The gilets jaunes protests may have dominated headlines in France, but think back a little under six months ago and it was a time of great joy in la Republique as Didier Deschamps’ national team brought home their second World Cup after their incredible success in Russia.
Footage has now emerged of the coach - one of only three people to win the World Cup as both player and manager, alongside Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer - revelling in the post-final triumph, in which France saw off Croatia 4-2 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
In the video (available to watch below), Deschamps, flanked by players such as Paul Pogba, Ousmane Dembele, and Pamela Anderson’s on/off beau Adil Rami, and standing proudly over the trophy, delivered some stirring words for his bunch of French freres in the aftermath;
“Two important things to take away lads
First of all, hats off to everyone!
You are on top of the world for the next four years
For each and every one of you in the days, the weeks, the months and the years ahead you will, for sure, all take different pathways.
But you’ll be bonded for life by this trophy, lads
And the second thing which concerns the players and all the staff is that from tonight, you won’t be the same lads
Do you know why?
WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!”
During the course of the tournament, France saw off Australia, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium on route to the final. Lifting the trophy in Russia marks France’s second success in the competition, coming exactly two decades after their last when they won on home turf.
You can watch the footage - courtesy of Equipe De France - of Deschamps celebrate with his squad and rouse in riveting fashion in jubilant scenes, below.
