World Cup 2022: Fofana, a breath of fresh air in the Blues

Therefore, turning on the “air conditioner” at full capacity is not the only means of combating Doha’s suffocating heat. This Saturday, the breath of fresh air that swept through the Jassim bin Hamad stadium had nothing to do with the controversial tricks that are used in the four corners of the Emirate. In the press room of the Blues’ training centre, Youssuf Fofana was really responsible for bringing a little lightness to this end of the weekend, the Qatari end, thanks to his relaxed, disarming sincerity and deadpan humor.

Following Axel Disasi, equally outspoken but wiser, his partner from AS Monaco surprised and then amused about 180 journalists who came to listen to the secrets of the two “newcomers” of the French team. As a rookie, he initially admitted that he was there “to discover”, elaborating that “at 23 or 30 years old, the first international competition is an important step, no matter what happens.” explain that “as a competitor, [il] walked like the other 25 people in the team, trying to break into the starting lineup. »

Asked about Ousmane Dembele, the Barcelona striker whom he described as “impressive” and a vector of “constant danger in the opposition’s 30m”, Fofana began to make the audience smile, assuring that he was watching his Blues teammate “from afar”. like a spectator. »

“You must wear blue shoes”

But after only two months with the French team and two small qualifiers on the clock, the Paris native was surprised to find himself completely cut off from the thrill of his first steps in the qualifier. “Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to experience some emotions because I immediately switched to competitive mode,” he explained candidly. I didn’t have time to do it in Clairefontaine. And there, the competition will start in three days, not now I will waste time savoring it. You must wear a blue heater. “And explain:“ This comes from my past and the path traveled, since I was 18 years old, it goes very quickly for me. I learned to manage my emotions and move on. »

The sincerity is that, to the surprise of some observers, he refused to see him on the list for the World Cup. “Surprise can be effective for you,” he told reporters with a smile. But since I was in Monaco, I have been working to get the French team hooked. It happened just before this big competition. I proved myself, the coach approved … – he assured in a fit of laughter, as if everything was normal.

It was enough to open the door to a speech whose detachment and humor cleared the air at the end of the day. “I assure you, with the kilos I’ve already lost, I can tell you there’s still a little preparation to do,” he joked, referring to the short time available to the Blues to get ready to enter the race. Again the second degree when fighting the bosses in the middle. His friend Aurélien Chuameni, “who is now playing like an adult”, has moved to Real Madrid. But also the absent ones, Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, who the younger generation will have to replace. “You’re right in asking yourself questions,” he agreed, before continuing the exact opposite. “But when they started in the Blue, they had no more than us. So we are going to do our best to accumulate as much experience as possible so that in 5-6 years, when I am in front of you again, this time you will not be surprised. »

Youssuf Fofana, surprised to have to sum up his first choice when he “could have scored a hat-trick or at least come back”, also took his interlocutor from behind when he asked him if he felt close to the course for start. Chuameni. “Today I am especially close to starting in Monaco,” he replied with a smile. A sense of poignancy that explains how the Monegasque is preparing to deal with the pressure of his first World Cup. “It’s simple, I told others not to read what they write about me,” he laughs. I read, but to pass the time. I admit, I don’t necessarily like everything, but as long as none of you become a coach, it doesn’t bother me! »