Eli Junior Kroupi Replaces Injured Marcus Thuram for France

The French national football team has experienced another squad change as forward Marcus Thuram has withdrawn due to a right hamstring injury. Manager Zinédine Zidane has called up Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi to replace him for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey.

Thuram sustained the injury on Sunday while playing for Inter Milan in a match against Como. According to the French Football Federation, the persistent discomfort kept him out of training, and after medical examinations, team staff decided to release him back to his club in agreement with the player and Inter Milan.

The absence of the 29-year-old forward marks a setback for France, as Thuram had returned to the squad following a strong start to the season in Serie A. His departure opens the door for Kroupi, who earns his first senior selection at just 20 years old.

Kroupi, a former Lorient player currently featuring in the Premier League with Bournemouth, was recently sidelined for several months due to a foot injury. Despite having limited playing time since his return, his potential has drawn significant attention from top European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain.

Earlier, head coach Zinédine Zidane noted that while Kroupi was returning from injury, his profile appealed to the technical staff. Kroupi previously represented France at the youth international level, earning five caps with the under-21 team and scoring three goals.

France currently sits at the top of Group 1 in the UEFA Nations League standings with ten points from four matches, holding a strong position to advance to the quarterfinals. The team will face Italy in Milan before playing Turkey in Bordeaux.