Estéban Lepaul, the leading scorer in Ligue 1, has stated he is not anticipating a call-up to the French national team for the upcoming World Cup, despite his recent form for Rennes. The 26-year-old forward revealed he has not received a pre-selection notification from national team manager Didier Deschamps, acknowledging he “doesn’t expect anything.”
Lepaul was speaking after Rennes’ 2-1 victory over Paris FC, a match in which he was again instrumental. Despite the potential disappointment of missing out on World Cup selection, Lepaul indicated his routine will not change, stating he plans to watch the 20:00 news broadcast presented by Gilles Bouleau, a popular French news anchor. “I watch the 20 heures, that won’t change from habit,” he said, adding he intends to spend a “quiet evening.”
The forward is currently focused on Rennes’ upcoming match against Olympique de Marseille at the Vélodrome. Lepaul described the atmosphere at Marseille’s stadium as “the best you can get” and expressed his eagerness for the fixture. He believes it is an “incredible” match for Rennes, particularly given their strong form towards the end of the season.
Lepaul previously played for Angers before joining Rennes, where he has established himself as a prolific goalscorer. His current form has been a key factor in Rennes securing a return to European competition next season. While World Cup dreams may be fading, Lepaul has personal milestones on the horizon, including a wedding, which he alluded to with a touch of humor when discussing his plans for the coming weeks. The club has not commented on any potential transfer interest in Lepaul, and he remains under contract with Rennes.
