The tournament, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, is already generating intense debate over which nation will emerge victorious in football’s biggest competition.

Asamoah, who was born in Mampong, Ghana, and moved to Germany at the age of 12, speaking to Flashscore.com in an interview as the tournament builds up, said, “France is a strong side and also Spain.”

“I wouldn’t put Germany right at the top, although they can always surprise. Then you have Argentina, with great team spirit, especially with Lionel Messi. Brazil are always unpredictable, you never quite know what you’ll get from them. But if you ask me, I think it could come down to France and Spain. Spain, in particular, are very good at building a team.”

Gerald Asamoah made history in 2001 as the first African-born Black player to represent Germany at the senior level.

Over his international career, he earned 43 caps, scored six goals, and featured in two World Cups, finishing runner-up in 2002 and third on home soil in 2006.

With the expanded 48-team format set for its debut, expectations are rising for one of the most unpredictable and competitive editions of the tournament in modern history.

The France forward left the pitch at Anfield on a stretcher, and Liverpool fear he faces a long absence, and that he may miss the start of next season.

On Wednesday, the 23-year-old went for scans, which are expected to confirm the extent of the damage.

Ekitike joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt last July and has been one of their standout performers this season, with 17 goals and six assists in all competitions.

Speaking post-match about Ekitike, head coach Arne Slot said: “I think we could all see that it didn’t look well and didn’t look good. Let’s wait and see what it will be. But we could all see it didn’t look good.

“In the second half, he went home so I haven’t seen him yet. Losing a game is already very hard, especially in the way we lost it, but again – as it seems to be – losing a player is something we’ve had so many times this season.

“It’s especially very hard for him because you never want to be injured, especially not at this moment of time in the season.”

In January, Ekitike became just the second player after Kenny Dalglish to score in five different competitions during their debut campaign with Liverpool.

He made his France debut in September and was set to be part of Didier Deschamps’ squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Liverpool have suffered a number of setbacks this season, with both Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley out for the rest of the season with injuries.

Alisson Becker and Wataru Endo also remain sidelined, while Alexander Isak returned earlier this month from an ankle injury that he sustained in December.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, April 8, by President Macron after bilateral talks with President Mahama during his state visit to France.

The meeting formed part of wider engagements between the two leaders, touching on key sectors such as health, agriculture, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, regional security, and Ghana’s ongoing economic recovery efforts.

Central to the discussions was the proposed Accra–Kumasi Expressway, identified as a major infrastructure project that would require close collaboration between the two countries.

President Macron also highlighted the importance of the Accra Reset Initiative being advanced by President Mahama, indicating that it has attracted considerable attention during recent international engagements.

Earlier, President Mahama was given a full state welcome with military honours at Les Invalides ahead of his official talks with the French leader. The ceremony, marked by precision and tradition, underscored the long-standing diplomatic ties between Ghana and France.

During the visit, President Mahama also met with Gérard Larcher, President of the French Senate, where both sides discussed ways to deepen trade and investment relations, strengthen regional security, and enhance cooperation in combating terrorism.

Support from France in areas such as maternal health and agriculture was also discussed, alongside Ghana’s improving economic outlook.

President Mahama was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, National Security Advisor Prosper Bani, Secretary to the President Callistus Mahama, Presidential Advisor and Special Aide Joyce Bawah Mogtari, and Ghana’s Ambassador to France Mavis Ama Frimpong.

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The incident took place shortly before 07:00 (05:00 GMT) on Tuesday morning between Béthune and Lens in the northern Pas-de-Calais region.

Two people initially deemed to have sustained critical injuries following the crash were “doing well”, while 13 others sustained minor injuries, local authorities said.

The driver of the lorry, which was carrying military equipment at the time, is in police custody, but officials said it was too early to determine the cause. An investigation into potential aggravated manslaughter is underway.

The vehicle belonged to a commercial haulier, and the driver was not a member of the military, officials said.

The train had been travelling from Dunkirk to Paris when the collision occurred. After hitting the lorry, it continued moving for several hundred metres before coming to a stop.

One person staying nearby told regional newspaper La Voix du Nord that they heard the train’s horn blaring for about 8 to 10 seconds before the crash.

Max, who is staying around 500m from the collision site, said the windows of the house rattled from the impact.

CEO of France’s state-owned rail operator, Jean Castex, confirmed the train driver had been a 56-year-old long-term employee of the company at a news conference on Tuesday.

“My first thoughts go to his family, his loved ones and colleagues,” he said.

“I also want to pay tribute to the two train staff members who were on board and who calmly stepped in and helped the passengers.”

Castex, also a former French prime minister, said there had been no indication of a problem with the barriers at the level crossing, adding that a lower-speed train had passed through minutes earlier.

The region’s President Xavier Bertrand described the incident as a “terrible tragedy”.

A passenger on the train told La Voix du Nord that some people had broken their noses due to the impact.

Eliot, who had been commuting to Paris for work, described seeing windows shattering and passengers hitting their heads, adding that he was “lucky” compared to them.

The regional rail network, TER Hauts-de-France, said direct services between Béthune and Lens had been suspended until Thursday, with trains taking an alternative route.

Services on other lines in the area are gradually resuming, but with significant delays.

Rail union SUD-Rail has called for “total transparency” regarding the investigation into the incident.

The collision comes less than a fortnight after a person died in the south-eastern Var region following a collision between a regional train and a truck.

Collisions at level crossings in France are relatively rare – but much more common than in the UK.

There were 89 incidents recorded in France in 2024, causing 20 deaths, compared to six in the UK, official figures show.

More than 100 collisions were recorded each year in France in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The summit brings together world leaders, health ministers and global health experts to deliberate on issues at the intersection of human, animal and environmental health.

Upon arrival, President Mahama was warmly received by members of the Ghanaian community in Lyon. A number of families gathered to welcome him, expressing excitement at the opportunity to meet him on Easter Monday.

Following the summit on Tuesday, the President is scheduled to travel to Paris for a bilateral meeting with President Macron.

The meeting will take place at the Élysée Palace, where both leaders are expected to discuss areas of cooperation between Ghana and France.

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According to a statement issued by the President’s spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, President Mahama will begin his trip in Lyon, where he will participate in the 2026 One Health Summit. He will later travel to Paris for bilateral engagements at the Élysée Palace.

