Mbappe named for Zidane’s France national squad

Kylian Mbappe headlined the France squad named on Friday by coach Zinedine Zidane for their Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey after picking up an injury on international duty in September, while Pablo Pagis was handed a debut call-up.

Real Madrid superstar Mbappe, the France captain, scored the winner in Zidane’s first match in charge of Les Bleus away to Turkey on September 25, but suffered a knee injury in the game that ruled him out of the team’s three remaining fixtures of the last international window.

Without him, France won twice against Belgium, in Brussels and then at home, and drew in between against Italy.

Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe looks on during the match against AEK Athens in Athens on Wednesday.

Photo: AFP

Mbappe has since returned to action for his club, scoring eight times in seven matches between La Liga and the Champions League.

France are without Paris Saint-Germain duo Ousmane Dembele and Maghnes Akliouche, as well as Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul for this month’s double-header.

That means Marcus Thuram of Inter Milan is recalled to an attack, which features Pagis for the first time.

Pagis, who plays chiefly as an attacking midfielder, is rewarded for his impressive form this season since joining Paris FC — who are fourth in Ligue 1 — from Lorient.

Pagis is the son of Mickael Pagis, the former Marseille player who at one time appeared for the France beach soccer team coached by Eric Cantona.

“He is in the squad because we have a little problem with Akliouche, and so we needed to choose another player,” Zidane said in an interview. “Pablo was part of the long list and he is a player I want to see. He is interesting, different and it is good to be able to see what he is like.”

Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid returns in midfield in place of Manu Kone after missing the last international window, while Manchester United’s Leny Yoro and Chelsea’s Malo Gusto replace Jules Kounde of Barcelona and Maxence Lacroix of Chelsea in the defense.

Another player not included is Arsenal defender William Saliba, who has not yet featured for his club this season due to a back injury.

Zidane’s side play Italy in Milan next Thursday and then take on Turkey in Bordeaux three days later in their final group-stage fixtures.