Third injury blow for Zidane's France: Tchouaméni leaves the squad

Zinédine Zidane's France camp just can't catch a break. Aurélien Tchouaméni is the third player to pull out in two days, and he won't play in either of this month's Nations League games.

What happened?

The Real Madrid midfielder injured his adductors (groin muscles) in training at Clairefontaine on Tuesday. He is leaving the squad and is out of both games of this international window.

That means no match in Italy on Thursday, and none against Türkiye next Sunday in Bordeaux.

Tchouaméni has 50 caps and 3 goals for France.

A cascade of absences

It started on Monday, when defender Pierre Kalulu was ruled out. Young Saël Kumbedi was called up to replace him.

On Tuesday it was Marcus Thuram's turn. Rookie Éli Junior Kroupi gets his first France call-up in his place.

Tchouaméni then followed later the same day. Three changes before a ball has even been kicked.

Why does this one sting?

Tchouaméni had not been picked for Zidane's first gathering, because he was judged not fit enough after an injury picked up during the World Cup in the United States. This time he was in the squad.

Now he will have to wait again before playing under Zidane, the 1998 world champion who took over the Bleus after the World Cup.

What's next?

Zidane has to rework his midfield before Thursday's game in Italy. The Bleus then host Türkiye in Bordeaux on Sunday, still in the Nations League.