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Top Scorer: Estéban Lepaul, a surprise option for Les Bleus?

After scoring his 17th goal of the season in a 3-0 win at Strasbourg, Estéban Lepaul has strengthened his position at the top of the scoring charts. Could the Rennes forward now be a surprise inclusion in Didier Deschamps’ squad next month?
G.BOXALL
Published on 04/23/2026 at 09:30
2-minute read
After scoring his 17th goal of the season in a 3-0 win at Strasbourg, Estéban Lepaul has strengthened his position at the top of the scoring charts. Could the Rennes forward now be a surprise inclusion in Didier Deschamps’ squad next month?

Estéban Lepaul netted his 17th Ligue 1 McDonald’s goal of the season, continuing his remarkable campaign. After Matthieu Udol — who impressed with RC Lens but was ultimately overlooked — attention has now turned to Lepaul (Stade Rennais) as a potential surprise call-up for the France squad ahead of the World Cup list announcement on May 14.

“Lepaul could be part of Deschamps’ squad”

The injury to Hugo Ekitiké and Lepaul’s red-hot form have led pundits to back his inclusion. Former France international François Clerc suggested that Lepaul “could be part of Didier Deschamps’ squad,” a view supported by Adil Rami:

“I agree. I’m in favour of players like him joining the national team. I know he can surprise people.”

Late call-ups: a familiar story for Les Bleus

France have a history of integrating players late into major tournament squads. Ahead of the 2022 World Cup, Randal Kolo Muani and Youssouf Fofana were only introduced in the September camp, with Kolo Muani playing just 10 minutes before securing his place in Qatar. Axel Disasi, meanwhile, made the leap straight into both the national team and the World Cup squad.

A “Top Scorer” title within reach

In the meantime, Lepaul has a Ligue 1 “Top Scorer” crown firmly in his sights — and his current form makes him the favourite.

With 8 goals in his last 10 matches, the Rennes striker has now reached 17 league goals this season (16 with Rennes). That makes him the club’s most prolific debut-season scorer since Stéphane Guivarc’h in 1996/97 (22 goals).

He now leads the scoring charts outright:

  • +1 ahead of Panichelli (Strasbourg), who is out for the rest of the season
  • +2 ahead of Mason Greenwood (Marseille)
  • +5 ahead of Folarin Balogun (Monaco), currently 4th

Could Deschamps spring another surprise?

History suggests he might. In 2021, Karim Benzema was sensationally recalled for the EURO squad after a five-and-a-half-year absence. Jules Koundé was selected for the finals without prior caps, while Samuel Umtiti had benefited from a late inclusion years earlier.

More recently:

  • Jean-Philippe Mateta earned his first call-up at 28
  • Florian Thauvin returned after over six years away

READ MORE: 

>> PSG cruise past Nantes to extend lead

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