"A bit like a stopgap": After Foot questions Zidane's surprise Pagis selection for France

Pagis earns first France call-up under Zidane after strong start with Paris FC, but pundits question if it's merit-based or a marketing move ahead of Nations League matches.

Pablo Pagis has received his first senior call-up to the France squad under new manager Zinédine Zidane, rewarded for an impressive start to the season with Ligue 1 side Paris FC. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has impressed early in the campaign as Paris FC sits fourth in the league.

However, pundit Maxime Chanot acknowledged the selection as deserved while noting Zidane's reasoning felt "a bit like a stopgap". Chanot suggested Pagis is intelligent enough to understand he may not feature when France's full squad is available, but praised Zidane for giving credibility to Ligue 1 and offering different tactical options.

Journalist Florent Gautreau was more critical, describing the call-up as "marketing" and "advertising" selections designed to show Zidane's break from predecessor Deschamps and his preference for technical players. Gautreau noted that while Pagis excels in Ligue 1, he may struggle at international level, and that such opportunities often close when "the elite level catches up". Zidane confirmed Pagis was on an extended list and wanted to see him in action. France face Italy on Thursday in Milan and Turkey on November 15 in Bordeaux in Nations League fixtures.