Six months is a long time, almost an eternity, especially when you have experienced such heights of emotion 5000 kilometers away. This Friday evening, the France team found its audience and its Stade de France. A beautiful and happy communion, the first since the World Cup roller coaster in Qatar.
7:10 p.m. Near the arena of Saint-Denis, Hugo, 7 years old and with blue-white-red cheeks, is eager to celebrate his heroes. Despite capricious weather, he came from Burgundy with his parents. If the two adults do not hide a small preference for Antoine Griezmann in the role of captain, “the choice of merit and experience”, they are there for their son. Tonight is the little one’s Christmas present. So, “it will be all Mbappé”, new leader of the Blues. “He had nightmares for days after this World Cup final, says his mother. It was really sad, so tonight, we hope they will find the taste of victory. »
“They know what they want and they let it be known”
A little further, Bertrand does not care a bit about the score. This 67-year-old former football teacher and educator is not worried about this new group under construction. As long as Deschamps is there to oversee the transition. “You have to be indulgent and not throw away everything you’ve loved lately. There is everything to succeed for a while.” Character, confidence, and talent. This is how Arthur, not necessarily a fan of Deschamps and his management of the Benzema case, defines this “extraordinary breeding ground” which will grow in the wake of the PSG striker. “Lloris was a bit bland. I think Mbappé will take on this responsibility very well in the long term. With the armband, tonight, it’s either doubled or tripled. He is like the others. They know what they want and they let it be known. »
While waiting for new exploits, perhaps from the summer of 2024 at the Euro in Germany, the 80,000 spectators at the Stade de France also paid tribute to certain idols of French football. A minute of loud applause was observed just before the kick-off in memory of the former president of the FFF Claude Simonet (1994-2005) and the iconic striker of the Just Fontaine selection. These two monuments died at the beginning of March, at the age of 92 and 89 respectively.
Before that, the freshly retired Lloris, Mandanda, Matuidi and Varane gave each other a grand ovation and clapping. It was 8:25 p.m., and after crossing the Blues on the way to the locker room, the time for big hugs, they each had the right to a video summarizing their greatest exploits in Blue and to a masterful entry in the center of the lawn . Special mention for Hugo Lloris. The record holder of selections in the France team (145) came forward with his children. And especially without his gloves. It will take some getting used to. The frameworks change but the passion remains, for the time being, intact.