Christopher Nkunku was left out of Zinédine Zidane’s latest France squad, which has raised doubts about the in-form attacker’s place in the national team. Nkunku, who is enjoying a resurgence in form with RB Leipzig, has not represented France since November 2025.
Despite his strong performances for the German club, where he has scored 5 goals and provided 4 assists in just 11 matches this season, Nkunku’s name was not prominent in discussions surrounding the national team. Zidane instead chose to call up Pablo Pagis for his first cap, following an injury to Maghnès Akliouche, opting to discover a new profile rather than recall the 28-year-old.
Nkunku’s Leipzig Resurgence
Nkunku has “retrouvé une seconde jeunesse” since returning to RB Leipzig, according to the report. The Frenchman, who previously struggled with injuries and a lack of continuity, has found his form again in a familiar environment. His recent performance included a goal and an assist in Leipzig’s 5-2 victory over Augsburg, further solidifying his status as a key player for the club.
Zidane’s Squad Selection
The omission comes at a time when France’s attacking options have been depleted by injuries. While other names like Eli Junior Kroupi and Mathys Tel were discussed in the days leading up to the squad announcement, Nkunku was not a major topic of conversation. Zidane explained his choice to prioritize new faces, stating he wished to discover a “profil différent” (different profile) by calling up Pagis.
International Future in Question
With 18 caps for France to his name, Nkunku possesses experience at the highest level and the versatility to play in various offensive roles, which could have been valuable to Zidane. His absence from the latest squad means he has now gone nearly a year without being called up. The report suggests he will need to “enchaîner et gagner encore en régularité pour relancer le débat autour de son avenir international” (string together more consistent performances to reignite the debate about his international future).
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