Could a last‑minute call‑up bring joy to a household? Eli Junior Kroupi stepped in for Marcus Thuram and helped France A beat Italy 3‑1 on Thursday night, delighting his parents glued to the TV.
A glimmer of happiness amid France’s woes. The Blues fell 3‑1 to Italy at San Siro, Zidane’s first loss as coach, yet the Kroupi parents smiled as their son entered in the 77th minute for Bradley Barcola.
Wearing the iconic No 9 once worn by Olivier Giroud, the 20‑year‑old was summoned by Zidane to cover Thuram’s absence and tasted his first minutes in a France shirt. “If Junior scores, we’ll ask the mayor for a holiday in Lorient tomorrow,” joked Eli, his father, while the family watched at their Morbihan home. Mother Sandrine broke down, saying, “I cried with pride – the stress made it even more beautiful.” In my view, his debut was a bright spot for a struggling side.
Will his dream inspire a new chapter for Les Bleus?
“He has everything to gain if he stays on,” Eli noted as Italy netted a second goal. The youngster, alongside Senny Mayulu and Saël Kumbedi, made his first A‑team appearance at 3‑1 down. Amid a crowded squad reeling from a third Italian strike, his brief cameo meant the world to his parents. “It’s magnificent, I’m so proud. He played 20 minutes, just back from injury, and saw the intensity. Junior is now a French international,” Eli beamed.
Despite the setback at San Siro, France still eye a quarter‑final spot. Zidane’s men will face Turkey on Sunday at 20:45, and the Kroupi family plans to travel to Bordeaux, hoping to watch their son enjoy a longer spell in front of French fans.