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Risser injured, Zidane recalls Jean Butez for first France appearance

Injured Robin Risser withdraws before France's squad gathering. Zinédine Zidane turns to Jean Butez, the revelation of Como in Serie A, who will discover the senior team at 31 years old.

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Risser injured, Zidane recalls Jean Butez for first France appearance
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Jean Butez will join the France team for the first time in his career following Robin Risser’s withdrawal, announced on Sunday by the French Football Federation. The RC Lens goalkeeper, called up Friday by Zinédine Zidane, had to withdraw due to a physical issue confirmed after consultation between the medical staffs of RC Lens and the Blues.

At 31 years old following a remarkable season at Como in Serie A, Butez joins a squad that will include no fewer than six rookies at the next gathering at Clairefontaine starting Monday. He joins goalkeeper Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), defenders Jérémy Jacquet (Liverpool) and Andy Diouf (Inter Milan), midfielder Lucas Da Cunha (Como) and forward Esteban Lepaul (Rennes).

Zidane has sidelined Brice Samba, who was among the three goalkeepers retained by Didier Deschamps for the 2026 World Cup, in favour of Butez to complete a line led by Mike Maignan. Trained at LOSC, Butez has never played on a Ligue 1 pitch in official competition. Most of his career was built in Belgium, at Mouscron then Antwerp, before Como offered him a European platform since 2024.

The Blues will play four matches in eleven days as part of the UEFA Nations League: against Turkey on 25 September, Belgium on 28 September, Italy on 2 October, then the Red Devils again on 5 October.

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