5 facts revealing the story of Ely Junior Kroupi

Eli Junior Kroupi, the AFC Bournemouth forward, has received his first call-up to the French national team after coach Zinedine Zidane decided to include him in the squad for the international break in November, to replace Marcus Thuram due to injury.

Kroupi is 20 years old and has previously represented various French national teams, from the Under-16s to the Under-21s, where he played 5 matches and scored 3 goals since September 2025. His call-up to the senior national team marks a new step in his rising career.

Portugal tried to attract him.

Junior Kroupi was among the interests of the Portugal national team, as his former coach Roberto Martínez revealed that the coaching staff contacted the player to call him up during the international break in March. However, the AFC Bournemouth forward made his decision by choosing to represent France.

Martinez previously stated: "It is one thing to follow players who can wear the Portugal shirt, but the player's desire is another thing," clarifying that Kroupi wanted to represent the French national team.

His father is a former international player with Ivory Coast.

Kroupi's family roots trace back to more than one direction, as his father, Élie Kroupi, is a former Ivorian international who played two matches for the Ivory Coast national team. He also wore the FC Lorient shirt between 1999 and 2004, winning the Coupe de France with them in 2002.

The son followed in his father's footsteps after progressing through the FC Lorient academy, and he chose to wear the number 22 shirt in tribute to his father, who currently works as a scout for the French club.

FC Lorient remain loyal despite relegation to the second division.

Kroupi has shown a strong connection to FC Lorient, remaining with the team after their relegation to Ligue 2 in 2024, despite having scored 5 goals in 31 matches in the Premier League.

The young striker played a key role in FC Lorient's return to Ligue 1, contributing to 22 goals during the 2024-2025 season, finishing as the top scorer in the second division. He then transferred to AFC Bournemouth for €13 million in the winter transfer window, remaining on loan at FC Lorient until the end of the season.

4 - Record numbers despite his young age.

Junior Kroupi has entered the history of FC Lorient as the youngest player to participate with the first team. He also became the youngest player to score a brace in Ligue 1 during the 21st century, having found the net twice against Olympique Lyon in October 2023, at the age of 17 years and 105 days.

The French forward continues to shine after his move to AFC Bournemouth, becoming the first teenager to score 13 goals in his first season in the Premier League, surpassing the previous records held by Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane.

He achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first player to score against all three clubs in the top three of the Premier League before turning 20, including Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United.

Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona are both showing interest, but an injury has temporarily sidelined him.

Kroupi attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona last summer after impressing with his ability to finish attacks, move fluidly between lines, and contribute to building offensive play. However, he preferred to continue with AFC Bournemouth, the club that gave him the opportunity to feature in the Premier League.

The player suffered from a broken bone in his foot during the same period, which required him to undergo surgery on his right foot in late July. He returned to the pitch after about three months, which likely contributed to the delay in receiving his chance with the senior French national team, until Zinedine Zidane's call opened a new chapter in his career.