Lucas Da Cunha delivered an impressive debut for the French national team during a hard-fought 1–0 victory against Belgium in Brussels, showcasing a level of composure that surprised many observers given his difficult past on the French Riviera. Operating in a newly configured midfield trio alongside Eduardo Camavinga and Maghnès Akliouche, the 25-year-old Como captain anchored the play with technical precision and defensive reliability.
Dante Explains Why the Midfielder Struggled at Nice
Before establishing himself in Serie A and earning a senior international call-up from Zinédine Zidane, Da Cunha endured a frustrating stint with OGC Nice following his arrival at the club in 2020. Speaking on the RMC broadcast program Rothen s’enflamme, former Nice captain Dante addressed the midfielder’s struggles on the Côte d’Azur, attributing his lack of playing time to a difficult environment rather than a lack of ability.
According to Dante, the club invested heavily in the squad during Da Cunha’s tenure, bringing in a wave of high-profile attacking talents such as Justin Kluivert, Amine Gouiri, and Calvin Stengs. That heavy recruitment created intense competition for places, leaving the young midfielder on the outside looking in. Dante noted that Da Cunha simply arrived at Nice at the wrong moment, making it nearly impossible for him to secure consistent minutes during his three-year stay.
A Resilient Character and an Unsurprising Rise to the Bleus
Despite making just 11 appearances for Nice and spending multiple spells out on loan before his permanent transfer to Italy, Da Cunha maintained a strong work ethic that left a lasting impression on his former teammates. Dante emphasized that the player’s recent ascension to Les Bleus comes as no shock to those who witnessed his daily commitment behind the scenes.
The Brazilian defender recalled that even when Da Cunha was left out of matchday squads, he approached every training session with maximum intensity, displaying considerable courage, tactical understanding, and a willingness to take risks. That perseverance ultimately laid the groundwork for his career revival in Italy and his breakthrough under Zidane in Brussels.
From Serie A and Champions League Football to International Recognition
Da Cunha’s career trajectory shifted dramatically after leaving French football behind. Now captaining Como and competing in the UEFA Champions League, the former Stade Rennais youth product has translated his club leadership into immediate international comfort. Placed in front of the defensive line against Belgium, his calm distribution helped fluidify the French build-up play, earning praise for an outing that belied his lack of prior senior caps.
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