Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul is prepared to postpone his wedding if he receives a call-up to the France squad for the 2026 World Cup, according to an interview with Telefoot. The 26-year-old, who is currently Ligue 1's top scorer with 18 goals, described representing his country as "the Holy Grail" and stated he would not let personal plans interfere with the opportunity.
The forward's rise has been meteoric. As recently as January 2024, Lepaul was playing in France's third tier before a €200,000 move to Angers acted as a springboard. His form there prompted Rennes to sign him for €13.5 million last summer, where he has outperformed established stars like Ousmane Dembele. His goalscoring exploits have now put him on the radar of national team manager Didier Deschamps ahead of the tournament in North America.
Lepaul admitted that winning the Ligue 1 golden boot, currently leading the race, is his primary focus and likely his clearest path to international recognition. "Scoring goals is what motivates me most in life," he said. "If I don't score, I'm unhappy." He cited Erling Haaland and Antoine Griezmann as current inspirations for his playing style, which data analytics suggests is that of a pure penalty-box striker.
His form has also attracted significant transfer interest. According to reports from But, Chelsea's ownership group BlueCo sees him as a potential replacement for the Chelsea-bound Emmanuel Emegha at Strasbourg, their sister club. He is also viewed as an alternative to the injured Joaquin Panichelli.
Analysis from SciSports indicates that despite his rapid development, a move to an absolute elite club may be premature. Their model suggests Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund, and Napoli as optimal fits based on playing style, development potential, and likely game time. Clubs like Manchester United and Barcelona are rated as decent options, but the data suggests he would likely be a squad player at that level currently.
For now, Lepaul's immediate future remains at Rennes, with his sights set firmly on finishing the season as Ligue 1's top scorer. A strong finish could force Deschamps' hand for a World Cup squad place, even in a French attack loaded with talent. Whether his wedding plans proceed this summer may ultimately depend on a phone call from the national team manager.
