Zidane calls up player from German second division to France national team

Zinedine Zidane, the head coach of the France national team, has called up young defender Saël Kumbedi, a player from VfL Wolfsburg, to the senior national team for the first time in his career, to replace Pierre Kalulu, the Juventus defender, who suffered a muscle injury during his team's match against ACF Fiorentina in Serie A.

The French national team's coaching staff announced the exclusion of Pierre Kalulu from the squad after he underwent medical examinations, which confirmed he has a low-grade tear in the hamstring muscle of his left leg, according to the medical statement issued by Juventus. The player will remain in Torino to receive treatment.

Saël Kumbedi, 21, has been selected in a surprising move, especially as he plays for VfL Wolfsburg in the German second division, having previously played for Olympique Lyon. He also has nine international appearances with the France U21 national team.

Saël Kumbedi will join the senior national team in preparation for the matches against Italy and Türkiye in the final two rounds of the UEFA Nations League group stage, where the French team will face Italy on November 12 in Milan, before meeting Türkiye on November 15 in Bordeaux, in an opportunity that could see the young defender's first international appearance with the senior team.