After exploding into the eyes of the general public during the 2022-2023 season, the rest was a little more difficult last year for Vicki Becho (21 years old), with less playing time and selections. The Lyonnaise is in the group for this last gathering of the French team. She confides in the direction she wants her career to take, lucid about the efforts she must make to get back to her best level.
Vicki, how would you describe this period with less playing time and a place to win back in the France team?
This is where my career will play out. How am I going to react to this? There are two ways to react: either we give up and sink in, or we raise our heads and keep moving forward. It's never easy, you have to keep your head high, keep going, try. Like coach Laurent (Bonadei) I repeat it often, we must dare. You have to give your best to do great things.
Is there a desire to increase efforts tenfold?
Exactly. I think I even want it more than last season. At the time, I was coming back from the World Cup, and I was still euphoric. This year, everything went down again. I'm like, “Vicki, this is not the time to hang your head.” I have to work even harder if I want to play. We must not make excuses. If I'm not playing, I'm going to work. It's time.
Especially since in Lyon, you have to face increased competition at club level this season.
Of course. When you want to play in the best club in the world, when you want to win trophies, you have to surround yourself with the best. These girls work harder all the time to be more efficient. Everyone gives their best, works as hard as possible in training and off the field. This bodes well for the team.
What has changed between the Vicki Becho of 2022 and the one of today?
I think I'm a little more mature, a little more calm. It's quite strange because people often say to me “Vicki, we can't find the Vicki we had before”, because I was a little crazier perhaps. I'm a little more calm today, we haven't lost the Vicki we had, but I know where my place is and I'm trying to stay a little calm. I'm still here, I have to have confidence in myself. I am at a stage in my career where I am very focused on my personality, what I have to do, on my progress.
You were summoned directly to this gathering (in October, Vicki Becho replaced Naomie Feller, Editor's note). What are your impressions of Laurent Bonadei’s method?
I feel very good. We are on the continuity of Hervé Renard. I agree with his gaming project and his vision of things on a human level. When we want to experience great things, it starts from there, from what happens in a group, from good understanding between each girl. If we want to reach the top, it starts from there.
In the construction of this project, the match against Spain this Tuesday represents a significant transition time?
Of course. In any case, the four friendly matches at the end of 2024 are very important for the coach. His group is taking shape, his game plan, his life plan. We face different styles of play. We know that the coach wants to implement a particular style of play. It's important to face this kind of team to position yourself, to know where to improve.
Comments collected by Anthony Rech
