Former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has made a shock return to international football.

France coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday, May 16 announced the 25 players that will make up the French squad at the Euro 2024, with Kante one of them.

Kante, who was a key member of the team that won the 2018 World Cup in Russia, left Chelsea last summer to join Saudi club Al Ittihad. This was after he struggled with injury during his last years at the English club.

He has not represented France since June 2022, with Deschamps justifying recalling the 33-year-old to the squad.

“He played a full season, albeit not in a European league, as he is in Saudi Arabia,” said Deschamps on French TV channel TF1. “He’s back to full fitness. With his experience, I’m convinced that the French team will be stronger with N’Golo Kante.”

France’s squad for EURO 2024 in full:

Goalkeepers –

Areola, Maignan, Samba

Defenders –

Kounde, Clauss, Pavard, Konaté, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez, Mendy

Midfielders –

Camavinga, Fofana, Rabiot, Zaire-Emery, Tchouameni, Griezmann, Kante

Attackers –

Barcola, Dembele, Coman, Giroud, Kolo Muani, Mbappe, Thuram