During the summit, President Mahama is expected to co-chair the high-level segment alongside President Macron, joining global leaders, health ministers, and experts to deliberate on critical issues affecting global health systems and sustainable development.

He will also deliver two keynote addresses, including one at a meeting on Global Health Architecture co-chaired by President Macron and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization.

The summit will focus on reforms in global health systems and strategies to address emerging health challenges.

On April 8, President Mahama will hold bilateral talks with President Macron aimed at strengthening Ghana–France relations in key areas such as health, education, trade, investment, and regional security.

He is also scheduled to meet with Gérard Larcher before returning to Accra at the end of the visit.

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Zidane, 53, reportedly reached a verbal agreement with the Federation Francaise de Football to replace Didier Deschamps, who has held the role since 2012.

Zidane, who managed LaLiga powerhouse Real Madrid for two stints (2016-18, 2019-21), has long been expected to eventually become the coach for France.

As a player, the dynamic midfielder won the 1998 Ballon d’Or and was a three-time Fifa World Player of the Year (1998, 2000 and 2003). He helped France win the World Cup in 1998 and finish second in 2006.

He was infamously sent off during the final of the latter World Cup when he headbutted Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the chest.

The 33-year-old brothers are among five defendants on trial near Paris, accused of a double murder and several subsequent attempted killings in 2020, according to reputable French newspaper Le Parisien.

It reports that both are suspected of conspiring to plot the double murder, but that DNA on an assault rifle used in one of the later gun battles could only be from one twin.

A police officer told the court that forensic experts were unable to tell which of the brothers had been conclusively implicated.

“Only their mother can tell them apart,” one investigator is quoted as telling the court in Bobigny, north of the French capital.

There is reportedly a tense atmosphere in the court where the trial is taking place. On Tuesday, both twins were said to have been expelled from the courtroom for refusing to stand up.

Police believe they have taken advantage of their resemblance to cover their tracks. A senior officer quoted by Le Parisien said the pair frequently exchanged clothes, phones and identification documents.

Identical twins develop from a single fertilised egg that splits during pregnancy. Because they originate from the same egg and sperm, they share exactly the same DNA, making forensic identification extremely difficult.

With genetic data unable to distinguish between them, investigators relied on phone records, surveillance footage, wiretaps and efforts to corroborate their whereabouts and movements, according to Le Parisien.

But the crucial question of who fired the recovered weapon remains an open one.

The trial continues, with court due to reach a decision in late February.

One aspect of Mbappe’s legal victory raised eyebrows – PSG were told they must hand over 1.5m euros (£1.3m) in “ethics bonus” payments to the France forward.

For football fans in the UK an ethics bonus might sound a little strange, but in France it is a normal part of a professional athlete’s contract.

The “ethics bonus” has made headlines before, primarily when details of Neymar’s PSG contract were revealed by Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

The Brazil forward’s deal stipulated a monthly ethics payment of 541,680 euros (£475,876). For Mbappe the bonus was worth 500,000 euros (£438,000) a month.

Reports picked up on clauses that required Neymar to show “courtesy, friendliness and availability to supporters”. He was also expected to “greet fans before and after each game”.

The truth behind the ethics bonus is very different.

What is an ‘ethics bonus’?

In English football, clubs are able to fine a player up to two weeks’ wages for a misdemeanour.

French law forbids any deductions from a worker’s salary. Sports teams therefore make a small portion of it an ethics bonus. The base wage and the ethics bonus are in effect a player’s total salary.

In 2021 it was claimed in some reports that Neymar received extra money for clapping the fans, but the details paint a different picture.

Neymar was expected to behave responsibly to sponsors and referees. He had to turn up to training on time and was barred from placing bets. In effect, it was a moral code.

“Clubs are very keen to protect their image,” football finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport.

“They don’t want anybody going nuclear and criticising the club, which means that they call them good behaviour clauses.

“We saw similar with Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong [who had morals clauses with sponsors]. So behavioural clauses are quite common within sport.”

In 2018, Marco Verratti had part of his ethics bonus withheld after being caught drink-driving.

Hatem Ben Arfa also lost the bonus when he failed to attend PSG’s mid-season training camp in Qatar.

In 2023, Lionel Messi was punished by PSG after making an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.

Rugby union club Racing 92 took action against winger Teddy Thomas by “retaining his ethics bonus for February” after an incident following a Six Nations match between France and Scotland.

Neymar’s ethics clause

Source: El Mundo

Star players can earn ‘another 40%’ in bonus payments

Bonuses are now a large part of a player’s contract. They cover loyalty payments, received each year on the anniversary of a player joining a club, through to image rights and goal bonuses.

“The contract which used to be written on the back of a napkin is now an investment by a series of stakeholders,” Maguire said.

“You’ve got the club, you’ve got the agent, you’ve got the management company, you’ve got the player. And quite often the player’s intellectual property rights company as well.

“I’ve seen some of the big six contracts, and there are 25% uplifts for Champions League participation.”

The world’s best players are in such high demand they could earn huge top-ups through their image rights, as high as “60% basic and another 40% on top of that”, Maguire added.

Francis, who suffered a serious injury during last week’s friendly against Japan, underwent surgery after fracturing two bones while trying to block a shot in the second half.

The GFA confirmed that the operation was successful and without complications, and the player immediately began the initial phase of his rehabilitation under careful medical supervision.

“Francis Abu’s condition has improved considerably,” Asante Twum said. “The surgery went as expected, his spirits are high, and the early stages of rehabilitation are progressing well. He is expected to leave the hospital this weekend.”

Francis had been stretchered off during the match, drawing concern from teammates over the injury’s severity. A GFA official will accompany him back to France upon discharge.

The 21-year-old, who joined Toulouse from Cercle Brugge earlier this year, was recalled for Ghana’s November friendlies after missing the World Cup qualifiers in September and October.

The 26-year-old Real Madrid forward is claiming the sum, which includes 55m euros (£46.3m) in unpaid wages, from the European champions as damages in response to a contract dispute and alleged perceived ill-treatment by the club.

PSG, however, are claiming their figure as compensation for Mbappe’s failed 300m euros transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in 2023.

He joined Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer the following summer.

The tribunal is not expected to come to a decision for several weeks.

