Trai Hume: Sunderland exit fears to grow after Northern Ireland scenes

Trai Hume put in an admirable performance in Northern Ireland's defeat to France on Monday night, as the Sunderland star proved why he's being linked with a big move this summer.

A stellar 2025-26 campaign for Sunderland has reportedly got Hume's name on the lips of numerous top clubs.

Contracted until the summer of 2030 and with European football on the menu in 2026-27, the Black Cats will be confident they can retain his services moving forward.

However, world football giants Real Madrid are the latest team to be linked with a move for Hume, showing just how much he's increased his reputation thanks to his exploits last season.

Hume hasn't had much time to sit and stew on his future since the end of the season though, with international duties taking his focus away from Wearside.

Northern Ireland provided France with their final pre-World Cup friendly on Monday evening, and the Sunderland defender played the full 90 minutes.

How did Trai Hume fare in Northern Ireland vs France?

Leading his Northern Ireland team out in Lille, France were always expected to beat Michael O'Neill's side on home soil.

In what was an electric atmosphere on the night, Les Blues ran out 3-1 winners over the Green and White Army, but they were made to work for it.

France made the breakthrough on 43 minutes with Michael Olise grabbing the first of his three goals, before adding his second just four minutes after the restart.

However, Patrick Kelly's goal brought Northern Ireland to within one with 25 minutes to play, but Olise would seal his hat-trick in the 75th minute.

Hume played the full game for O'Neill's men, and as per FotMob, made 12 defensive contributions - the most of any player on the pitch.

The 24-year-old also took 72 touches, made seven clearances, five recoveries, five headed clearances, two tackles and one last man tackle respectively.

On top of that, he won three of his five ground duels and his lone aerial duel, whilst also committing zero fouls, playing five passes into the final third and wasn't dispossessed once.

Kylian Mbappe may be in Real Madrid's ear about Hume

There aren't many better strikers in world football than Kylian Mbappe, but based on how Hume kept him quiet on Monday night, nobody told that to the Sunderland man.

Whilst Mbappe may well have had the most touches in the opposition box (17) and taken the most shots on goal (six) of any player on the pitch, none of his efforts were on target.

The same can be said for 2025 Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, who failed to put his only shot on target before being taken off just after the hour mark.

So, with Real Madrid linked to Hume, his performance against France may well have Mbappe running back to his club chiefs to recommend signing Sunderland star.