They came to say “thank you” to the Blues. In the aftermath of the final lost to Argentina at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, thousands of supporters braved the low temperatures and came to cheer the Tricolores, Monday, December 19, place de la Concorde in Paris.
A little earlier in the evening, at 8 p.m., the plane of the French team landed at Paris – Charles-de-Gaulle airport. Around 9.40 p.m., the players and the coach appeared on the balcony of the Hôtel Crillon to greet the large crowd who were waving tricolor flags and resuming Freed from desirethe Gala hit that became the anthem of the Blues throughout the World Cup, and The Marseillaise.
As they got off the plane, the coach of the Blues, Didier Deschamps, had sketched a smile, just like Olivier Giroud, who wore a necklace of blue-white-red flowers around his neck. But Kylian Mbappé, his face closed, had rushed into one of the buses parked on the tarmac before reaching the famous Parisian square.
Gathering and thanks
Place de la Concorde, some supporters had perched on lampposts or traffic lights, to try to see the Blues, if only a hair. The children, luckier, had found an ideal place on the shoulders of their parents.
“I had to be there, to thank our Blues for everything they have done so far”said Sandrine Djellas, 53, made up in red and blue.
“Getting together here with everyone is my way of giving them strength”smiles Cheick Touré, a 16-year-old high school student, keen on football, like his friends who came with him tonight, place de la Concorde.
“To be able to communicate even if there is no final victory. Vibrating together is something unique”said Adrien Rabiot at the microphone of TF1, before entering the palace.
“Frankly, it’s magnificent, it warms the heart, it’s a great pleasure to see that we were able to make so many French people proud and happy, so it’s just happiness”, said Marcus Thuram. “We wanted to see them on our return from Doha because I think it’s the minimum thing to come and see them and thank them for their support. We knew before the match that we were going to be watched by millions of French people, unfortunately we couldn’t win, but what is certain is that they are proud of us, and that’s the most important thing. »
For Olivier Giroud, who probably participated in his last World Cup with the Blues jersey on his shoulders, “these moments, you have to live them as if they were the last, savor, enjoy… It’s just happiness all the same”.
The Blues do not keep the trophy won in 2018 but can be proud of their career. Aware of the enthusiasm aroused, they decided, despite the cruel outcome, to commune with their fans.