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PSG's Kimpembe relishes in France call-up for World Cup qualifying

Presnel Kimpembe has gone from playing in Paris Saint-Germain's reserve team to earning a debut call-up to the France national side.

It has been a big week for one of France's rising stars as Presnel Kimpembe has gone from playing in Paris Saint-Germain's reserve team to earning a debut call-up to the national side.

Kimpembe, who is regarded as one of the most promising young talents in France, has made just 13 top flight appearances and the defender played in PSG's B team at the weekend but was called up on Monday as a replacement for the injured Eliaquim Mangala.

"It's a great joy, it's the country, everyone behind us," the 21-year-old said on Tuesday. "It shocked me ... I've been following the France team since I was really young and to be there today is an enormous happiness. I still don't realize it now really but I will do when I see everyone and start training."

France, which was runner up at Euro 2016, drew its Group A opener away to Belarus. It hosts Bulgaria before an away match against the Netherlands.