Message to Putin?
Macron flexes his muscles while boxing
March 21, 2024, 8:27 a.m
Listen to article
This audio version was artificially generated. More info | Send feedback
“Don’t shy away from Putin,” is Macron’s message to Europe’s leadership. On the same day, pictures follow on Instagram that emphasize the words. France’s president appears combative – on the punching bag.
Emmanuel Macron shows off his sporty side: The French President let off steam on the punching bag and took impressive snapshots. The photos come from his house and court photographer Soazig de la Moissonnière, who posted the pictures on Instagram. However, some users of the platform express the suspicion that it could be an edited photo, others suspect that it is a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Atmospheric in black and white, in one of the photos, Macron hits the sandbag with gritted teeth and bulging biceps. Comparisons with Rocky Balboa are being made online. The timing of the publication of the photos coincides with a political message from Macron. On March 19, the 46-year-old called on Europe’s leadership not to shy away from Putin. The French “Rocky” flexes his muscles against Putin?
At least that’s how Éric Anceau, history professor at the University of Lorraine, sees it. He wrote on In the past, Putin himself had liked to publicly display his masculinity.
His photos of shirtless horseback riding on a summer vacation in Siberia or his caught pike on fishing trips are famous. Putin has also been photographed in a boxing pose. In recent years, he has enjoyed being sporty – such as when training together with the Russian judo selection in 2019. Without exception, Putin brought every one of his opponents to the mat – and allegedly even slightly injured his finger in the process.