Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin is determined to break into the France squad in 2023.

Olivier Giroud led the line in Qatar but is 36, while it would seem 35-year-old Karim Benzema isn't going to be reintegrated into the set-up.

That may open the door for Saint-Maximin, who has represented France up to under-21 level but not for the seniors - and he is already close to star forward Mbappe, as well as Ousmane Dembele and Marcus Thuram.

"Playing for France would mean everything for me," he told The Sun.

"I hope that one day I have the chance to show my qualities for Les Bleus. Of course, it will not be easy. Everyone saw the character of the players in the World Cup final and it is a team full of talent.

"But if I keep working hard and playing well for Newcastle, I hope to get noticed.

"It is not as if I am at a small club. We are third in the best league in the world so that can only help."

He added: "I really don't know how close I am to selection. There was talk of a call-up earlier this season but I came back from injury just two weeks before the World Cup started, which was not good enough to break into the squad.

"I do believe I am good enough to play with friends in the national team."