Didier Deschamps crafted a team and a spirit, much like Aimé Jacquet in 1998, that catapulted France to glory
Mes amis, it was a long night. World champions, a second star on the jersey and, naturellement, the celebrations were long and loud and joyful. I found myself in the changing room with the players after the game and the air was thick with laughter and song and then a certain dizziness, too, as the result began to sink in. I embraced my old friend Didier Deschamps, still soaked to the skin from the rain-drenched trophy ceremony. He was in a state of euphoria – he had done it!
By leading Les Bleus to a second triumph, 20 years after being our captain when we won the World Cup in France, Didier became only the third man to have won the competition as both player and manager. He’s in rare company, alongside Mário Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer, but when he was reminded of the fact he just shrugged, smiled and said those two were far better players than he ever was. Typical Didier, that. Deflecting the praise, trying not to take himself too seriously. Humble.
Written by Marcel Desailly
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/17/hamony-humility-respect-france-world-cup-didier-deschamps under the title “Harmony, humility and respect: this World Cup was Deschamps’ triumph | Marcel Desailly”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
