Following Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris' retirement from international football earlier this week, it appears as though Steve Mandanda, his backup for 15 years, is also set to retire from international competition.
The 37-year-old has been behind the Spurs man in the French pecking order since 2008, but has reportedly decided against finally taking the chance to grab the Number 1 shirt for the first time in his career.
This could lead to Leeds United star Illan Meslier finally getting a call-up to the senior team under Didier Deschamps - a feat he has not yet achieved despite three solid seasons with the Whites.
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The 22-year-old now has to compete with West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola who was France's third-choice at the World Cup in Qatar last month for the number one shirt.
However, he also must break through past Nantes shot-stopper Alban Lafont as well as AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, both of whom have featured before the World Cup as backups to Lloris, if he wants a serious chance at taking it.
Having made 11 appearances for the Under-21s over the last 20 months, it could be the perfect time for Meslier to get a much-earned call-up, having slogged through the lower levels of the French national team setup from the Under-17s all the way to potentially leading his country at the next European Championships.
Euro 2024 - which takes place from June 14 and July 14 next summer in Germany - will provide a great chance for Meslier to impress over the next two seasons as Whites' number one and secure himself a spot in the squad.
Looking slightly further ahead, his young age also means that by the next World Cup in 2026, he'll be 26 years old and entering the prime of his footballing ability as a goalkeeper, meaning he could be even more of a shoo-in than before.
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