Junior Kroupi has closed the door on representing Portugal, confirming his sole international ambition is to play for France. The 20-year-old Bournemouth forward was born in France and has always represented French youth teams, now making a definitive choice for the country where he grew up. His decision comes as Portugal is in a rich vein of form, having won their last four matches, including a 2-1 victory over Norway on October 4.

The Portuguese Football Federation contacted the player in May, but the answer was negative. Kroupi holds dual nationality and is also eligible for Ivory Coast, but his decision has always pointed towards Les Bleus. "We all came to an agreement," said Kroupi. "I have always represented the French national team at youth levels, I was born in France and I started playing football in France, so I don't see myself representing a national team from a culture I don't know.

Manager Roberto Martínez had already announced in May that contact had been made and the player had chosen the French path. Kroupi was part of the France under-21 squad during European Championship qualification, but a July injury has kept him off the pitch this season. He has yet to make an appearance for Bournemouth in the 2026/27 campaign, which also ruled him out of contention for France's November squad. His senior debut for France is now expected in March 2027 during the Nations League quarter-finals.

This decision comes as the Portugal national team is in a positive spell, having won four consecutive matches. The most recent was a 2-1 victory over Norway on October 4, with goals from João Cancelo and Gonçalo Ramos. This winning run also includes a 4-2 win in Denmark on October 1, a 2-1 victory in Norway on September 27, and a 1-0 win over Wales on September 24. Roberto Martínez's side remains unbeaten in its latest run of games, a solid record that contrasts with the loss of an attacking option like Kroupi. Another dual-nationality youngster, Lucas da Cunha, was recently called up by France in October. Kroupi scored 13 goals in 35 games for Bournemouth last season, numbers that illustrate the potential Portugal will not be able to call upon.

This story first appeared at Maisfutebol