Can a missed call spark a surge in performance? Udol, who shone for Lens last season, admits he was let down by Zidane’s initial France squad for September‑October.
At 30, Udol expected the national door to open. Pre‑selected for the September‑October camp, he was omitted from the final list for matches against Turkey (0‑1), Belgium (0‑1, 4‑1) and Italy (1‑1). Hours later, the former Messi‑idol channeled his frustration into a goal at Monaco (2‑1) on September 18.
“I was disappointed, plain and simple.” Will Udol’s fire finally earn him a France debut?
“It dropped three hours before, I thought I might be picked. Emotionally it was tough,” Udol told L’Equipe. “Hope turned to disappointment, but it gave me extra drive, which I poured into my strike. I felt a lot of rage, yet I was simply let down. With a short break ahead, I have high‑level games to prove myself and keep knocking on the door,” he added.
Udol aims to turn that rage into fuel to convince Zidane to call him up. He lists his strengths, noting his Champions League experience has boosted his profile. “There’s a chance to claim a place amid the competition,” he says. “It’s become a goal, but I feel no pressure, aware of my roots. If it happens, great; if not, no regret, just a missed chance. At 30, not 24, I know time slips away, and a window may close. My adaptability helps—I can play left‑back in a back four or operate further up the left flank,” he adds.
After four Nations League outings, France now faces Italy on November 12 at 20:45 and Turkey on November 15 at 20:45 in Bordeaux. Udol hopes to be there. With a shortage at left back, Zidane opted for Adrien Truffert and Andy Diouf over Lucas Digne or Theo Hernández, who shared duties at the last World Cup.