Lepaul in France squad: Mateta's injury opens door in Zidane's first list

Estéban Lepaul could feature in Zinedine Zidane’s first squad list, expected on Thursday, September 17, as Jean-Philippe Mateta’s injury opens a spot in France’s attacking ranks.

Unofficial named manager in place of Didier Deschamps in late July, Zidane will call up his first group for four matches: against Turkey (September 25), Belgium (September 28), Italy (October 2) and Belgium again (October 5).

Mateta, who had been retained for the 2026 World Cup, suffered a muscle injury during Crystal Palace training. His manager Pierre Sage confirmed, after the defeat to Manchester City, that the striker would be absent “at least four weeks” — a timeframe that effectively rules him out of Zidane’s list.

Lepaul, 26, then emerges as the natural candidate to fill this void. Ligue 1’s top scorer last season with Stade Rennais, he has already scored three goals in two matches this season, including a brace against Le Mans last weekend.

Asked about a possible first call-up, the former Angers player replied cautiously: “I will continue to work, to play good matches, to score goals and if there is a pre-selection or selection, it will be perfect.” He also insisted that missing the list would not demoralise him: “The only thing that matters to me is to continue working, but these are things that don’t depend on me.” Before adding, all the same: “I hope for it with all my heart.”

Born in Auxerre, Lepaul has never been selected for France’s senior team. His consistency in front of goal and the attacking context could convince Zidane to take the step at his first list.