Zidane pleased and optimistic after four Nations League matches

Éli Junior Kroupi (Lorient, 2006) stands out as one of French football's brightest prospects. The 20-year-old forward has football in his blood: his father, Éli Kroupi, was an Ivory Coast international who lifted the Coupe de France with Lorient back in 2002. It was in Brittany that the youngster took his first strides in the game, joining the academy at seven years of age before embarking on a meteoric rise through the youth ranks. By 15, he had already struck 17 goals in 14 outings for the Under-17s and made his bow for the reserves. In June 2022, he penned his first professional deal, going on to make his Ligue 1 debut just a year later at only 16.

His true breakthrough came in the 2024-25 campaign, when he clinched the Ligue 2 golden boot with 22 goals in 30 appearances. That prolific form proved crucial in firing Lorient to the title and automatic promotion, whilst also seeing him crowned the division's Player of the Season. At the same time, Kroupi was flourishing on the international stage with France's development sides, most notably plundering nine goals in nine games for the U17s. He was also a runner-up at the 2024 U19 Euros and has registered three goals in five caps for the Under-21s.

AFC Bournemouth saw off stiff competition to secure his signature in February 2025, allowing him to see out the remainder of the season on loan at Lorient. The striker made the switch to English football that summer, and Andoni Iraola wasted little time harnessing his qualities. The Spanish coach integrated him across the forward line, making full use of his mobility, intelligent movement, and ruthless streak in front of goal. The payoff was a sparkling debut Premier League campaign, yielding 13 goals in 33 matches throughout 2025-26.

His rapid ascent was temporarily checked in the summer of 2026 by a severe foot injury requiring surgery. Sidelined for roughly three months, he did not return to competitive action until October 25 against Manchester United. This season, he has been restricted to just 57 minutes across four competitive outings, underlining his recent absence from regular first-team football on the south coast.

Despite that lack of match sharpness, Zinedine Zidane opted to hand him his first senior call-up for France as an injury replacement for Marcus Thuram. The head coach has long kept a watchful eye on his progress and will now run the rule over him in the Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey. Furthermore, Kylian Mbappe's late withdrawal from Thursday's showdown with the Azzurri could pave the way for Kroupi to make his bow for 'Les Bleus', even as he continues his pursuit of full fitness.