France celebrated second place in Paris amid Benzema’s resignation and uncertainty over Deschamps’ future

The French National he arrived on his home soil on Monday following a runners-up finish after losing the World Cup final in Qatar to Argentina. The team led by Didier Deschamps He arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport and immediately checked into the Hotel Crillon, one of the oldest and most luxurious in Paris. From the balconies, the players waved and were cheered by the thousands of fans who surrounded the Plaza de la Concorde.

After several contradictory messages on Monday morning, following the alleged statements of Noël le Graetpresident of the French Football Federation, who said the delegation “wasn’t in the mood” to meet their fans again, in the end there were greetings and celebrations, despite losing the final on penalties to Lionel Messi’s team.

Screams, flags and the anthem of the Marseillaise were the postcards of a freezing night in the Parisian capital, which focused attention on Kylian Mbappé, top scorer of the World Cup with eight shouts, who with difficulty was able to erase the expression of sadness from the his face.

The ceremonial act of the French national team was brief, it only lasted 30 minutesand had tight police scrutiny after rioting broke out after the final on Sunday night, leaving hundreds detained.

Is that the victory of the Argentine national team in the Qatar 2022 World Cup final hit the most sensitive fibers in all of France. Fans, players and the coaching staff themselves have suffered like never before from losing the World Cup at the hands of Lionel Messi and company. To such an extent that Deschamps’ continuity is among the question marks.

“It is a decision that concerns a professional future, a future in general. It’s not something you do lightly, in a stadium, after a final… It’s a decision that needs to be taken calmly”, expressed Jean-Pierre Bernesagent and friend of the DT world champion in Russia 2018.

And he remarked that Deschamps will not take a sudden decision and that, after having digested the defeat against the Albiceleste, he will meet the president of the French federation.

“It is an important decision. It’s a very personal decision. Didier will return to France, take a few days off, to reflect. At the beginning of January, as announced, he will see President Le Graët to inform him of his decision. I think everything takes time,” sources close to the coach assured.

The coach himself was consulted after the final about his stay at Les Bleus and declared: “I won’t answer today, I’m sad for my players and my staff. I have an appointment with the president at the beginning of the year and we’ll see.”

Benzema’s resignation

The one who has already defined his future is Karim Benzema. The striker announced on Monday the end of his career in the French national team, in a message posted on his social networks.

“I put in the effort and made the mistakes necessary to be where I am today and I’m proud of that. I wrote my story and ours ends”wrote the Ballon d’Or 2022, who turned 35 this Monday, accompanying his message with a photo that portrays him in the Les Bleus shirt.

Benzema had been withdrawn from the World Cup due to injury on the eve of the start of the competition, while he was already in Qatar, due to a thigh problem suffered in training three days before France’s opener against Australia.

His abstinence period had been estimated at three weeks, but they still kept him on the list. In fact, it was assumed that he, already healed, would return for the final. But Deschamps said no. Could Benzema have helped France win their third World Cup? It’s late. She is already on her way to Argentina.