Paris FC: how Pagis reacted to his first France call-up

The 23-year-old Paris FC striker was named in Zinédine Zidane's France squad for Nations League matches, the first player from the club to earn a senior call-up since 1973.

Pablo Pagis has received his first senior call-up to the France national team at age 23, selected by manager Zinédine Zidane for upcoming Nations League fixtures. The Paris FC striker learned of his selection while travelling with his club, receiving congratulations and good-natured ribbing from teammates on the team bus. His teammates joked about his distinctive hairstyle, nicknaming him "Avatar" after the anime character.

Zidane confirmed Pagis had been in his expanded shortlist and praised the player's qualities. "He's interesting, different, and it's good to be able to see him at this gathering," the manager said. Pagis is a historic selection for Paris FC — the first player from the club to earn a senior France cap since 1973. Club owner and incoming president Antoine Arnault celebrated the news on social media, expressing pride in the selection ahead of Paris FC's Ligue 2 match against Auxerre.