Eli Junior Kroupi, the standout striker currently on loan at FC Lorient, has confirmed his commitment to representing France at the international level, putting to rest speculation over a potential switch to Ivory Coast, the country of his father’s birth.
Fresh from being named Ligue 2’s Player of the Season at the 2025 UNFP Trophies, the 19-year-old forward has made his stance unequivocally clear.
Despite having deep family roots in Ivory Coast, as well as Portuguese heritage through his mother, Kroupi expressed strong pride in wearing the French shirt.
“I have Ivorian origins, and Portuguese on my mother’s side. But for now, I’m wearing the colours of the French team and I’m very proud,” he said, speaking plainly when questioned about his international allegiance. His statement signals what appears to be a definitive decision in favour of France.
Kroupi, who has excelled this season with 22 goals in 30 appearances, is currently the top scorer in France’s second division.
His remarkable form played a vital role in Lorient’s campaign, earning him individual honours and drawing the attention of football fans and pundits across Europe.
The teenager’s rise has been closely followed due in part to his lineage—his father, Eli Kroupi, was a former Ivorian international.
That connection had led many to wonder whether the younger Kroupi might one day don the orange shirt of the Elephants.
However, his comments now suggest that his international future lies solely with Les Bleus.
Kroupi’s association with French football began early. He has progressed steadily through the national youth ranks, representing France at U16, U17, U18, U19, and U20 levels. Each step has reinforced his integration into the French system, and his latest statement is a reaffirmation of that trajectory.
Currently contracted to Premier League side Bournemouth, Kroupi was loaned to Lorient to gain regular first-team experience—and he has made the most of the opportunity.
His performances have not only boosted his profile but also strengthened his ties to the country that has nurtured his footballing career from the outset.
The clarity in Kroupi’s words contrasts with the often complex decisions faced by dual-nationality players.
For many with multicultural backgrounds, the question of national representation is both personal and political. In Kroupi’s case, however, the decision appears to have been made with conviction and pride.
His choice will come as a disappointment to fans in Ivory Coast, who had hoped the young talent might follow in his father’s footsteps.
However, for France, Kroupi’s commitment represents another significant addition to a growing generation of gifted players with multicultural heritage who continue to enrich the national squad.
As Kroupi continues to develop, attention will now turn to when he might make the leap to France’s senior side. If his current trajectory continues, a senior call-up could be a matter of when—not if.
Until then, Eli Junior Kroupi remains focused on his club responsibilities and further cementing his place as one of France’s brightest young talents.
