Esteban Lepaul targets France debut after Ligue 1 Golden Boot season
Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul has reported for his first France senior camp at Clairefontaine, with the 26-year-old now targeting minutes and a first international goal during a four-match spell.
What we know
- Lepaul arrives after finishing as Ligue 1’s leading scorer in 2025-26, having struck 21 league goals for Rennes.
- He said that goal return gave him belief that he could compete at international level.
- France goalkeeping coach Fabien Barthez welcomed the forward to camp, where Lepaul also reunited with former academy colleagues.
- Any nerves quickly faded in training under new France head coach Zinedine Zidane. Lepaul said receiving passes from the former World Cup winner was an ideal way to work on his finishing.
- Zidane has shown the squad a video on France’s history and the responsibility of wearing the two-star shirt. Lepaul backed the message, saying the reshaped group must understand its role in the national team’s story.
- The Rennes man insists he has not joined the camp simply to watch, highlighting his pressing, movement and readiness to contribute if selected.
What happens next
France face four competitive matches in 14 days, and Lepaul wants the group to win all four. If he gets his chance, the striker will look to open his senior international account before returning to Rennes with the aim of sustaining his domestic form.