The long-running dispute began in July 2023, when Mbappe turned down the move to the Saudi Pro League.

Mbappe believes he was sidelined by the French champions for that decision and for refusing to sign a contract extension.

He was not invited to take part in PSG’s pre-season tour of Asia and missed their first match of the season before being reinstated to the side.

PSG claim this followed the player’s agreement to forgo some of his end-of-contract payments to protect the club’s financial health.

However, Mbappe’s representatives have dismissed this as “fantasy”, with the player still waiting for salary and bonus payments.

Following Monday’s hearing, PSG said they were seeking “recognition of the significant damages suffered by the club” for what they called Mbappe’s “serious breaches of his legally binding contractual commitments”.

The club say Mbappe “acted disloyally by concealing for nearly eleven months, between July 2022 and June 2023, his decision not to extend his contract”.

They also rejected any claim of “harassment or pressure” and said Mbappe “benefited from exceptional conditions for seven years at Paris St-Germain”.

Mbappe was at PSG from 2017 to 2024, and scored 256 goals in 308 games, winning 15 trophies.

The Real Madrid striker was initially claiming 55m euros (£46.3m) in unpaid wages from the Ligue 1 champions in a dispute which went through French football’s governing bodies before reaching the courts.

After a goalless first half, the hosts ran riot in a dominant second period with the glut of goals kick-started when they were awarded a spot-kick after Michael Olise was fouled inside the box.

Real Madrid striker Mbappe stepped up to send a chipped penalty down the middle as goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin committed to a dive.

Ukraine will have felt aggrieved as just moments before they thought they might be awarded a penalty.

After initially waving play on following a challenge by Dayot Upamecano inside the box, referee Slavko Vincic was asked to check the monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR), but opted to stick with his original decision.

Mbappe twice went close to adding to his goal before Olise fired home to ensure France could breathe a bit easier.

Mbappe then scored his second of the match from close range in the closing stages, with that goal – the 400th of his career – taking him to 55 for his country, edging him closer to Olivier Giroud’s France record of 57.

With two minutes remaining Mbappe selflessly set up Ekitike to produce a clinical finish through the legs of the goalkeeper to get up and running for France.

According to the Ministry, the final phase of work includes a leak test on the aircraft’s fuel tanks, a third engine ground run, painting of the lower wing panel, and an acceptance flight test.

These procedures follow the repair of fuel leakages discovered in the right-hand wing tank and the restoration of corroded sections, which had delayed the completion of the overall inspection.

Addressing Parliament, Deputy Minister for Defence Ernest Brogya Genfi assured that the jet will be brought back to Ghana once all necessary tests are completed and it has been certified airworthy.

“The Falcon 900 executive aircraft was ferried to Falcon Services in France on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, for a periodic inspection. Corrosion spots were reported within the aircraft, which affected the delivery date, but extensive repairs have been completed. During the inspection, fuel leakages were observed in the right-hand wing tank. After successfully repairing this issue, additional challenges were encountered, leading to further delays. The repairs have now been completed, and the aircraft will undergo a final leak test and inspection before an acceptance flight is performed. After this, the aircraft will return to Ghana,” he explained.

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The Guardian newspaper reported that the man claimed to have been a victim of modern slavery at the hands of smuggling gangs in France.

The Home Office declined to directly confirm the report but said a migrant had been detained and their removal was being sought as soon as possible.

Forty-two people who arrived in the UK illegally have been removed so far under the scheme in which the UK agrees to take in asylum seekers who have a case for protection.

The BBC understands the man is an Iranian national and was initially detained on 6 August and was removed on 19 September, becoming the third person to be sent to France under the scheme. He returned four days ago on 18 October.

The male migrant—who the Guardian has not named—told the newspaper he returned to the UK because he feared for his life in France.

Speaking about his alleged treatments at the hands of smugglers, he said, “They took me like a worthless object, forced me to work, abused me, and threatened me with a gun and told me I would be killed if I made the slightest protest.”

Asked about the report, a Home Office spokesperson said, “We will not accept any abuse of our borders, and we will do everything in our power to remove those without the legal right to be here.

“Individuals who are returned under the pilot and subsequently attempt to re-enter the UK illegally will be removed.”

Maddie Harris, director of Humans for Rights Network, told BBC News her organisation has been in direct contact with the Iranian man.

She said, “From very on early [after his removal] he was experiencing acute fear… as a result of the experience he had at the hands of the smugglers.

“While in France he experienced horrendous treatment at the hands of the people who are organising journeys to the UK.”

She said the man returned because he felt he “was not receiving protection in France and feared those individuals may continue with that horrendous treatment.”

She also said her organisation had seen cases of others returned under the scheme who have had “compelling” evidence of mistreatment and who were not able to receive “adequate legal advice” during the “rushed” removal process.

Asked about the “one in, one out” scheme on Wednesday, a Downing Street spokesperson said, “We’ve been clear about the arrangement with France, that this is the beginning of a landmark scheme which is not in itself a silver bullet.”

The scheme, which was announced in July, is intended to deter people from crossing the Channel and encourage migrants to make asylum claims on the continent. Twenty-three people have returned to France.

Under the treaty, France agreed to take back migrants who had travelled to the UK by small boat and had their asylum claim rejected.

For each person returned to France, the UK has agreed to accept someone with a case for protection as a refugee who has not attempted to cross the Channel.

On Sunday, the Home Office said 16 people had been removed to France on a single flight, the largest group removal under the scheme yet.

The Iranian man’s return to the UK came as small boat arrivals on Wednesday meant that the number of attempts to cross the Channel this year has now exceeded the 36,816 recorded in 2024.

An official figure won’t be confirmed until Thursday.

The record number of arrivals for a single year was 45,755 in 2022, and this year’s rate is closely tracking that.

Home Office figures show that there were no crossings on six out of the last seven days but that 369 made the journey on 18 October

Source: BBC

The 28-year-old France forward scored 35 goals and made 14 assists in 53 matches for PSG last season as they won the treble, including their first Champions League.

He was the joint top scorer in Ligue 1, with 21 goals, and named the French top flight and Champions League player of the year.

And he also helped PSG to the Club World Cup final where they lost to Chelsea in New Jersey.

