Even in her dreams, she couldn’t imagine it. And yet, the reality is there. Two years after her last selection for the France team, Eugénie Le Sommer had a magnificent 176th cap against Colombia (5-2) this Friday evening. New vice-captain of Les Bleues, appointed to this “position” by Hervé Renard, the OL striker took part in the celebration with a double on the lawn of the Gabriel-Montpied stadium in Clermont-Ferrand, in front of 11,000 people who had not forgotten to chant his name when the teams were announced.
“I was moved, underlines the top scorer in the history of the France team (88 units). It was a lot for me. But it’s a good time, a beautiful evening. I feel a lot of happiness after two difficult years. But on the first goal, I only think of the fact that he relieves me a little. But it’s not revenge.” A bit though. Especially when his last goal with the blue jersey even dated back to October 2020 and a quadruple against Macedonia.
“I’m very happy for her,” rejoices captain Wendie Renard. After long months of absence, she returned with this double. It’s fun. For a striker, it is always important to score. It’s cool “. “I’m really happy for her, continues Delphine Cascarino, teammate at OL and decisive passer this evening. His return was expected. She is the top scorer of all time in the France team. She brings us her experience. She is a very great player. I am proud to be part of his team”.
And we know one who is proud of his choices. Hervé Renard, appointed nine days ago at the head of this team: “When you score 88 goals in the France team, it is necessarily that you have some qualities. She knows why she came back. She had the good idea to score twice before going out. Congratulations to her. It’s never easy psychologically. You can put too much pressure on yourself by wanting to do too well. She was just as she knows how to be. It’s the best comeback she can make.”
A “comeback” that the Lyonnaise owes to the 54-year-old technician. After her goals, she immediately thanked him as she approached the sidelines, earning a hug and a kiss on the head. “I owe him my presence here, recalls Le Sommer. It is he who brings me back. I had to throw the ball back to him. It was a small gesture to say thank you for the trust. I was also happy to win for him. I didn’t expect all this at all. If I had been told ten days ago that I would find myself here, on this list, being vice-captain and scoring twice… It’s nice to be here in these conditions”. And for a long time.