Audio By Carbonatix
Eric Abidal and Samir Nasri were both recalled to the France team for the first time in over a year on Thursday as coach Didier Deschamps named a 23-man squad for a friendly match against Belgium in Brussels next week.
Abidal, 33, joined Monaco in July after Barcelona opted not to renew his contract and won the last of his 61 caps for Les Bleus in February 2012 before undergoing a liver transplant that sidelined him for just under 12 months.
"He joined Monaco and he got through the pre-season quite well. I followed the warm-up matches, where he was very much at ease. He has international experience, he's been through several competitions," said Deschamps, explaining his decision to recall the defender.
"He's played 61 times for France. In relation to that and the need for players with international experience, after discussing with him at length his state of mind regarding his selection, I took the decision to recall him."
Nasri, 26, last turned out for France at Euro 2012, after which the Manchester City midfielder was banned from the national team for three matches following a spat with a journalist following the quarter-final defeat to Spain.
Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, a member of France's triumphant under-20 World Cup side this summer, was also called up for the first time.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Bastia), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham/ENG), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)
Defenders: Eric Abidal (Monaco), Gael Clichy (Manchester City/ENG), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle/ENG), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal/ENG), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto/POR), Adil Rami (Valencia/ESP), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG)
Midfielders: Etienne Capoue (Toulouse), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Josuha Guilavogui (Saint-Etienne), Geoffrey Kondogbia (Sevilla/ESP), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Samir Nasri (Manchester City/ENG), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle/ENG), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/ESP), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal/ENG), Dimitri Payet (Marseille), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER)
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Nearly 90 million Americans under extreme cold alerts as storm cuts power to many, grounds 17,000 flights
9 minutes -
BoG urges caution as MPC weighs policy response to improving economic conditions
18 minutes -
DVLA announces licence reform, expiry now based on birth date
20 minutes -
GoldBoD as regulator and operator in a way encourages galamsey — Afenyo-Markin
30 minutes -
Greek side Kampaniakos sign Ghanaian youngster Kelvin Lamptey-Mills
35 minutes -
African exporters, manufacturers gain duty-free access as US lawmakers renew trade pact
35 minutes -
NADMO demolitions at Bush Road aim to protect Kpeshie lagoon, prevent floods
37 minutes -
Forty Under 40 Africa presents Ga Mantse with the Africa trophy ahead of 2026 awards in Accra
48 minutes -
Bawumia set for landslide victory in NPP primaries – Kweku Quarshie
56 minutes -
CPP’s Kwame Botsio links Jacobu clash to civic education gap, cites constitutional mandate
58 minutes -
FIFA launch 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil
60 minutes -
24-hour economy to revolutionise Ghana’s economy — Kwakye Ofosu
1 hour -
The Last Bailout Illusion: Why Ghana’s pledge to exit IMF dependency requires more than presidential promises
1 hour -
Ayew and Fatawu to work under new manager as Leicester dismiss Cifuentes
1 hour -
‘This is horrifying’ – Minneapolis residents reel from second deadly shooting
1 hour
