Todibo was called up to the squad alongside AS Monaco man Axel Disasi with Premier League pair Wesley Fofana - the second-most expensive centre-back of all time - and William Saliba pulling out.

Todibo joins his Nice teammate Khéphren Thuram in potentially earning a first senior cap having been a youth international stalwart. Ligue1.com takes a closer look at the "next Raphaël Varane".

Back story:

Born in Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana, on 30 December 1999, Todibo moved to mainland France at the age of four and was eight when he joined his first club FC Les Lilas in the north-eastern suburbs of Paris.

His football career was almost over before it started after a car accident just a year later, but he recovered from multiple leg fractures to win a contract with Toulouse FC by the time he was 16.

Todibo's Ligue 1 Uber Eats career was only 10 games in when Barcelona decided to take a gamble on his talent in 2019, but with Gerard Piqué, Clément Lenglet, Ronald Araujo and Samuel Umtiti in his way, he soon left on loan.

Spells at Schalke, Benfica and Nice followed, before he made his stay at the latter permanent at the start of last season. He has since formed one of the best central-defensive partnerships in the division alongside Brazilian veteran Dante.

Style of play:

Todibo is a centre-back who grew up admiring Andre Pirlo, which might go some way to explaining why he has averaged more than five progressive passes per game over the last year in Ligue 1 Uber Eats.

His is adept at the darker defensive arts - like tackles and interceptions - but also has the technique of a player who used to play further forward, and is able to beat the opposition press with ease.

Current campaign:

Todibo and Dante have been paired at central defence this season just as they were last, but Nice got off to a difficult start and Lucien Favre was sacked as manager in January.

Les Aiglons are undefeated in the league since Didier Digard took charge on a caretaker basis, though, during which time Todibo has helped the side keep six clean sheets.

What they said:

"He's played a lot since he's been in Nice and consistently performed at a very high level. He's gained confidence. He has the profile of a defender, whether in challenges, his speed or his technique. I've been watching him for many months, since before the World Cup."

- Didier Deschamps on Todibo's France call-up.

"It was 24 May; I was nine at the time. I was leaving home to go to judo, I crossed the road and a car hit me. It ended up being a big accident. I still have scars from it but it's ancient history."

- Todibo on an early accident that could have derailed his sporting aspirations.

"Just three years ago, I was in Lilas, training only with my older brother, and now I find myself training with Leo Messi, Luis Suarez. It's fantastic. If I'd thought about this three years ago, I don't think I would've have believed it."

- Todibo after his surprise move to Barcelona.