Lepaul scores against PSG, Acherchour sends him to Zidane's France squad

Esteban Lepaul scored and influenced the game during Stade Rennais’ draw with Paris Saint-Germain (2-2) at Roazhon Park, in the opening match of Ligue 1. A performance that, according to consultant Walid Acherchour, puts the 26-year-old striker in a strong position to feature in Zinédine Zidane’s first France squad at the helm of the national team.

Zidane, who will take charge of his first match on the France bench in a month in Turkey, was already present in the stands at Bollaert for the Trophée des champions. Ligue 1’s top scorer last season, Lepaul had not been retained by Didier Deschamps for the 2026 World Cup. But his latest display against PSG changes things in Acherchour’s eyes.

“In the first half-hour, if Rennes were leading, the main architect would be Lepaul,” the consultant said. “Today, for me, he’s putting in his candidacy for the France team. If Lepaul becomes this guy connected to the rest of the team, capable of laying off balls and being effective in the box like a striker from the 1990s Ligue 1, we’ll have a great striker.”

Acherchour even evokes a trajectory comparable to that of Olivier Giroud: “This type of guy who has the hunger, the determination to keep progressing, this intelligence to take steps forward. Lepaul continues week after week to expand his range under more pressure.” The Breton striker was still playing at Épinal three years ago.

“He has a new contract, interest from other clubs, he’s the star of the club, and for the first match against PSG, he’s involved in the two best moments of the evening. If Zidane is watching on TV, he can’t remain unmoved by that. If he continues like this, he’ll be called up,” the consultant concluded.