2023-06-29 22:11:00
Lilian Thuram and that’s about it. Until recent years, the right side of the 1998 world champions embodied, alone, the conscience of French football. “Footballers are made to play football,” reacted Philippe De Villiers when Thuram decided to invite undocumented immigrants from the former Cachan squat to a France-Italy qualifier for Euro 2008. say that the slogan of the former deputy was applied to the letter by very cautious players, anxious to protect their image and, therefore, their career.
In 2017, before the second round between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, many champions including Kevin Mayer and Yohan Diniz called “to vote for the only candidate who respects the republican tradition of our country: Emmanuel Macron .” Only one active footballer signs the call: Blaise Matuidi. In an interview given to So Foot in 2011, sociologist Stéphane Beaud noted: “Footballers combine, in the eyes of opinion makers, economic wealth and (apparent) cultural poverty.” A big gap that raised the question of their credibility and their legitimacy each time they spoke.
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Lilian Thuram (2013)
Credit: Getty Images
A courageous generation no longer afraid to take risks
But since 2020, things have changed. French footballers have become politicized and no longer hesitate to take up social issues that tense up and sometimes divide the country. That year, the filmed beating of a music producer caused the stars of the Blues to react: Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann and Jules Koundé, among others, shared their indignation. More recently, many Blues have supported Vinicius, victim of racist songs in Spain, and the tragic death of Nahel, killed by a policeman on Tuesday, provoked the epidermal reactions, among others, of Mbappé, Koundé, Tchouaméni, Pogba, Kimpembe or even Maignan. “A dramatic situation”, “it is always for the same people that being in the wrong leads to death”, “no one deserves to die at 17, justice be done”, “I hurt my France. An unacceptable situation,” reads their Twitter feeds. An unprecedented momentum in the history of French football.
In the France team, the new generation is no longer afraid to make public commitments against discrimination. How to explain it? Firstly because these young boys have grown up with social networks where speaking out and the link are more direct. They have a forum in their name that they feed regularly. The Mbappé generation grew up with other codes. She has unwavering confidence in herself. On the ground, she is not afraid to display often gargantuan ambitions. Outside, it also assumes strong positions.
“We are players who have confidence in ourselves. We do not ask unnecessary questions, testified Marcus Thuram last March. We are a reckless generation who are not afraid of much.” And if his words concern the field, they also stick to the extra-sports. “This generation is no longer afraid to take risks, they assume them completely because it comes from the guts. These players no longer parade, analyzes Frank Hocquemiller, co-founder of the image agency VIP Consulting who worked with Raphaël Varane and today advises Lucas Hernandez or Corentin Tolisso. When they say nothing, people say that footballers are flat or out of society. When they have a clear opinion, they also get hit. So as much as they s express themselves on the subjects that are close to their hearts. But there is no room for error. Their reaction is immediately political. Half of France is going to fall on them. We must master the subject. But they no longer have scared of it.”
The Blues engage in areas where they know the issues: racism, violence in the suburbs. “You know where they come from. They have a certain perspective and know a lot more than you and me, so I find it normal that they give their opinion and that they can defend what can be defended”, reacted Hervé Renard, girls coach on RTL. But beyond these sensitive subjects, they are interested in all forms of discrimination. Behind their highly publicized captain, some have the fight pegged to the body and in particular Jules Koundé. In March 2022, for the needs of a clip to fight against homophobia aimed at young people, a subject that mobilizes less in football, he volunteered to meet with heads of associations in Clairefontaine.
Koundé is a player who we feel is different from the others, very involved in these fights
“I was amazed by his interest in the fight against all forms of discrimination, testifies Bertrand Lambert, president of the Panam Boyz, a club open to diversity. He understood our fight, he who sometimes suffered from racism in Seville. He was asked, very thoughtful on these questions and really used the appropriate vocabulary. He is a player who we feel is different from the others, very involved in these fights. And it doesn’t matter if the brands they represent, if the sponsors they promote don’t always see their position in a good light.
“They don’t care, but their desire to do something outweighs the risk, Frank Hocquemiller testifies again. There are commercial partnerships behind these players who have become SMEs. Companies are not going to play with fire, they are listed on the stock exchange. If tomorrow an athlete is too divisive, he takes a risk. The brand does not want a divisive player. Football has been able to attract luxury brands, this was not the case 10 years ago years. And in luxury, it’s square. We don’t like what goes beyond.” Dressed in Louis Vuitton for the brand’s parade last week, Koundé was photographed from every angle.
Jules Koundé during Fashion Week 2023
Credit: Getty Images
The American model
A partnership that did not prevent him from expressing his deep emotion after the death of Nahel. “It’s courageous, continues Hocquemiller. He has convictions, it’s part of his DNA.” The fight players carry is stronger, more visceral than the risks they take. Fed by American sports in general, and by the NBA in particular, these new Blues have models across the Atlantic. Kylian Mbappé was inspired by LeBron James by making it a point to use his gigantic influence. No offense to Philippe De Villiers, now footballers are not made only to play football. And this is probably only the beginning.
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