We take a look at the best French wonderkids that could play at Euro 2024, and analyse which could be ‘the next Mbappe’ as we reminisce how he broke onto the scene as a teenager and made such a big impact for his country, helping them win the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Kylian Mbappé scored four goals in the tournament, including one in the final as France beat Croatia 4-2. He is now one of the best players in the world, as we analyse who could take a similar journey with the national team, with the criteria being they must be under 22 years old.
French wonderkids power rankings – Who could play at Euro 2024?
1. Warren Zaire-Emery (18)
The closest to ‘the next Mbappe’ France have is Zaire-Emery, who at just 18 years old, has already been capped by France at senior level, and even scored on his debut in their 14-0 thrashing of Gibraltar in Euros qualifying in November, when he was just 17!
Incidentally, Mbappe and Zaire-Emery are teammates at club level too with PSG, with the latter already playing 64 times for the senior team, scoring five goals and making six assists. They play in different positions of course, with Zaire-Emery a central midfielder, but there is no doubt he has huge potential.
Zaire-Emery has also been called up to the latest France squad for their upcoming friendlies against Euro 2024 hosts Germany and South American opponents Chile, so should be on course to make their final Euros squad this summer.
2. Eduardo Camavinga (21)
Camavinga is a more established player than Zaire-Emery, but is also three years older. Still, he makes the list at 21 years old. The central midfielder has already been capped 13 times for France at senior level, and featured in the last major international tournament – the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Camavinga earned a big-money move to Real Madrid in the 2021/22 season after impressing in French football with Rennes, and has since played 131 times for Los Blancos, already winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League with them among many other accolades.
Like Zaire-Emery, Camavinga has also been included in the latest France squad for their upcoming friendlies, and should be on the plane for the Euros.
3. Malo Gusto (20)
Gusto has not been picked in the latest France squad for their upcoming friendlies, but still has a decent chance of getting on the plane for the Euros. He has been capped once at senior level, and is playing regularly at club level with Chelsea.
Indeed, Gusto has played 29 times in all competitions for the Blues so far this season, recording an impressive eight assists. In what has been a poor campaign for Chelsea, the right-back has been a standout.
4. Mathys Tel (18)
Tel has not yet been capped by France at senior level, but has made plenty of appearances through their youth teams. He plays his club football at Bayern Munich, so has already shone on the big stage.
Indeed, Tel has already played 61 times for Bayern, scoring 14 goals and supplying four assists, and his versatility to be able to play anywhere across the front line could make him a wildcard pick for the Euros.
5. Bradley Barcola (21)
Barcola has an outside chance of making the Euros squad, especially if French wingers like Ousmane Dembele and Moussa Diaby continue to underperform numbers-wise at club level. Like Tel, Barcola has never been capped by France at senior level, but has netted four times and made five assists in just 13 U21 caps.
Like Mbappé and Zaire-Emery, Barcola also plays his club football at PSG, and so has already established a strong connection with these players. He has scored three goals and produced six assists in 30 appearances for them in all competitions, albeit often as a substitute.
France at Euro 2024 – Current outrights
- To win – 4/1
- To reach the final – 7/4
- To reach the semi-final – 8/13
