Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane has already emerged as France’s key player despite only being 21.
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He may be among the youngest players in Didier Deschamps’s France squad, but defender Varane is the only player to have featured in all of France’s matches since the 2014 World Cup.
Since crashing out to Germany in the quarter-finals in Brazil, Les Bleus have played eight games as they prepare for the 2016 European Championships, which they are set to host.
In September they beat Spain and drew with Serbia, in October they recorded victories over both Portugal and Armenia, while they bested Sweden and drew with Albania in November.
Over the last week, they were defeated 3-1 by Brazil—their first loss since last summer—and then returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Denmark on Sunday evening.
The only player to have featured in all eight matches is Varane, who has been present for all five victories, the two draws and the defeat to the Selecao.
He was even recently named as France captain in the absence of injured keeper Hugo Lloris.
Varane may be among the youngest players in the Bleus squad, but there aren’t too many who are more important than him.