Éli Junior Kroupi stated that he wants to represent the French national team internationally rather than Côte d’Ivoire or Portugal, in remarks broadcast this weekend by DAZN and reported on Sunday, October 25.
The Bournemouth player explained that he has always played in the French youth national teams, having been born and started playing football in France. He presented the French national team as his goal for the next stage of his international career.
The 20-year-old forward can also represent Ivory Coast through his father and Portugal through his mother. Roberto Martinez, former Portuguese coach, had indicated that the Portuguese federation had approached him before the World Cup, but that the player wished to continue with France.
The French Football Federation records five matches and three goals by Kroupi with the Espoirs. His career also includes selections for the under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19, and under-20 teams.
Born on June 23, 2006, in Lorient, Éli Junior Kroupi has been playing for Bournemouth since July 2025 after being trained at FC Lorient. The FFF awarded him the UNFP trophy for the best Ligue 2 player in 2025.
