Salah & Szoboszlai run rings around City in champion display

Culture Axis: New Preds, Messi answers 'Stoke' question & more

The Curious Case of Marcelo

Magical Modric inspires Madrid on Mbappe off-day

KDB looks done! Captain leads City flops in Liverpool loss

Editors' Picks

INEOS to distance Man Utd from past as Ferguson blamed for struggles

Rashford's impact at Villa hailed by Asensio & Tielemans

Young quotes Mourinho as he reacts to overturned penalty decision

Man City, Barca & football's most dramatic falls from grace

Bompastor admits 'lying for 13 years' over secret relationship

'You are crazy!' - Amorim can't believe he's only won four games

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Kante hasn't played for France in two years</li><li>Missed the whole of the 2022 World Cup</li><li>But has stayed fit since joining Al-Ittihad</li></ul>

Didier Deschamps explains decision to hand N'Golo Kante shock recall to France squad for Euro 2024

The 33-year-old is part of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ngolo-kante-recall-france-squad-euro-2024/blt6cd1dbdd7aa6b145" target="_blank">Les Bleus' 25-man roster for Euro 2024</a> after last making an international appearance in June 2022. Kante missed the entirety of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar through injury but has 53 caps for France since debuting in 2016

WHAT HAPPENED?

Whether the experienced Kante will play a key role under Deschamps at this tournament remains to be seen. Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga have shone at Real Madrid this season, while the France boss can also call upon Adrien Rabiot, Youssouf Fofana and Warren Zaire-Emery. But Kante has rediscovered his physical prowess since joining Al-Ittihad from Chelsea last summer, racking up 28 appearances in the Saudi top flight this term, so he represents a viable option for one of the tournament favourites.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Justifying Kante's selection, Deschamps said, per <a href="https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/equipe-de-france/euro-2024-pourquoi-deschamps-a-rappele-n-golo-kante_AV-202405160940.html" target="_blank">RMC Sport</a>: "N'Golo Kante was coming out of a 2022/2023 season where he did not play much. He had a full season, certainly not in a European championship but he has regained all his physical abilities. From his experience, I am convinced that the French team will be better with him. He has regained his athletic abilities. We can discuss the specific intensity in Saudi Arabia, but he played more than 4,000 minutes during the season, that's more than 40 games.

 He added at a press conference: "With N'Golo, no matter the situation, there is never a problem. He's an angel. Everyone likes him. He has no guarantees. To be honest, the seven midfielders can be the starters that he deserves or that I give him. He has a status and that weighs, but it’s N’Golo, and N’Golo is fine, he’s fine all the time."

WHAT DESCHAMPS SAID

Kante still has two more games left to play with Al-Ittihad before the conclusion of the season as they look to catch Al-Taawoun in fourth spot. First they host Damac on May 23, before travelling to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr four days later. Avoiding injury ahead of Euro 2024 will likely be Kante's number one priority.

WHAT NEXT FOR KANTE?

Didier Deschamps explains decision to hand N'Golo Kante shock recall to France squad for Euro 2024 | Goal.com

Didier Deschamps says N&apos;Golo Kante&apos;s proven ability to stay fit in the Saudi Pro League this season is behind his recall to the France squad.