First to open the ball on Wednesday, Kingsley Coman and Dayot Upamecano kicked into touch, the winger suggesting a common position. Then Ousmane Dembélé, Benjamin Pavard and Olivier Giroud, without wishing to express their personal convictions, transmitted the message of the need to vote during the legislative elections of June 30 and July 7.
Striker Marcus Thuram, who should start for the first time in a high-stakes final phase match on Monday against Austria (9 p.m.), has decided to position himself clearly. “What is happening is sad and very serious,” he responded calmly and clearly. I learned the results after the match against Canada (June 9, European election day). We were all shocked in the locker room. This is the sad reality of our society, there are shows, debates on television that do everything to help this party pass. As Ousmane (Dembélé) said, we must tell everyone to vote. It is our duty as citizens to fight every day so that this does not happen again and that the National Rally does not take place.”
Aged 26, the Inter Milan player, among the most comfortable in front of microphones, is known for his societal commitments and his fight against racism, in the footsteps of his father Lilian, World champion in 1998 . “My father doesn’t encourage me to do anything, apart from being well behaved,” points out Marcus Thuram. Growing up, having conversations with him, I feel responsible for having these kinds of messages. It’s my personality, my upbringing. I am followed by a lot of people on social networks and I have to pass on certain messages. »
“The problem is global”
The Blues have to date not planned to communicate a common position between now and the elections. “Everyone is free to express themselves or not. Some may think it and not say it, some are more modest” points out the former Guingamp player, having however “no doubt that everyone shares my vision in the group. » He notably mentioned the case of Italy, where he operates and where the far right has been in power since October 2022.
“The problem of racism is global, it is also there. We saw Mike (Maignan, victim of racist insults in January) in the stadiums. It’s not a problem for me, because I’m a football player and people recognize me. But it’s the problem of thousands of black people in Italy so it becomes my problem. »
