Mattéo Guendouzi could make his France debut when les Bleus take on Belgium in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals on Thursday, and he is keen to make a lasting impression after settling in quickly at Olympique de Marseille.
Guendouzi was last called up for France two years ago when still an Arsenal player, although he never featured in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers against Albania and Andorra. With Bayern Munich's Corentin Tolisso injured, he has been given another chance, and it it one he intends to seize.
"I want to write a story with the France team," Guendouzi told French football quarterly, Onze Mondial. "It's great to be there in the first place. I'm very happy, but I want to get as many caps as possible, to bring something to this team and stay over the long term. I've accumulated a lot of games with the youth teams, and was notably captain."
Guendouzi is back in the reckoning after an impressive start to his Marseille career. On loan at the club from Arsenal alongside fellow Gunner William Saliba, they have helped OM collect 14 points from eight Ligue 1 Uber Eats games so far. To say he is happy at the Orange Vélodrome would be an understatement.
"Before coming to Marseille, I had many options," Guendouzi continued. "Talking to president [Pablo] Longoria and coach [Jorge] Sampaoli was what convinced me. I immediately said, 'I want OM'. First of all, Marseille is the biggest club in France, the club has won the Champions League, it has a great history. It has the most fervent support in the country."
