Dimitri Payet has no concerns over his place in the France squad despite the emergence of Kylian Mbappe and Thomas Lemar as international stars.
The Marseille forward missed the last two World Cup qualifiers through injury but is now back in the fold as Les Bleus seek to seal top spot in Group A and an automatic place in next year’s tournament in Russia.
Lemar and Mbappe impressed in his absence, particularly in a 4-0 rout of the Netherlands, but Payet says he has no fears over his place in Didier Deschamps’ squad.
The 30-year-old accepts that after the World Cup next year he may find himself out of the side as the younger players are brought into the squad, but for now he feels secure in the French plans for Russia.
“My personal objective is to be a part of this team, help qualify for the World Cup and then go there,” he said, as reported by the official Ligue 1 website.
“I know there is competition in the squad and that, obviously, after the World Cup, with the emergence of this generation and these young talents, it will get much tougher for people my age.”
France lead Sweden by one point in Group A ahead of a trip to Bulgaria on Saturday and a home game against Belarus on Tuesday.
France are 1.20 to beat Bulgaria and 6.50 to win the World Cup outright.
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