Mattéo Guendouzi could make his senior debut for France against Kazakhstan on Saturday, and he says the warm welcome he has received at Olympique de Marseille has helped him back into the international reckoning.
Guendouzi joined Marseille, alongside William Saliba, on loan from Arsenal at the start of the campaign, and has hit the ground running at the Orange Vélodrome, his three goals and three assists helping OM up into fourth ahead of the second international break of the season.
Previously a mainstay of the Arsenal midfield and a former France under-21 captain, Guendouzi hadn't been called up by Didier Deschamps since 2019 until he arrived at Marseille, and he has paid tribute to the fans' hand in his form.
"Arsenal are very popular in France but since I've been at OM I've felt my notoriety in France climb," he beamed at the pre-match press conference. "My divisive image doesn't bother me at all. Some people say good things about me; some don't, but the most important thing is that the Marseille fans have adopted me."
France take on Kazakhstan and then Finland next Tuesday in FIFA 2022 Word Cup qualifying and currently sit top of Group D in the European section. With Paul Pogba and Corentin Tolisso out with injury, Guendouzi thinks international game time should be his to win.
"I hope to experience my first minutes for France," he said. "It's every kid's dream and one I've worked towards for a very long time. I'm playing alongside the best midfielders in the world, learning and progressing. I'd like to win as may call-ups as possible in my career."
