Zidane surprises everyone with Ganiou call-up: 21-year-old Lens defender who once played for Burkina Faso earns first France call-up

Zinedine Zidane has just announced his preliminary squad for France's September international break, and the most surprising name is none other than Ismaïlo Ganiou – the 21-year-old Lens centre-back. In his first squad selection as head coach of Les Bleus, Zidane sent a clear signal: he is willing to gamble on raw talent. Ganiou, born in 2026, is a Lens academy product. He previously represented Burkina Faso at senior level in a friendly match in June 2026, but remains eligible for France under FIFA's change-of-association rules due to the non-competitive nature of that appearance. In March 2026, he also played for France U21s, confirming his high potential. What made Zidane notice Ganiou? The answer lies in two recent standout performances. First, the Champions Trophy (French Super Cup) match between Lens and PSG. Although his team lost, Ganiou was a rare bright spot in defence with intelligent covering and excellent aerial duels against PSG's star attackers. Then, in the Champions League play-off round, Lens beat Slavia Prague 3-2 away from home. Ganiou played the entire 90 minutes, showing strong reading of the game and composure in building attacks from the back. According to RMC Sport, Zidane personally reviewed video footage and reports from Lens' coaching staff. The 52-year-old manager wants to give opportunities to young players, especially those who can cover multiple defensive positions. Ganiou can play left centre-back or left full-back in the 3-4-2-1 system Zidane favours, adding rare tactical flexibility. However, not everyone agrees with this decision. Ganiou has only logged around 1,200 minutes of professional club football and has never regularly faced Europe's top strikers. Compared to other centre-backs available to Zidane – Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Ibrahima Konaté – Ganiou clearly lacks experience and a proven track record. Can a 21-year-old handle the pressure of wearing the France shirt? Look at his Ligue 1 performances this season. Lens play a deep defensive block, requiring centre-backs to cover space quickly and pass under pressure. Ganiou has completed his duties with a pass accuracy above 88% in the last five matches, above the team average. But no advanced metrics (xG, tackles, aerial duels won) have been published to prove whether this form is sustainable or just a hot streak. Zidane once said: "I'm not afraid to make unconventional decisions. If I believe in a player, I will give them a chance." Ganiou's inclusion in the preliminary squad is proof of that statement. But the ball is round, and all praise must be verified on the pitch. The date is set: the final squad will be announced on September 18. If Ganiou makes the cut, he could debut in a World Cup qualifier against Austria – a manageable opponent, but still a test for any newcomer. Interestingly, Ganiou is not the only Lens player in the squad. Two other Lens players – midfielder Florian Thauvin and left-back Matthis Uriol – are also included. This highlights Lens' impressive form under Franck Haise and reinforces the reputation of their academy, which produced talents like Raphaël Varane and Jonathan Clauss. They call me a troublemaker. I call it seeing the next move. Ganiou may be a gamble, but Zidane has won bigger gambles before. Let's wait until September 18 to see whether this 21-year-old truly becomes the new piece in Les Bleus' defence. Whether in V-League or Ligue 1, the logic remains the same: those who dare to experiment are the ones who win.