Real Madrid 21-year-old youngster could start for national team in Euro quarterfinals

Despite a lacklustre performance, Kylian Mbappe’s France team progressed to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Euro 2024 by defeating Belgium 1-0 last night.

Mbappe, the future of Real Madrid, will go up against one of the greatest ever to have played for the club in Cristiano Ronaldo as France set up a date with Portugal in the last-eight stage.

It came at an expense though as Les Bleus will now have to make do without midfielder Adrien Rabiot, a surprise target for Real Madrid, who is now suspended for the quarterfinals due to an accumulation of cards.

Eduardo Camavinga could get a look in

With Rabiot suspended, it opens up a spot in France’s midfield department for the clash against Portugal.

And, according to MARCA, Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga could be in contention to fill the gap and start in the quarterfinal encounter.

The 21-year-old is not a regular starter for France under Didier Deschamps and even when he has played, he has been asked to do a job as a makeshift left-back more often than not.

So far at the Euros, Camavinga has played just twice and less than 50 minutes and was on the receiving end of a scolding from the manager after the group game against Poland and there were signs of tension during a subsequent training session.

But the Real Madrid wonderkid could get an opportunity to now make an impression in one of the biggest matches of the competition.

Deschamps does have other options in midfield while he could alternatively opt to go into the game with another forward like Ousmane Dembele and move Antoine Griezmann into a deeper role.

So, at the moment, there is nothing guaranteed, but should Camavinga get an opportunity, he will be eager to make the most of it and help France see off Portugal’s challenge.