Every international break is an opportunity for several talents who have played in the Maurice Revello Tournament to have their baptism of fire in the national team. The last few days have been no exception. Here's the lowdown.
Eddie Nketiah (England) : called up to the Three Lions squad last September but without making an appearance, the Arsenal striker benefited from the friendly match against Australia (1-0) last Friday to finally get his baptism of fire with England. Five years after winning the Maurice Revello Tournament, Nketiah becomes an England international!
Faisal Alghamdi (Saudi Arabia) : the 22-year-old midfielder made an eye-catching impact at the Maurice Revello Tournament 2023 (where he was voted man of the match against France), and in the last few days has been given his first taste of senior international football by Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini in a friendly against Nigeria (2-2).
Mathieu Choinière (Canada) : An undisputed starter in Major League Soccer with Montreal, the 24-year-old midfielder was rewarded for his consistency by earning his first cap for Canada's senior national team in a friendly against Japan (1-4).
Liam Scales (Ireland) : now a key player at Celtic Glasgow, the solid 25-year-old defender played his first game for Ireland this month against Greece (0-2) in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Dimitry Bertaud (DR Congo) : after representing France at youth level, notably at the 2017 and 2018 Maurice Revello Tournaments, the Montpellier goalkeeper has switched his allegiance to Congo DR. The move came into effect on Tuesday during the friendly match against Angola (0-0), in which Bertaud started.
Samkhou Camara (Guinée) : what a fantastic story! After shining with the Mediterranean team at the Maurice Revello Tournament 2023 (he was voted man of the match against Mexico), the 20-year-old defender was immediately handed his first professional contract when he signed for Swiss D1 club Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy. The fairytale continues for Camara, who this month earned his first cap for Guinea's senior national team in a friendly against Guinea-Bissau (1-0).
Steven Moreira and Bruno Varela (Cape Verde) : after playing in the Maurice Revello Tournament with France and Portugal respectively, the 29-year-old defender and 28-year-old goalkeeper have chosen to represent Cape Verde at senior level. Both players made their debut in a friendly against Algeria (1-5).
Raimane Daou and Ben-Chayeel Hamada (Comoros) : a year after taking part in the 2022 Maurice Revello Tournament, the two young Comorians earned their first cap with the senior national team in a friendly against Cape Verde (2-1) on Tuesday. It's worth noting that the match was co-organised by the staff of the Maurice Revello Tournament.
Hokky Caraka and Arkhan Fikri (Indonesia) : Indonesia began their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup this month. Their opening round win over Brunei (6-0, 6-0) was a mere formality, and provided the opportunity for two players spotted at the Maurice Revello Tournament 2022, Hokky Caraka and Arkhan Fikri (both 18), to make their senior international debut.