French team: Camavinga has (finally) scored points

Often disappointing internationally, Eduardo Camavinga, scorer on Thursday, was finally able to raise his level in the French team by delivering a successful performance against Israel (4-1), likely to change his status under the blue jersey.

Since his debut with the Tricolores in September 2020, the Real Madrid midfielder (21 years old) has been waiting for his famous “reference match” under the orders of Didier Deschamps. Certainly, the Israelis are far from being among the leaders of the discipline but for Camavinga, the meeting played in Budapest was perhaps a trigger.

Author of the opening score in the 7th minute on a weak shot pushed back into his own cage by the opposing goalkeeper, his 2nd goal in 22 caps, but above all omnipresent and very technically accurate, Camavinga was one of the best French on the lawn of the tiny Bozsik Aréna.

Until now, the former Rennais had displayed a level in blue that was completely out of step with his performances with the Merengue and the fierce competition raging in the midfield had closed the doors of the starting eleven to him. Enough to fuel a certain frustration, perceptible during Euro-2024.

“I don’t play much, it can’t be fun. Football taught me to be patient. I know my time will come. At the World Cup (in 2022, editor’s note) I didn’t play much either. I am ready until the end. I remain positive”he declared in Germany.

Credible candidate in the middle

The match against Israel could change the situation. While Adrien Rabiot is absent due to late signing with OM and Ngolo Kanté was excused from this October gathering to treat his adductors, the Madrilenian was able to seize his chance to score valuable points in the middle with a view months to come.

There will inevitably be places to take within a French team in full generational renewal and Camavinga is a more than credible candidate to take advantage of them. Especially since in the heart of the game, Kanté, exiled in a minor Championship in Saudi Arabia, showed his physical limits at the Euro at 33 years old.

Seeing him establish himself as a captain of the Blues is in any case a logical continuation for the native of Miconje ​​in Angola, cataloged as a future crack from his first professional steps at 16 with Rennes in 2019 before being enlisted two years later late by the great Real Madrid.

“Cama can do anything. He likes to recover the ball, he has the ability to bring it to life, he likes to project himself too”judged Didier Deschamps about him in November 2023.

“He is a very active player, capable of doing box-to-box and being more offensive and recovering balls. He’s a complete player.”had for his part explained to the Euro Guy Stéphan, the assistant coach.

Lacking playing time in blue, Camavinga was sometimes used on the left side of the defense, a position he also occupied a few times at Real, with rather mixed results. With more maturity and confidence as during the match against Israel, he should logically be offered more prospects in the France team in his preferred position.