Pablo Pagis France national team debut training camp, Digi Mart USA News (Clairefontaine, France): Pablo Pagis has been named to Zinédine Zidane’s squad of 23 players for France’s final two UEFA Nations League matches, away to Italy on Thursday and against Turkey on Sunday. The 23-year-old forward is a surprise inclusion, benefiting from absences in attack including Ousmane Dembélé, Maghnes Akliouche and Esteban Lepaul.
Pagis, who had never been selected at youth international level, made his first appearances with the squad at Clairefontaine on Monday. Speaking to the media at the edge of the training pitch afterward, he said he hoped to add to an already talented group while staying humble and trying to play his own football.
Pagis said his integration with his new teammates had gone well, describing the group as “very good, very simple,” with players who do not take themselves too seriously and laugh together. He said he had only been at the camp for a few hours and would keep learning from the players every day.
The former Lorient player, who left the club for Paris FC this summer, also praised the technical level he had seen in training. “There is quality, the balls move very fast, there is very little waste, it is pleasant to play with these players and this quality,” he said.
Pagis described his call-up as the reward for a gradual rise that has given him a valuable role at Paris FC. “I have struggled, but like all players I think,” he said, adding that reaching this level required sacrifices and great effort.
He could earn his first cap this week if Zidane decides to give him playing time. Zidane said Pagis was in the extended list and was a player he wanted to see, describing him as interesting and different.
“I don’t know how it will go, there are two matches, we will see,” the coach said.
