There’s a reason why France’s reunions are the most anticipated in international football, with players’ fashion shows often going viral.
The 2018 World Cup winners are dropped off at their Clairefontaine base by a taxi and then make a short walk to the chalet in front of the national media photographers.
The brief seconds in front of the camera used to just be a way to get a glimpse of new arrivals, but they’ve since become iconic, with players keen on fashion like Jules Kounde making the most of the opportunity to show off.
The last international break in October saw Ibrahima Konate take the headlines with a green outfit zipped up over his face, but not all of them were positive.
Former France internatinal Jérôme Rothen called it a circus and said coach Didier Deschamps shouldn’t allow it.
Aurélien Tchouaméni brought the incident and its reaction up on his podcast, asking if some of the players were overdoing it.
Teammate Ousmane Dembele responded: “Not me! Did you see how it happened at the last selection? Someone came wearing a mask. That’s your fault!” he said, pointing at Kounde.
The Barcelona defender then gave his thoughts, saying: “I know that now people are waiting impatiently to see how I’m going to arrive. They’re waiting to see what style, if I’m going to be eccentric or not.
“I think there are ways of doing things. Often, very often in the media, it is done in a disrespectful way.
“I think everyone comes as they feel. It is just a lack of open-mindedness. From time to time it is good to respond to make your point of view heard. Then you agree or you do not agree.”
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