2024-07-23 16:58:55
The French men’s team of Thierry Henry, which does not have any stars, is not excited for the Olympic tournament, which begins against the United States this Thursday in Marseille.
The beginning of the adventure. Le Olympic Blues hope for a bright future at the Vélodrome – renamed Marseille’s stadium – with the United States hosting this Wednesday evening (9 pm, France 2). If the road is long and winding before reaching the Parc des Princes and the possible end on August 9, the French men’s team begins its journey not without enthusiasm after a Thierry Henry who has progressed as the only world star of this football match. Endless soap opera results on the availability or not of certain people this summer.
« We will have the best team possible », The French Football Federation, the Ministry of Sports and the President of the Republic have been arguing for months, through the voice of Philippe Diallo, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra and Emmanuel Macron. Vain words, without a future and also the conditions of communication, after the rejection of the parties to release a plethora of elements.
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Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud – among others – have used it, before being rejected by their employer. Ditto for young elements like Warren Zaire-Emery, Bradley Barcola or Leny Yoro, all under 23 and also blocked. Not all French teams play equally, sometimes even inappropriately. In today’s football, the employer pays. Determined. Olympics or not. Ignoring the Olympic spirit.
The list of those who are not available is endless and confirms the status of certain cases. The men’s football tournament, which does not appear on the Fifa calendar and does not require clubs to release their players, will take place in relative anonymity. Far from the declared joy of seeing Mbappé or Messi defending the colors of their country. A real flop which raises questions about the necessity of men’s discipline which is not given the best possible place during these Olympic Games, unlike all other sports.
A difficult task
Without a star but not without talent, Thierry Henry’s Blues will have to shine and win to get people talking about them. It starts this Wednesday against the United States then Saturday against Guinea in Nice and next Wednesday against New Zealand, again in Marseille. ” It’s not the Euro or the World Cup, well, it’s not the Champions League either, but even if football is not the main sport in the Olympics, you have to represent the French team and it’s important »says Thierry Henry, who expected a different situation when he agreed to oversee the selection.
Despite everything, the weakness and happiness is real in the French ranks, who started their preparation a month ago, with the ultimate decision of matching the heroes of 1984, the gold medalists in Los Angeles. It is up to Lacazette (Lyon), Olise (Bayern Munich), Doué (Rennes) or Cherki (Lyon) to follow in the footsteps of Xuereb, Lacombe, Touré or Ayache, the only winners in the football competition with France. « The reason is clear, it is a gold medalAlexandre Lacazette plants, the director of this selection and released by Olympique Lyonnais, who played the game by leaving the best player and their winner. We are very excited and can’t wait to start the competition. »
The same feeling from Rayan Cherki, his partner in the team and selection, captured by the magic of the Games. ” It is a great world event, which occurs once in every century years in Parissavors the 20-year-old Lyonnais. We expect something big, broadcasting in every country in the world. We can’t wait to be there, to explore the competition and to have fun. We will represent France and its people in the best possible way. Let people have as much for as possible. They are not as patient as we are. » Thursday evening, 60,000 spectators are expected in Marseille, a sign of real enthusiasm, even if some still hope to see Mbappé or Griezmann when they buy tickets.
The task promises to be arduous. Abundant. Incentive. Since 1992 and the Barcelona Olympics with Spain’s renaissance, no European country has put its name on the list. Since then, the South American selections (two title holders Brazil, two Argentina winners in 2004 and 2008) have dominated the debates. ” We will try to change thatpromises Thierry Henry, a great sports fan who has been fed by the exploits of the Games since childhood and is particularly close to Marie-José Perec and Teddy Riner. It is not easy to win at home, but when we enter the Vélodrome, people will remind us what we have to do.. »
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