Zinedine Zidane has made a special choice on France’s National List, inviting for the first time 21-year-old defender Sael Kubed, who currently plays for Wolfsburg in the second category of German football.
Kambadi has been invited to the League of Nations matches against Italy and Turkey, after Pierre Kalulu of Juventu was forced to leave the gathering because of an injury.
This call is historic, as France had not invited a footballer to be activated in the second category of a championship since February 2007.
She learned the news while waiting for a taxi
The way Kumbed learned the news was as special as the invitation itself. The defender was at home and was preparing to join France U-21 when he received the call that changed his plans. Instead of the youth team, he was invited to the National A, where he will have the opportunity to share the starry dressing room such as Kylian Mupé and Michael Olyse.
I was getting ready to go to the youth team. I was at home waiting for a taxi when my phone rang. They told me I’d be with the first team. I was so happy.
He has also discovered that he had met Zidane before, having played with his son, Elyazian.
I met him before because I played with his son. He came and gave us advice. But now training under his direction is something special. I didn’t expect the invitation to come so soon, but I’m always prepared for this moment. It’s a dream come true, but not the ultimate goal. I must continue to work and stand on the ground.
A similar case had not been seen since 2007
Kumbed’s invitation has received special attention in France, as the last time a footballer from the second category of a championship was included on the French National list was in February 2007.
At the time, Coach Raymond Domenech had invited David Trezeguet and Jean-Alain Bowmsong, who were activated with Juventos in Seville B. The Italian giant was sentenced to decline in the second category after the scandal Calciopoli.
Contrary to that time, Kubad is a young footballer who is seeking to make a big career.
According to French media reports, the lack of alternatives to the right side of defence has affected Zidane’s decision, which has shown that it wants to enable young football players as well.
Who’s Sawl Kubad?
Born on March 26, 2005, in Stains, France, Kubeddi passed through Paris’s Saint-Germain Academys and Le Havres before moving to Lyons in 2022.
In the summer of 2025 he joined Wolfsburg first in borrowing, while the German club later made its transfer permanent. His contract with Wolfsburg is valid until June 2029.
Despite her youth, Kubed has also left a mark on the international level. He was one of France’s leading protagonists at the U-17 European Championship in 2022. In the final to the Netherlands, he scored both goals in the 2-1 win, granting France the continental trophy.
The defender now has the opportunity to make a debut with France’s first team. Turkey will face Italy in Milan on November 12th, while on November 15th they will wait for Turkey in Bordeaux. France leads its group in the League of Nations by ten points after four matches. /Telegraphy/