Just two years ago, Estéban Lepaul was playing in the third tier of French football. Today, the Rennes striker is on the verge of finishing the 2025–26 season as Ligue 1’s top scorer, delivering one of the most surprising breakout stories in recent European football. However, his remarkable performances have not been enough to earn him the recognition he expected in France.

The forward was one of the notable absentees from the Professional Footballers’ Union of France (UNFP) awards ceremony held this week in Paris. Lepaul was neither nominated for Ligue 1 Player of the Season nor included in the league’s Best XI, a decision that sparked strong criticism from fans and media.

The controversy intensified after Ousmane Dembélé was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year despite playing fewer than 1,000 minutes throughout the season and recording modest numbers of 10 goals and 6 assists.

Meanwhile, Lepaul posted outstanding statistics with Rennes: 20 goals and 5 assists in Ligue 1 after joining from Angers for €13.5 million. His breakthrough has attracted interest from major European clubs, including Benfica, Premier League sides, and even Atlético Madrid, although Rennes reportedly have no intention of selling their key attacking asset.

Lepaul’s rise to the elite has been marked by major personal and sporting challenges. During the pandemic, he came close to quitting football after being released from Lyon’s youth academy. He later signed for Épinal, attempting to rebuild his career in the lower divisions.

On a personal level, he experienced one of the most painful moments of his life when his father, Fabrice Lepaul — a former France U20 international — suffered a serious car accident. Estéban made the heartbreaking decision to withdraw life support, a moment that deeply shaped his personal journey and career path.

Rather than giving up, the striker used that pain as motivation to pursue his dream. In 2024, he impressed at Angers, helping the club secure promotion to Ligue 1. He later moved to Rennes, where he quickly became one of the league’s standout performers and a key figure in the club’s push for European qualification and potentially a Champions League spot.

Despite his impressive statistics and leadership on the pitch, Lepaul still does not have a guaranteed place in France’s squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

In a recent interview with TF1, the striker admitted he would even postpone his wedding if Didier Deschamps includes him in the final 26-man squad for the World Cup. Hugo Ekitiké’s injury has opened a small window of hope for the Rennes forward, who is now dreaming of a late call-up.

Based on performance, goals, and impact in Ligue 1, many believe Estéban Lepaul deserves a place among France’s selections. If it happens, it would mark the ultimate breakthrough in one of the most compelling stories in French football in 2026.

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