Dembele, who beat Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal to the award, was able to attend the ceremony in Paris – and was in tears as he stood on the stage – despite the fact his team were playing on Monday evening.

The forward is currently sidelined through injury, meaning he missed PSG’s 1-0 home defeat by Marseille in a game which was rearranged because of a storm.

It caps off a sensational career revival for a player who had not scored double figures in a league campaign season since he was a teenager at Rennes.

PSG manager Luis Enrique – who was named coach of the year – deserves huge credit for Dembele’s award because of a tactical switch in mid-December.

He moved Dembele from a wide right to centre-forward role against Lyon on 15 December, by which stage he had only scored five goals.

He hit 30 goals for PSG from that date onwards.

Dembele has finally shown the quality that persuaded Barcelona to pay an initial £96.8m, potentially rising to £135.5m, to sign him from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.

However PSG – who dominated the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards – were the team who got the bargain by recruiting him for just £43.5m in 2023.

Dembele also scored twice in seven caps for France in 2024-25.

He is the sixth Frenchman to win the award and only the second of the 21st century after Karim Benzema in 2022.

Lamine Yamal, 18, finished second – and also won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player.

PSG and Portugal midfielder Vitinha was third, and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was fourth.

Chelsea and England’s Cole Palmer finished eighth.

Last year’s winner, Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, did not make the shortlist this time after an injury-hit campaign.

Gyokeres wins top scorer trophy

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres won the Gerd Muller Trophy, which is awarded to the top scoring player in 2024-25 in European football for club and country.

The 27-year-old scored 54 goals in 52 games for Portuguese club Sporting last season – and nine goals in six Nations League games for Sweden.

He joined Arsenal in a deal worth up to £64m in the summer.

The exact criteria for the award is not known, meaning the winner was uncertain before the ceremony even though it is factually based.

Last season’s was shared between Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe (although for his time at PSG) – with 52 goals each.

The previous winners for the award which was launched in 2021 were Robert Lewandowski, twice, and Erling Haaland.

Lamine Yamal wins second Kopa Trophy

Lamine Yamal may have been disappointed not to win the Ballon d’Or, with rumours emerging hours before the event that he had won it.

But the Barcelona star did receive the Kopa Trophy, for the best player under the age of 21, for the second consecutive year.

The teenager is the first player to win it twice, although it was only created in 2018.

He helped Spain to win the domestic double last season of La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

The winger scored 18 goals – including netting in three different Clasicos – and made 21 assists in 55 games.

And he also helped Spain to the Nations League final, where they lost on penalties to Portugal, after scoring twice in a memorable 5-4 semi-final win over Dembele’s France.

Born just outside Marseille, the 27-year-old goalkeeper had appeared for France at various youth levels.

The move, which was approved by Fifa, may enable Zidane to follow in his father’s footsteps by appearing at a World Cup, with Algeria expected to secure a place at the 2026 finals in North America in their qualifier against Somalia next month.

Zidane, who is the second of four brothers, all of whom came through the Real Madrid academy, currently plays for Spanish second tier side Granada.

He played two matches for Madrid and has La Liga experience at Rayo Vallecano, but dropped a level in 2022 to play for Eibar before heading to Andalusia in 2024.

Zidane qualifies for the North African country through his father, whose parents hailed from the Kabylie region of Algeria.

Zinedine Zidane, who is regarded as one of the games greatest players scored twice for France in their 1998 World Cup final victory over Brazil, but was famously sent-off in the 2006 final, which was won by Italy after a penalty shootout.

When that was reduced on appeal to 18 months in October, the ‘if’ was taken out of the equation. The ‘when’ remained partially unanswered, but it was then the ‘where’ that was on everyone’s lips.

When an emotional Pogba put pen to paper on a two-year deal in the quaint village of La Turbie at the end of June, we had our answer.

Having not played since September 2023, it was AS Monaco who offered the 32-year-old a route back into the professional game, although they were far from the only interested party – even if clubs did bide their time following the expiry of his ban in March.

There were links to the United States, Saudi Arabia and Japan, as well as teams in his native France.

“We thought about [signing Pogba], we wanted to do it,” said Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia in February. “The problem is, if we want to bring in a Pogba, who is not yet fit, does it make sense to alter the balance?”

Benatia didn’t rule out his side making an approach but ultimately, because of significant doubts about the player’s fitness, they didn’t.

Monaco did. Pogba’s availability for no fee, following the termination of his Juventus contract, was not inconsequential to the principality club’s decision – even if, as Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro pointed out, “free agents have salaries too”.

Amid a financial crisis that has gripped the French game, Monaco, like everyone, are attentive to market opportunities, of which Pogba was certainly one of the most tempting.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Pogba, who left Le Havre aged 16 to join Manchester United’s academy, has never played domestic professional football in France

Pogba’s signing was more symbolic of a shifting strategy at Monaco, one targeting the squad’s age profile.

They prioritise providing a pathway into the first team for their academy products, with Maghnes Akliouche, Eliesse Ben Seghir and Soungoutou Magassa recently making the step up.

They also recruit young. George Ilenikhena, Christian Mawissa and Lamine Camara were Monaco’s most expensive summer recruits last season – none were above the age of 20.

In the same summer, two of the most experienced players, Wissam Ben Yedder and Guillermo Maripan, left.

By January, Scuro saw a need to adjust.

“My understanding is that, in the summer, with the goals that we have, we were becoming too young,” said the Brazilian.

“The next step that we see is getting the performance players on board. That is the challenge.”

Attempts to sign England midfielder Jordan Henderson from Ajax failed in January. Moatasem Al-Musrati arrived instead on loan, but Monaco did not trigger an option to buy the Libyan.

Monaco’s pursuit of Pogba was more recent, with ‘La Pioche’ visiting the club’s installations in mid-May, meeting with manager Adi Hutter and president Dmitry Rybolovlev.

Former England defender Eric Dier, another experienced head, also arrived for free this summer from Bayern Munich.

“We want to keep our [youth-centric] strategy, balance it a little but not step away from it,” added Scuro.

Pogba expected to return in October

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Pogba travelled with the squad but did not feature on the pitch during Monaco’s pre-season trip to England

Monaco view Pogba as a player who can help the group mature through his vast experience and natural leadership qualities, which have already been evident during a seamless integration process.

