Liverpool's young defender Jeremy Jacquet has been stealing the show while on international duty
Jeremy Jacquet of France singing the national anthem prior to the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A1 MD2 match between Belgium and France at Stade Roi Baudouin on September 28, 2026 in Brussels, Belgium.
Jeremy Jacquet shone in just his second cap for France(Image: Getty )
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Playing the full 90 minutes of a high-profile international fixture against Italy and thriving in only your second cap is the mark of a huge talent. Jeremy Jacquet did so on Friday night during France’s 1-1 Nations League draw at Stade de France, which was made even more impressive by the fact he outshone his far more experienced centre-back partner - Dayot Upamecano - on the night.
A moment of magic by Michael Olise gave France the lead in the 55th minute by way of a sumptuous free-kick. But Italy equalised with Alessandro Bastoni scoring 13 minutes later, and Upamecano’s late sending off denied Zinedine Zidane’s third win in as many games as manager.
Zidane had picked a medley of the teams from his first two games at the helm. Jacquet kept his place after enjoying an impressive clean sheet on his international debut against Belgium on Monday.
And the Liverpool youngster, who arrived from Stade Rennais in the summer for big money, was even more impressive on this occasion, with both the French and Italian media heaping praise on the 21-year-old defender.
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L’Equipe, who are known for their brutal ratings, gave him a very solid 7/10. That made Jacquet their joint highest-rated French player alongside goal-scorer Olise.
Get French Football News also awarded him a 7/10 and praised his maturity. They wrote that "Les Bleus could always rely on Jacquet to snuff out the danger," before adding: "The Liverpool centre-back looks very much at ease in France's back-line.
"He's as much able to clear the danger as he is to pick up a line-breaking pass with an incisive move. He was so close to what would have been a stunning goal line clearance to prevent Bastoni from restoring parity."
Meanwhile, Eurosport France deemed his "monstrous" performance worthy of a 7.5/10, lauding his leadership skills, ball-playing ability and front foot defending. The publication wrote: "It's extremely rare to see a central defender at this level after just two caps. Jacquet played like a true leader, relentlessly pressing the Italians right up to their own penalty area.
France's defender #22 Jeremy Jacquet (L) vies with Italy's forward #07 Pio Esposito during the UEFA Nations League, league A day 3: Group 1, football match between France and Italy at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, near Paris, on October 2, 2026.
Jacquet impressed on and off the ball(Image: Getty )
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"Hyper-aggressive, the former Rennes player prevented the Azzurri from imposing their rhythm and allowed Les Bleus to win back possession in crucial areas. His pinpoint pass to Ousmane Dembele (27th minute) demonstrated his immense confidence, and his ball distribution was often a model of conviction."
Meanwhile, Maxifoot dished out a 7.5/10 rating. The outlet said: "What a performance! Already excellent against Belgium, the centre-back displayed impressive composure once again.
"Very aggressive in his clearances, often extremely high up the pitch to support the French press, the former Rennes player was also impeccable when defending his penalty area. A crucial intervention to deflect Davide Frattesi's very dangerous shot just before half-time. Powerful, clean, and authoritative, the Liverpool player continues to impress."
Even Italian publication Corriere dello Sport issued the same sentiment with a 7/10 rating, saying the Reds defender had a "gigantic match."