Papin hails Lepaul and Torres as Ligue 1's best number 9s

Jean-Pierre Papin, 1991 Ballon d’Or winner and five-time Ligue 1 top scorer with Marseille, has named Ferran Torres and Estéban Lepaul as the two best number 9s in Ligue 1, placing the Spanish striker marginally ahead of the Rennes forward.

“In terms of a number 9 today, I put Ferran Torres just ahead. As a true number 9, it’s him. Ferran Torres has the experience of big clubs, big matches,” Papin said. He nevertheless praised Estéban Lepaul’s style: “Lepaul is in a somewhat retro style and I like that, I think it’s missing today. I like the way he plays, even if he needs to progress. To finish his first season as top scorer and start with three goals… It reminds me of Steve Savidan.”

Lepaul finished the season at the top of the Ligue 1 scoring chart with 21 goals for Stade Rennais, ahead of Joaquín Panichelli and Mason Greenwood (16 goals each). A particularly remarkable achievement given that the 26-year-old striker did not follow the traditional path: trained at Lyon without turning professional, he had to go through the National and Épinal, then Ligue 2, before flourishing in Ligue 1 with Angers SCO and then Rennes. He is the son of former Auxerre player Fabrice Lepaul.

These accolades come as Zinédine Zidane is set to unveil his first squad list as France manager for four Ligue des Nations matches against Turkey, Belgium (twice) and Italy, scheduled for September 25 and 28, then October 2 and 5. The question of a possible call-up for Lepaul is fuelling discussion.

Christophe Dugarry, present at the same exchange, slipped in a humorous jab in reference to Steve Savidan, who earned only one France cap in 2008 despite his domestic performances: “It shouldn’t stop at one or two selections.”