Jean Butez, surprise pick in Zidane’s first France squad after Risser withdrawal | OneFootball

Jean Butez has received his first France call-up at 31 and three months, replacing Robin Risser in Zinédine Zidane’s inaugural squad. He will report to Clairefontaine this week.

The federation announced that Risser, not fully fit, will miss the camp and the 4 matches in 11 days, and that Butez comes in.

His persistence has been constant. After his name surfaced in March, he dared to believe, yet he watched Friday’s 18:00 squad video without seeing it, as Guillaume Restes was preferred.

Called now, he becomes the oldest first-time France call-up since 1976, when Gérard Farison was 32 and one month. The Lille-born goalkeeper has earned this step.

Close to joining Lens, he instead moved to Côme in January 2025 after four and a half years with Royal Antwerp. He says he has gone up a level, considers Belgium underrated, works meticulously with his goalkeeping coach on video, tactics and nutrition, and has focused heavily on self-improvement.

With Côme, whom he helped reach the Champions League for the first time in their history, he is now one of the most respected keepers in Italy. Comfortable with the ball, he joins play early and sweeps high.

Off the pitch, he enjoys Italy’s wine and coffee. Long observed by former France goalkeeping coach Franck Raviot, the scrutiny sometimes weighed on him, yet he remains calm, open and curious.

He lives quietly between Côme, Milan and Merris with his wife and two children, a third on the way. A man of faith who likes cycling, racket sports, motorsport and puzzles, he brings freshness to the group.

Source: L'Équipe

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