International breaks can sometimes have a tendency to bore football fans, and sometimes the players, who would both much prefer to continue with club football.

Players from multiple clubs all come together for two weeks to play for their country, forced to forget their club rivalries until they return.

However, this international break has seemed to spark tension in the France camp, as they suffered their first defeat since Zinedine Zidane took charge.

France were beaten by Italy 3-1, and cameras caught two of the team's attacking players in a heated exchange on the pitch, and within hours, claims of a dressing room bust-up were circulating across French and English media.

Whilst nothing has been confirmed, with both men playing for Premier League rivals, the story was always going to travel quickly.

Cherki and Barcola Bust-Up

The major talking point came in the defeat on Thursday. Moments after Pio Esposito drew Italy level, Liverpool's new summer signing Bradley Barcola and Manchester City's Rayan Cherki were spotted in a heated on-field discussion. Reports suggested a misunderstanding between the pair led to frustration that ultimately cost the team.

The story has since escalated with RMC Sport claiming that Cherki stormed out of the dressing room after a falling out with Barcola, angry at the team's performance.

There hasn't been any official comment on whether the reports of a confrontation are true, as Zidane's side prepare for their final clash of the international break against Turkey on Sunday night.

• July 2026 — Zinedine Zidane appointed France manager on four-year deal, replacing Didier Deschamps.
• August 2026 — Liverpool completed the signing of Bradley Barcola from PSG for up to £123m.
• October 2026 — France beat Belgium 4-1, Zidane ending his first international window unbeaten.
• November 2026 — Zidane named his second France squad, including both Cherki and Barcola.
• November 2026 — Italy beat France 3-1 at the San Siro, Zidane's first defeat, sparking a bust-up between the two.

Cherki and Barcola's Premier League Form

Beyond the spat, the pair's seasons at club level have started rather differently. Cherki has had a year's head start on Barcola, joining City from Lyon for £35 million in the summer of 2025, and is now a regular starter under Enzo Maresca after he replaced Pep Guardiola. The Frenchman has contributed to seven goals this term, five goals and two assists, in nine Premier League games.

Barcola's adjustment to England has been slower. He arrived at Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain in a £123m deal, and has three assists in eight league games, but has scored in the Champions League. The headline fee has inevitably raised expectations, but his output has picked up: all three of those assists have come in his last four Premier League matches.

For Zidane, he faces a selection headache, with the nation holding some of the best attackers in the world. The two will struggle to nail a starting spot in the lineup, and it could well be that one of them takes the other's spot.

Their latest bust-up will now only add fuel to the fire, with the two battling it out in the Premier League for a starting spot in their country's starting eleven.