Da Cunha shines against Belgium and puts Tchouameni under pressure in France squad

Lucas Da Cunha made an impression during France’s second gathering under Zinedine Zidane, delivering a solid performance in the holding midfield role against Belgium. The Como midfielder, on his first cap, generated enthusiasm among supporters and reopened questions about the hierarchy in the French midfield.

Zidane made no secret of his satisfaction after the match. « Da Cunha is not a discovery for me. I’m really very pleased with his performance. Moreover, it wasn’t easy because it was his first cap. He’s joining a group he doesn’t know. And ultimately, he played the way he usually does, the way I wanted him to play: freely. He plays like he does at his club, and he does it very well, » the manager said.

Aurélien Tchouameni’s absence, the usual starter in that position, had been explained beforehand by Zidane himself. Sidelined by an adductor injury that kept him out for nearly two months, the Real Madrid midfielder had only around a hundred minutes of playing time when the squad list was announced. « For his recovery process, I think it’s better that he stays in Madrid and continues to prepare, » the manager explained after contacting the player directly.

On social media, Da Cunha’s performance nonetheless fueled a sharper debate among supporters, with some calling for Tchouameni to be permanently dropped from the France squad. Recent French team history, however, calls for caution: players like Eduardo Camavinga or Julien Faubert had shone on their first caps without ever establishing themselves permanently in the squad.

True competition between Da Cunha and Tchouameni can only be established once the Madrid player is fully recovered and available again for a gathering.