Pablo Pagis, the Paris FC attacking midfielder, already has international ambitions while his father, former OM striker Mickaël Pagis, firmly believes in his chances of joining the French selection. The 23-year-old, transferred from Lorient to Paris FC for around 15 million euros, received a pre-call for the September 2024 rally, which raised hopes of permanent integration into the Blues group.
The new coach, Zinédine Zidane, announced his first official squad for the 2026 World Cup, banking on several new faces. Among them, Estéban Lepaul, the Stade Rennais striker and top scorer in Ligue 1 last season, was selected. Lepaul, 26, has thus reached an important stage in his career, while Pagis remains awaiting the final call-up. Both players had received a pre-call-up, but Zidane ultimately chose Lepaul for the final list, leaving Pagis in limbo.
Mickaël Pagis said his son should not be surprised by this decision, stressing that France was one of his objectives. He also insisted on technique, the ability to keep the ball in small spaces and his son's vision of the game, qualities that he considers compatible with Zidane's demands. According to him, the international level is different, but he thinks that Pablo is “not far” from reaching it.
For Pagis, the pre‑convocation remains a motivational engine. He must continue to perform with Paris FC in order to convince Zidane during the next rallies. The coach is looking to inject freshness into his offensive sector, and Pagis must prove that he can contribute to this dynamic. On the other hand, Lepaul must justify the confidence placed in him by continuing to score and maintain a high level in Ligue1.
At present, the Pagis selection is not closed. He remains a young player, with time to develop and get noticed. The next step will be to confirm his presence at the club, both for Pagis and for Lepaul, in order to consolidate their respective positions in the French offensive panorama.