He quickly forged a strong link with the older and younger elements of the squad during Les Monegasques’ pre-season training camp in England.

While Pogba’s positive impact has been felt in the dressing room, it is hoped it will also be felt, in time, on the pitch – even if there may not be an over-reliance on the Frenchman.

Bar Paris St-Germain, it can be argued, prior to Pogba’s arrival, Monaco already had the best midfield in Ligue 1.

He is therefore something of a wildcard, a bonus, but not a player the club will need to rush back out of necessity.

That suits, because Pogba is far from operational. At the start of June, the midfielder revealed an “ambition” to play against his formative club, Le Havre, on the opening day of the season.

But Scuro quickly tempered expectations.

“I can guarantee he won’t be on the pitch against Le Havre. We are here to be realistic. We expect a three-month process,” he said.

That would have Pogba on course to play his first professional match in more than two years around the start of October.

‘It is very rare to see me cry like that’

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Pogba says he wants his kids to see him celebrate a goal with his iconic dab

Monaco and the rest of Ligue 1 will look to benefit from Pogba’s profile in the meantime.

At the time of his presentation, more than half of the Monaco shirts ordered were printed with the World Cup winner’s name, while social media content surrounding his arrival gained 400 million impressions.

Rennes manager Habib Beye and Brest manager Eric Roy have praised the signing, as has the president of the league, Vincent Labrune.

“The league will benefit not only from his talent and his charisma, but also from his international standing,” he said.

Monaco will also stand to benefit on the pitch, should Pogba prove to be the player of old, but there is no guarantee.

Even before his ban the Frenchman had been dogged by injury issues for months, even years, and even admitted to seeing a witch doctor about them.

Pogba was forced to make that admission following accusations from his brother, Mathias, that he had used a witch doctor to place a curse on Kylian Mbappe before PSG’s Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester United in 2019.

Those accusations were part of a wider extortion attempt that dates back to the midfielder’s time at Old Trafford.

In March 2022 he was kidnapped by masked men, who demanded a payment of 13m euros (£11.3m). His brother was sentenced to a three-year prison term, two years of which were suspended.

Pogba believed that difficult chapter impacted him on the pitch.

“It is all linked,” he said at his presentation, which he began by explaining his tears upon signing for Monaco.

“If the mind is good, it will go well on the pitch. It is very rare to see me cry like that, so I hope you enjoyed it. There were so many images that came into my mind.

“We know the doping story, my injury… everything came back to me during the signing and I just couldn’t hold it back. It was a moment of joy.”

Clearly marked by an unsavoury spell in the footballing wilderness, Pogba has now turned the page in his career and is eager to enjoy a fresh start.

“I spoke with multiple people [during my ban] who helped me to see things in the present, to not think about the past or the future,” he added.

Now “more determined”, Pogba has extra motivation, too, for his comeback.

“I wanted my kids to see me on the pitch – my dream is to see my kids celebrate one of my goals with a dab,” he joked.

A return to the international set-up is also a major objective, and he couldn’t be in a better place to add to his 91 caps, with France boss Didier Deschamps’ residence just a stone’s throw away from Monaco’s performance centre.

Next summer’s World Cup will be Deschamps’ final tournament after 14 years in charge. Pogba was one of his key players during Les Bleus’ 2018 triumph in Russia and, with a second chance and new lease of life, he could yet be once more.

France becomes the first country within the Paris Club framework to grant Ghana this relief after the country underwent a debt restructuring exercise caused by unsustainable levels post COVID-19.

While expressing gratitude at the signing ceremony, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson appealed to other countries within Paris Club framework to consider Ghana’s economic gains and emulate France’s gesture.

“Today is a milestone, a milestone in the sense that it has taken us some time to get here. But it is the most significant one. The most significant one, which will pave the way for others to also emulate the steps taken by France in signing this bilateral agreement”, he said.

“We expect to complete the process as soon as possible so that Ghana will breathe again.” Dr. Forson asserted in anticipation of a speedy process.

The signing comes a day after the finance minister delivered the mid-year budget statement for the 2025 fiscal year.

The ceremony hosted the French ambassador to Ghana, Jules Armand Aniambossou as well as the co-chair of the official creditors committee and the Secretary General of the Paris Club, William Roos. Also in attendance were officials from the Ministry of Finance, Official Creditors Committee and the French government.

The Member of Parliament for Ajumako Besease was optimistic that the current economic gains being enjoyed by the country will be considered by other members within the Paris Club framework and quicken the process leading to the completion of Ghana’s external debt restructuring.

“We have gone through turbulent signs but we can see that hope is in sight. We can see that the economy is recovering from economic crises. Inflation which was at 54% is now 13.7% and we expect it to be better.”

The French Ambassador said the action taken by France signifies the healthy relations that exist between the countries.

According to him, the move was crucial due to Ghana’s unique role in the submission and its economic recovery programme.

“This decision was taken not recognise the relationship between the two countries. When your friend or family is facing difficulties, you have to show that you are there for them and take some key actions.”

“This day is also crucial because it enables Ghana to continue its financial recovery.” Amb. Aniambossou noted.

Meanwhile, Willaim Roos, has called for effective collaboration to ensure Ghana sails through its restructuring exercise successfully.

“We have to learn to work together. We have to progressively build a strong trust between France, China and the G20 and Paris Club members.”

Source: myjoyonline

The aircraft, which has been undergoing servicing, was found to have severe corrosion in its fuel tanks. In addition, the air intake plug receptacle of the second engine was also corroded, contributing to the prolonged delay.

A major component, the jet’s turbofan, had to be replaced entirely after assessments deemed the original beyond repair.

This is not the first time the presidential aircraft has suffered setbacks.

The Falcon 900EX has faced a growing list of maintenance issues in recent years, raising concerns about its airworthiness and reliability.

Source: Myjoyonline.com 

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Paris St-Germain striker Ousmane Dembele goes into Wednesday’s Club World Cup semi-final against Real Madrid tipped by many to claim this year’s prize for the world’s best player.

His goals have already helped a young and vibrant PSG side win the Champions League, Ligue 1 and Coupe de France this season – now he has his eyes on completing a quadruple in the United States.

