Any amateur footballers who have seen their name appear on a national squad list over the years would have done so with their hearts pounding and their mouths agape, amazed and jubilant. That feeling of joy would have instantly dissipated though as they were abruptly awoken from their improbable dream by a blaring alarm clock.

Julien Pontgerard lived through this very scenario this week, except on this occasion there was no alarm clock to be seen. The forward’s name was indeed present on the list of names selected to represent Madagascar during the upcoming international window.

“I didn’t allow myself to believe it till it happened,” the delighted amateur player told FIFA.

“A while back, a friend of mine told me that the national coach of Madagascar [Romuald Rakotondrabe] was running training camps in France and was making his way around the country. My friend put us in touch with each other and he came to see me in Brest one week.”

In the Breton city, home of top-flight Stade Brestois, who booked a historic spot in the UEFA Champions League this past weekend, Pontgerard dons the jersey of lesser-known AS Brestoise, a Regional 2 side (France’s seventh tier).

“I’m originally from the south, from Cap d’Agde, but I’ve lived in Brittany since 2015 – the army brought me here,” said the front man in a melodic southern accent.

While it is definitely not unheard of for amateur footballers to be called up to the national side of certain nations, it is a rarity for someone playing so far down the domestic pyramid to be involved. And although he was aware that the coach was keeping tabs on him, Pontgerard was doubtful that the 58-year-old national boss would actually add him to his squad. “He stopped by to observe me at the turn of the year, but I wasn’t called up for the friendlies in March,” he explained.

However, the forward-thinking tactician, who took the time to talk to Pontgerard in person, watch him train, and attend his team’s top-of-the-table defeat by Plouzane, remained in contact, resulting in the 27-year-old’s hopes rising once again.

“We spoke often on the phone, and he’d already asked me for my kit size and mentioned the documentation I would need,” he recalled. “But my mother used to always say, ‘Until your see your name in black and white, don’t start celebrating as otherwise you’ll be disappointed,’ and she was right.”

This time, however, there was no disappointment. On 17 May, Pontgerard was called up for Madagascar’s forthcoming FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifying matches. “We’ve got two games lined up at Johannesburg’s FMB Stadium in South Africa, against Comoros and Mali,” he said enthusiastically.

A robust centre-forward who can also pick out a pass or perform proficiently out wide, Pontgerard, who works in the restaurant business and “had to take unpaid leave” to live out his dream, is on the verge of entering a whole new world.

Despite spending his entire life in France, Pontgerard has always retained a connection with Madagascar, his father’s homeland. Although he has only visited one time, he has kept abreast of events in the island nation along with the results of its national football team. After a solid 3-0 win over Chad and a tight 1-0 loss to Ghana in their opening two World Cup qualifiers, the Barea will go into the pair of June games full of confidence.

Due to his military background, the long trip to the southern hemisphere should not prove too daunting for him. In addition, the nature of his current profession has assuaged any potential anxiety about meeting his new Madagascar team-mates, such as Auxerre’s Rayan Raveloson. “I’m not too worried about that – working in the restaurant business has removed any apprehension I might have felt,” he said.

In fact, according to Pontgerard, he is “not afraid of anything” that might come his way in the international arena. “I’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain, and if I can pick up a few minutes of playing time, that would be absolutely incredible,” he concluded with a hopeful grin.