Esteban Lepaul

Esteban Lepaul is the name on French football fans' lips after the striker earned a place with the national team, Les Bleus. Local paper La République du Centre looked back at his years at Orléans, recalling that 'he had something special about him' as coaches and teammates reflect on his rise from lower-league football to international selection.

Esteban Lepaul is drawing attention as a battling striker whose rise has impressed Zinedine Zidane amid Kylian Mbappe's absence from the France setup. Reports frame his story as one of overcoming setbacks to reach prominence, with the young forward now seen as a candidate for a bigger role with the national team.

Esteban Lepaul has been named in the France national team as a new striker, prompting retrospectives on his early years at Orleans. Local paper La République du Centre recalls his time with the club, quoting those who noted he 'had something special about him', as attention turns to the rise of the young forward.