Butez Bolt from the Blue: Como Keeper Reportedly in Zidane's First France Squad

Zinedine Zidane appears to be wasting no time putting his stamp on the France national team, and one of the boldest calls in his first preliminary squad is a name many fans outside Italy may not know: Como goalkeeper Jean Butez. According to Football Italia, which cites reports in both France and Italy, the Belgian-born shot-stopper has been included on Zidane's extended list for his maiden camp in charge of Les Bleus. The call-up caps a remarkable ascent for a player who was plying his trade in the Belgian Pro League just a couple of seasons ago. Butez built his reputation at Royal Antwerp, where he was instrumental in the club's historic domestic double and earned a reputation as one of the most reliable keepers in Belgium. His move to Como raised eyebrows at the time, but the Lariani's ambitious project — spearheaded in recent seasons by head coach Cesc Fàbregas — has proven to be the perfect stage. Since arriving at the Sinigaglia, Butez has consistently ranked among Serie A's top performers between the posts, combining sharp reflexes with an increasingly commanding presence in the box. His shot-stopping numbers have drawn admiring glances from across Europe, and now, it seems, from the French Football Federation itself. For Zidane, the decision to cast the net wider than the usual selection pool sends a clear message as he prepares France for the 2026 World Cup in North America. With competition heating up at every position, the goalkeeping department is no exception — and a preliminary call-up for an in-form outsider like Butez suggests the new boss is willing to reward current form over reputation. Butez's inclusion on the extended list does not guarantee a place in the final squad, and he faces a fight to dislodge established names. But simply entering the conversation represents a milestone for both the player and Como, underlining the club's rapid rise from Serie B to a talent factory capable of producing full international-calibre performers. For Zidane, whose appointment has generated enormous excitement across French football, the coming camp represents the first tangible look at his vision. If the Butez gamble is anything to go by, the Zidane era promises fresh faces, fearless calls, and no shortage of talking points as France charts its course toward the biggest tournament on the planet. Como supporters, meanwhile, will be watching with pride — and quietly hoping their goalkeeper's fairytale has a few more chapters left.