Tolisso absent from France since 2021: Will Zidane break another Deschamps taboo?

Out of the France squad since 2021, Corentin Tolisso is the subject of a strong push for a return to the national team under Zinédine Zidane. Former Lyon midfielder Clément Grenier believes the Lyon captain deserves a place among the Bleus.

Zidane has already shown in his first gathering that he is not afraid to depart from the choices of his predecessor Didier Deschamps. He notably opened the door to Jérémy Jacquet, Andy Diouf, Lucas Da Cunha, Estéban Lepaul, Guillaume Restes and Leny Yoro, while also bringing back Eduardo Camavinga, sidelined by Deschamps for the 2026 World Cup. The question now is whether this logic of change will extend to Tolisso.

“He is in the top 3 of Ligue 1 without question,” Grenier asserts, a consultant specializing in the French championship. The former Lyon player highlights the remarkable trajectory of the 32-year-old, who returned to Lyon after physical setbacks and mental difficulties linked to injuries. “When a player is not there in a team and we see the difference, it means he is an essential element,” he insists.

Grenier also praises the versatility and maturity accumulated by the 2018 World Cup winner since his time at Bayern Munich. “In his role, being able to drive forward, being very good tactically and technically, and scoring goals, he is in the top 3 of Ligue 1. He has this leadership, he has gained so much maturity. He brings everyone along with him in his pressing, he always has the right words.”

It remains to be seen whether Zidane will share this enthusiasm when he announces his next squad in November. At 32, Tolisso still has a narrow window to convince Zizou to give him a second international life.