Not only does the tie at the MetLife Stadium in New York pit the current European champions against the record winners of the competition, it also sees Dembele go head to head with friend and former PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe is PSG’s record goalscorer with 256 goals after joining them from Monaco on an initial loan in 2017, but it was not until after his departure that football’s holy grail – the Champions League – finally ended up in Paris.

Ironically, you could also credit Mbappe’s PSG exit last summer with paving the way for 28-year-old Dembele to have the greatest season of his career to date.

‘If he doesn’t win it there is a problem with the Ballon d’Or’

Most people believe this year’s Ballon d’Or – with the nominations due in August – is a straight race between France’s Dembele and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal. It has been eight years in the making for the former.

His talent has never been in question.

France striker Dembele was once the second-most expensive player in the world when he signed for Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £135.5m in 2017 and, four years later, was described by Barca president Joan Laporta as “better than Mbappe”.

A week later, the newly-appointed Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said he was a player who “when used properly, could be the best player in the world”.

Four years on and with his six-year spell of inconsistency and unfulfilled potential at Barcelona behind him, Dembele is certainly being used properly.

He has scored 34 goals and made 15 assists in 51 matches in all competitions in the season of his life so far, with those close to him adamant his form warrants the ultimate accolade on 22 September.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi told DAZN before Wednesday’s heavyweight semi-final: “Ousmane’s season is magnificent.

“If he doesn’t win it, there is a problem with the Ballon d’Or. He has done everything.”

PSG needed a new talisman – step forward Dembele

In August 2023, PSG bought the France international for just £43.5m, and he scored six goals and made 14 assists as PSG won the league and cup double.

He was far from the main man though with club-record scorer Mbappe netting 44 in all competitions in the best of his seven seasons for PSG. It turned out to be his last as Real Madrid came calling.

A new-look PSG needed a new leader and talisman. Step forward Dembele.

Last summer, manager Luis Enrique told Dembele that without Mbappe in the team he needed more goals from him to go with his large number of assists – carte blanche for the player to show a more selfish approach with less passing and a bigger desire to score.

In private, the coaching staff have frequently told him that if he managed to convert a decent percentage of the chances he creates, it could lead to collective success and then individual honours.

Dembele took it all on board and has relished playing in his new tactical role.

In 2023-24, he was mostly played on the right. There was no way of dislodging Mbappe from the central role.

Now he operates as a false nine, inside, where he touches the ball more, enjoys a greater freedom to receive passes and participates in the build-up but with more chances to finish.

“Would I vote for Dembele? Yes,” Mbappe said when asked who should win the Ballon d’Or last month.

“I don’t think it needs much explaining. People are talking about Lamine Yamal and Dembele, but my choice is clear: I vote for Dembele.”

Dembele was once Barca’s most-fined player – what changed?

To put Dembele’s transformation solely down to Mbappe’s Real move would be wrong. That was simply the final piece in the jigsaw.

Despite being largely injury free at Rennes and Dortmund, he sustained 14 muscle injuries in his time at the Nou Camp, spending 784 days sidelined.

Concerns over discipline and professionalism led the club to assign private chefs to him, while late nights because of gaming affected his training punctuality, making him the club’s most-fined player in recent years.

Still, when fit, his explosive pace and dribbling made him a game-changer, as he showed glimpses of the talent Barcelona invested in.

So what changed him?

Those that know Dembele best – and few do – say he changed after marrying his girlfriend Rima in Morocco in December 2021, and soon after he had a child.

The wedding came as a surprise to many of his team-mates, not least because they did not even know he had a partner.

So the big changes to his life occurred in his last two seasons at Barcelona when, essentially, he grew up.

Dembele worked at home with a physiotherapist and frequently went to France to receive specialised preventative treatments. With the eyes and mind of a father, he began to see things differently.

He finally took on board the importance of good nutrition and, for the past few seasons, has employed a French nutritionist who has helped him maintain a healthier lifestyle.

For some time many believed that a Champions League triumph for PSG would be dependent on the on-field achievements of one of France’s heroes.

They were right – just not with Mbappe, but a rejuvenated Dembele.

The captain finished well for the 45th-minute opener following a pass from Real Madrid team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni.

And Mbappe set up the second goal six minutes from time when he pounced on a mistake from Robin Koch and unselfishly squared the ball for Michael Olise to slot into the empty net.

Germany had their chances, though, with both a penalty award and goal overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR).

First Karim Adeyemi was awarded a spot-kick after being brought down by France keeper Mike Maignan, but the Germany forward was instead booked for diving after a VAR check.

And then Deniz Undav’s effort was disallowed after Niclas Fullkrug was deemed to have fouled Adrien Rabiot in the build-up.

Adeyemi also had three shots saved by Chelsea target Maignan, while Florian Wirtz struck a post.

But France could have added to their goal haul in Stuttgart too. Marcus Thuram’s curling strike hit the post, while Mbappe missed the target several times and forced a great save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany have now failed to win in three games, including Wednesday’s semi-final defeat by Portugal.

Captain Joshua Kimmich told RTL: “We should have been leading 3-0 after six minutes. Then we went into the break a goal behind.

“We lost patience too early and lost our structure in the second half. We made too many mistakes and gave them what they wanted.”

Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps added: “Mike [Maignan] was a fantastic last line of defence and he kept us in it at the start.

“I thought the scoreline at half-time against Spain [2-0] was incredibly severe. I’m not going to sit here and lie to you and say that we deserved to go into half-time today in the lead, but it allowed us to go on and become better.”

Spain, who beat France 5-4 in their last-four tie, and Portugal play in the final later on Sunday (20:00 BST) in Munich.

The 17-year-old Barcelona forward, one of the contenders to win the Ballon d’Or for the best player in the world this season, helped his side into 4-0 and 5-1 leads in Stuttgart.

But they were nearly pegged back as France staged a thrilling fightback, scoring three times in the last 11 minutes in a desperate attempt to take the game into extra time.

But Spain held on and they will face Portugal in the final in Munich on Sunday, while France take on Germany in Stuttgart in the third-fourth play-off.

Leading 2-0 through goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Merino, Yamal earned a penalty when he was fouled by Adrien Rabiot, and calmly sent goalkeeper Mike Maignan the wrong way from the spot.

Pedri made it 4-0, collecting a Williams pass and clinically finishing before France pulled a goal back through Kylian Mbappe’s penalty following a foul by Tottenham’s Pedro Porro.

