myself that he is an intelligent boy when moving but he lacks a lot of qualities to reach the highest level. I hope he will be able to reach these milestones”adds the 1998 world champion. If “Zizou” gives him another chance during the next two Nations League matches, the SRFC player must not miss out. Because as soon as the issue becomes serious again, Zinédine Zidane will want to have certainty.
