France national team: Lacroix, the last-minute call-up set to shake up the pecking order?

Called up for the first time for this March training camp following William Saliba’s injury, centre-back Maxence Lacroix impressed for France in Sunday’s 3-1 friendly win over Colombia. However, in his position, the pecking order seems difficult to shake up.

Maxence Lacroix has seized a somewhat unexpected opportunity to the full. Performing well for Crystal Palace, the 25-year-old centre-back took advantage of William Saliba’s withdrawal to be called up for the first time to the France squad for this March camp.

After a solid performance against Brazil (2-1) on Thursday, the former Sochaux player impressed everyone against Colombia (3-1) in Sunday’s friendly.

Lacroix was very solid

Partnering Lucas Hernandez in a reshuffled starting eleven, Lacroix justified the faith placed in him by manager Didier Deschamps. Awarded a 7/10 by the Maxifoot editorial team (see Debrief and Ratings here), the French international exuded a calm confidence, both in his interventions and in his distribution. Dominant in one-on-one situations, he also made a crucial tackle on Luis Diaz early in the second half.

“I’ve wanted to come here for a very long time, so I tried to enjoy myself. It’s easier with players like that around, but I threw myself into it. Wearing the French national team’s badge is wonderful. It’s a source of immense pride. Was I destined to make the national team? Yes, I was, because it was a goal of mine. I gave quite a few interviews saying I was putting myself forward for a place. I got this opportunity and I took it,” Lacroix summed up in the mixed zone.

A well-established pecking order, but…

Called up at the last minute in March, can the Villeneuve-Saint-Georges native now dream of the 2026 World Cup? A major hurdle stands in his way: a very well-established pecking order in his position. Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Ibrahima Konaté and Lucas Hernandez seem to be a step ahead of him. And as we know, Deschamps likes to rely on continuity. However, Lacroix could prove a reliable option should one of his rivals suffer an injury or should the squad structure be altered to include a fifth centre-back. In any case, he has demonstrated all his qualities.