A new era has commenced in French football, and Como captain Lucas Da Cunha appears set to be a beneficiary of the new sheriff in town.
New Les Bleus boss Zinedine Zidane has handed a maiden invitation to the midfielder to join the senior national team for this month's UEFA Nations League games.
The 25-year-old midfielder is set to feature in Zidane's very first squad as a new cycle begins ahead of Euro 2028.
He has been central to Como's remarkable rise in Italy from a second-tier side to the UEFA Champions League, and his form has now been rewarded.
Da Cunha last represented his country at U-19 level in 2019, but has not managed to catch the attentions of the national team selectors before now.
From Serie B Star to France International: The Rise of Lucas Da Cunha
Lucas Da Cunha has undergone one of modern European football's most compelling growth arcs on his path to senior international football.
Da Cunha is a left-footed central midfielder, but can be deployed as an attacking midfielder, as well.
He began his career at Stade Rennais before moving to Nice on a permanent deal in the summer of 2020.
The midfielder spent just two seasons on the books of Les Aiglons, most of which was spent on loan at Lausanne Sport and Clermont Foot.
He moved to Como in January 2023 for just €500,000 and has steadily evolved into the tactical brain of Cesc Fabregas' side.
His brace in the 4-1 win over Cremonese in May helped to secure a first-ever UEFA Champions League spot for the Serie A side.
He has played 134 times for the club, including in their Champions League debut, a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig this season.
Who Has Zinedine Zidane Called Up This Month?
New France boss Zinedine Zidane has named a 23-man squad for the games against Türkiye, Belgium, and Italy in the UEFA Nations League, rewarding form over reputation.
From the squad that finished fourth at the FIFA World Cup, Maghnes Akliouche, Marcus Thuram, Aurelien Tchouameni, N'Golo Kante, Brice Samba, Lucas Digne, Lucas Hernandez, and Theo Hernandez have been dropped by the erstwhile Real Madrid manager.
In their place, he has handed first call-ups to Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, Inter Milan's Andy Diouf, Liverpool youngster Jeremy Jacquet, and Bournemouth's Adrien Truffert.
Lucas Da Cunha and Stade Rennais striker Esteban Lepaul have also been invited for the first time, and the duo of Pierre Kalulu snd Eduardo Camavinga have been recalled.
France Squad for UEFA Nations League
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Guillaume Restes
Defenders: Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet, Pierre Kalulu, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Malo Gusto, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Truffert, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Rayan Cherki, Lucas Da Cunha, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaïre-Emery.
Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Esteban Lepaul, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise.
