Jean Butez, wine and puzzles: who is Zidane’s new France call-up? | OneFootball

Little known in France, goalkeeper Jean Butez, 31, was called up by Zinédine Zidane on Sunday to replace the withdrawn Robin Risser, becoming the oldest France call-up since Gérard Farison in 1976.

He has reported to Clairefontaine as third-choice and arrives off the back of a January 2025 move to Como, the Italian club competing in the Champions League. The switch has brought wider exposure.

"I have taken a step up," he said. "I think I have moved to another level, even if things were already good in Belgium. It is an undervalued league that deserves more light. At Como, my goalkeeping coach works on every aspect, video, tactics, nutrition." The interview was with L’Équipe in February.

Developed at Lille from 2004 to 2018, from academy to first team without making a senior appearance, Butez offers traits that suit Zidane, proactive and precise with the ball. He completed 22.5 short passes per match last season, the fifth best figure among Serie A goalkeepers.

Breakthrough years came at Royal Antwerp between 2020 and 2025, and he had been monitored by Franck Raviot, predecessor to Fabien Barthez as Les Bleus goalkeeping coach, yet was never called. A man of faith with passions that include wine and puzzles, he may not play a minute but could add freshness and dressing-room know-how to the squad.

Source: Le Progres

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