“Choosing Spain was something natural”, Le Normand responds to criticism of his dual nationality

The subject of criticism in Spain around his dual Franco-Spanish nationality, Robin Le Normand intelligently spoke of this climate of distrust surrounding his presence within La Roja, with which the defender is currently competing in Euro 2024.

Born in France, in the Côtes d’Armor, Robin Le Normand opted for the Spanish selection rather than the French team. Holder in two of the three group matches of the Euro de la Roja, including one alongside Aymeric Laporte (also Franco-Spanish), the central defender spoke this Thursday, for Mundo Deportivo, of the climate of mistrust which sometimes surrounds his presence in the team.

In a message, published on you’re kidding me.” A message with racist content on which the 27-year-old player did not want to outbid, asking for “respect” while playing the appeasement card.

“I’m not going to convince everyone, but the important thing is what I feel when I go to sleep and when I wake up to put on the Spain shirt,” he says. “I always have a terrible desire to go out on the pitch to represent this shirt in the best way and show what I can do. Then, you have to respect the people who don’t agree. I’m very calm and I don’t have any problems with anyone.”

The Norman confirms having spoken with Deschamps, but his decision was already made

The player trained at Stade Brestois believes he had more room to reveal himself in Spain than in France, in particular thanks to the confidence of Real Sociedad, where he has played since 2018 – he could however join Atlético de Madrid this summer. “I grew up in France, but I also spent almost ten years in Spain. A decade where I grew as a man, as a footballer. I made a place for myself in a city, a club, where I can only have a thousand words of gratitude (…) If on top of all that, the coach calls you… It was very simple and my decision was obvious.

However, he cannot deny that Didier Deschamps had also called him before he opted for the red jersey: “Yes, we had a conversation, but I had several calls with people from the Spanish Federation, the coach, I had spoken with my family and those around me and I had their full confidence. For me, it was something very natural,” he admitted.