But Yamal grabbed his second and Spain’s fifth with a fine low strike and the game looked over.

However, France substitute Rayan Cherki sparked the revival when, on his international debut, he collected Mbappe’s pass, flicked the ball up and volleyed home a wonderful strike from 20 yards out to make it 5-2.

Spanish defender Dani Vivian slid the ball into his own net with six minutes left and then, in the third minute of injury time, Randal Kolo Muani headed in Cherki’s cross to make it 5-4, but France could not find an equaliser.

In the south-west town of Dax, a 17-year-old boy died after being stabbed in the chest late on Saturday evening, local media reported.

A 23-year-old man who was riding a scooter in central Paris was also killed after being hit by a vehicle, the prosecutor’s office said.

Flares and fireworks were set off, bus shelters smashed and cars torched amid wild celebrations as PSG won the biggest prize in European club football for the first time in their history.

Paris police prefect Laurent Nuñez said PSG’s Champions League trophy parade will go ahead on Sunday evening – but there will be an increased police and military presence on the ground.

Nuñez spoke after the French interior ministry said 192 people were injured in the overnight clashes and 559 people arrested, including 491 in Paris.

Twenty-two police officers and seven firefighters were injured, the ministry said, adding that 264 vehicles were set on fire.

Nuñez said: “The toll is lower than what we have seen in the past, but we will never get used to this kind of abuse, with people who only came to commit acts of vandalism and who did not even watch the match, and we will always have a very firm response.”

“This is just half time for us because the PSG players are coming to Paris,” he said, with a celebration expected around the Parc des Princes where players will meet fans.

“There again we are expecting some clashes, some scuffles and we will be there and we will be very strong in our response against the vandals, against the thieves who have a go at the police officers.

“We will not tolerate any abuse today and the fans who want to enjoy the parade, can do so safely.”

He added that “PSG supporters shouldn’t be mixed up with gangs of looters and vandals”.

Separately, the Paris Prosecutor’s Office told the BBC “several shops were looted” in the Place des Ternes area. About 30 people were arrested and taken into custody near a Foot Locker on the Champs-Elysées that was robbed, the office said.

Elsewhere across France, Dax mayor Julien Dubois, reacting to the fatal stabbing, said his “thoughts are with the young victim, his family and friends”.

“We are floored by all the drama tonight,” he wrote on social media. “It is advisable to quickly shed light on these facts in order to severely punish the perpetrator.”

Getty Images: Cars were burned amid the disorder after PSG won the largest-ever victory in a Champions League final

While clashes broke out near the city’s Champs-Élysées avenue and PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, the majority of fans celebrated PSG’s 5-0 win over Inter Milan peacefully, with many singing and dancing in the streets or blaring their car horns.

The Eiffel Tower was illuminated with PSG’s blue and red colours.

French President Emmanuel Macron, a keen supporter of rivals Olympique de Marseille, posted on X: “A glorious day for PSG! Bravo, we are all proud. Paris, the capital of Europe this evening.”

Getty Images: Most fans celebrated peacefully

Approximately 5,400 police were deployed across Paris in anticipation of the raucous celebrations.

At least 300 people detained were suspected of possessing fireworks and causing disorder, Paris police said.

“Troublemakers on the Champs-Elysees were looking to create incidents and repeatedly came into contact with police by throwing large fireworks and other objects,” police said in a statement.

Riot police reportedly used a water cannon to stop a crowd reaching the Arc de Triomphe, and fired tear gas into the crowds.

Other clashes between police and crowds occurred on the Paris ring road. At least two cars were torched near the Parc des Princes.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau took a hard line against the disorder, writing on social media: “True PSG supporters are enjoying their team’s magnificent match.

“Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke the police.

“It’s unbearable that it’s unthinkable to party without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing.”

Reuters

Meanwhile, outside Paris, police said a car ploughed into PSG fans in Grenoble in south-east France, leaving four people injured.

All those hurt were from the same family, police said. Two were seriously injured.

The driver handed himself into the police and was placed under arrest. A source close to the investigation told the AFP news agency it was believed the driver had not acted intentionally.

The trophy parade in central Paris – scheduled for 17:00 local time (16:00 BST) – will run for one hour from the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe.

After the parade, the PSG players and staff will be received at the Élysée Palace and later on Sunday evening the trophy will be presented in front of season ticket holders at the Parc des Princes.

Fast forward six months – with a potential Champions League semi-final reunion a growing possibility – and Paris St-Germain’s brilliant young forward has captured the imagination of Europe.

For someone whose name translates to ‘desire gifted’ in English, the 19-year-old has shown vast quantities of both since putting that false start behind him in spectacular fashion.

Doue’s day of disappointment came in a 2-0 loss at Emirates Stadium in the tournament’s new league table format.

Since then, he has matured into a central piece in the new PSG assembled by coach Luis Enrique, performing superbly when Manchester City were beaten 4-2 at Parc des Princes in January, then delivering a brilliant cameo as a substitute before scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout win at Anfield in the last 16.

And, in his most mesmerising display yet, he scored a stunning curling equaliser while running Aston Villa ragged in PSG’s captivating 3-1 win in the quarter-final first leg.

All eyes will be on Doue at Villa Park on Wednesday, one of the poster boys – along with young Georgian genius Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – for the new PSG model as they move away from the so-called ‘Bling Bling’ era of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi to a structured team ethic.

It has been a meteoric rise for Angers-born Doue, who was not even a guaranteed starter at Rennes last season before making a £43m move to PSG in the summer as they tried to fill Mbappe-sized holes in their attack.

Doue comes from strong footballing stock, with his 22-year-old brother Guela playing right-back for Strasbourg after leaving Rennes, while cousin Yann Gboho is a talented attacking midfield player at Toulouse.

He is of French-Ivorian descent, making his full France debut in the 2-0 win against Croatia in the Uefa Nations League quarter-final in March, again scoring a penalty as they went through after a shootout.

Brother Guela has other international allegiances, winning international caps for Ivory Coast.

The brothers developed under the watchful guidance of father Maho, who worked with them every day – organising training sessions outside the work they were doing at Rennes, and still exerts a wise and steadying influence on their careers.

