Renard and Le Sommer out of France Euro 2025 squad
Shock exclusion for France's long-time captain and record cap-holder
France manager Laurent Bonadei has made the bold decision to omit Wendie Renard and Eugenie Le Sommer from his 23-player squad for Euro 2025.
Les Bleues begin their bid for a first major tournament trophy on 5 July, taking on an England side that similarly have longstanding stars missing.
It is a brazen call from Bonadei, with former captain Renard, who had the armband since 2013, and prolific forward Le Sommer having a combined 368 caps for the national team.
Le Sommer is France’s record cap-holder having made 200 appearances for her country and also holds the country’s goal-scoring record. Renard made her debut for the national team back in 2011.
But the decision has been a long time coming, with the 55-year-old coach mulling it over during the recent Uefa Nations League window.
“These are tough choices; they are difficult to make and difficult to announce to the players,” he said last month. “It’s a decision that is hard to hear, hard to understand and almost impossible for them to accept because they’re legendary players for the French team.
“As Einstein said: ‘Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result’ – I want different results for this team, so I have gone with a different selection.”
Both 34-year-old Renard and 36-year-old Le Sommer had been excluded from France’s Uefa Nations League squad last month.
Former West Ham and Aston Villa midfielder Kenza Dali also misses out on making the final 23 for Switzerland.
With France in Group D alongside England (5 July), Wales (9 July), and the Netherlands (13 July), it is a huge call to leave out core members of their leadership group.
Their depth is still impressive, however, boasting the likes of Selma Bacha, Sandy Baltimore, Grace Geyoro, Sakina Karchaoui, Kadidiatou Diani, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
Senior centre-back Griedge Mbock will lead the side out, announced as the new captain in the wake of Renard’s omission.
France at Euro 2025: Full 23-player squad
Goalkeepers: Justine Lerond (Montpellier), Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (Juventus Turin), Constance Picaud (Fleury)
Defenders: Selma Bacha (Lyon), Lou Bogaert (Paris FC), Elisa De Almeida (Paris SG), Maelle Lakrar (Real Madrid), Griedge Mbock (Paris SG), Melween N'Dongala (Paris FC), Thiniba Samoura (Paris SG), Alice Sombath (Lyon)
Midfielders: Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea), Grace Geyoro (Paris SG), Oriane Jean-Francois (Chelsea), Sakina Karchaoui (Paris SG), Amel Majri (Lyon), Sandi Toletti (Real Madrid)
Forwards: Delphine Cascarino (San Diego), Kadidiatou Diani (Lyon), Kelly Gago (Everton), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (Lyon), Melvine Malard (Manchester United), Clara Mateo (Paris FC)