Some eyebrows were raised when PSG paid such a large fee for Doue in the summer, but Rennes are as good at driving a hard bargain as they are producing young gems.

They have history, selling Doue’s current team-mate Ousmane Dembele to Borussia Dortmund, Eduardo Camavinga to Real Madrid and Mathys Tel, now on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, to Bayern Munich.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Manchester United and Newcastle United all showed serious interest in Doue – but it came down to PSG or Bayern.

French football expert Julien Laurens told BBC Sport: “PSG probably would have liked to pay about £34m and tried to get it down, while Bayern were happy to pay more than £50m – but he wanted to go to PSG.

“It might have felt a little high, as it was when PSG paid £34m for Bradley Barcola after six good months as Lyon, but there is a premium, as there is in England, when you sell from French club to French club.

“The key was that Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos were both convinced they were getting a superstar in the making.

“Doue is so talented, strong mentally and physically. At PSG, they say he’s got rugby players’ legs because the bottom half of his body is so strong.

“They knew in Paris it would take time but they were ready. Luis Enrique was so happy to sign him. He was the player he wanted. They were aware he may need half-a-season, a season, but were happy to wait if needed.”

Despite these new burdens, PSG insiders have been hugely delighted with Doue’s dedication and professionalism.

“The club have been very impressed with his fitness work, gym work,” said Laurens.

It was the same at Rennes, former coach Bruno Genesio saying: “Away from the pitch he’s a dream: easy, calm, with a streak of leadership while still asking for advice. He’s both care-free and conscientious in his work. He’s already a pro in his head.”

Doue first hit the radar when France won the European Under-17 Championships in Israel in 2022, then he was on the bench for the Olympic final in Paris two years later, coming on after 77 minutes when France lost 5-3 to Spain after extra time.

The Olympics arguably contributed to his slow start at PSG, lacking a proper pre-season, but he has been the beneficiary of careful management by Luis Enrique – who has worked individually with Doue, encouraging him through his quiet start.

He has only made five starts in the Champions League this season, with seven appearances as a substitute, scoring three goals and adding two assists.

It was at Anfield where he made his mark, coming on after 67 minutes to deliver a performance of remarkable maturity, capping it by being entrusted with the spot-kick that sent PSG through.

Doue has been kept out of the limelight by PSG, while the calming, grounded influence of his family is a huge factor.

Laurens explained: “The dad, Maho, is very influential in everything they do. Some families think their son is the next Cristiano Ronaldo, oblivious to everything going on on the pitch, but they were realistic.

“After the Arsenal game, where he did look out of his depth, they said he wasn’t ready for the big step up another level. They understood he had to work a lot, he had to mature. They were very realistic about what he had to do. It was very impressive, very refreshing. They understood.”

Doue has also had to adjust to life in the Paris goldfish bowl, away from quieter Rennes.

He lives in the fashionable Boulogne-Billancourt area and Pierre-Etienne Minonzio, based in Paris with influential sports paper L’Equipe, told BBC Sport: “Recently he was in a very popular shop. He was there just looking for a book when somebody spotted him.

“It was totally normal because he is so young, but maybe he did not understand it is going to be hard for him to be in crowded places in Paris.

“It is good that he thought he was not a star, but he probably hasn’t been back. He’s very into performance, wanting to be the best. If you tell him one of the next steps in his evolution is not to be seen so much in public, he will understand no problem.”

It took until December for Doue to score his first PSG goal, in the 3-0 win away to Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League, but since then it has been lift-off.

“He was born in 2005 and in France’s football world, everybody said the big thing in France born in 2005 was Mathys Tel, now at Spurs,” Minonzio said.

“For his generation Doue was not the one because he was less talented than Tel, but when you get older the psychological attributes make a lot of difference and Doue has shown incredible mental strength.

“Everybody thought for this generation of players Tel would be the main guy, but now the talk is Doue.”

And to crown his development, Doue was called up by France coach Didier Deschamps, overtaking two other players regarded as potential members of the new generation, Lyon forward Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco.

Laurens said: “It all changed from a wider perspective after his debut for France. He was outstanding against Croatia. He was not scared, demanded the ball, scored a penalty. This guy had arrived.”

In France, the general view is that Doue’s form left Deschamps with no option.

Minonzio says: “Deschamps is obsessed with the Champions League. He wants his players to show him their ability in high-level games. He is always a little hesitant to take players who are very good in French league games but don’t play in Champions League.

“It was obvious in March that Deschamps had no choice other than to select him.”

Villa Park is the next step on his development. And while the sky seems the limit, there is still caution.

“A few months ago I would have told you the face of the new PSG would be Warren Zaire-Emery. Just 19, Parisian, lots of talent.” says Minonzio.

“Everything he did was so impressive but you always have to wait to see how they react when there are problems.

“This is the fascination with Doue in France. We still don’t know how good he will be but at the moment he is free, does not ask any questions and life is good. He has been incredible.”

The former Juventus and Manchester United midfielder was given a four-year ban as a result of a failed doping test that took place in August of 2023, after an away match against Udinese in Serie A.

The 2018 World Cup winner was prohibited from any involvement in professional footballing activity, was forced to train away from the club’s training centre, and eventually had his contract terminated by Juventus in November 2024. The suspension was later reduced, and Pogba has been allowed to return to competitive football since March 2025.

Speaking in an interview with GQ France, Pogba revealed: “I would have quit football had I taken four years. I didn’t want to say it publicly, but that’s what I thought.”

Describing what life was like training away from Continassa while his teammates carried on as normal, he added: “I took the ball and played outside, alone. I made do with what I had. But I didn’t want to stay in Turin. The next morning, I dropped my children off at school, which was right next to the training centre, what a pain …”

And, describing his initial reaction after learning of his four-year suspension, Pogba said: “I didn’t understand. What for? They gave me the maximum sentence, which meant that they didn’t really listen to what I’d told them.”

Pogba’s suspension was later reduced, and he became eligible to play competitively again at the beginning of 2025.

But, how did the Frenchman end up ingesting a prohibited substance, particularly when he has access to top-class facilities and experts in the Juventus medical staff?

“Football is like that today,” columnist Daniel Rioli added.

“All players have services on the side, which they deploy on top of what they do with their clubs. They employ people for their physical preparation, their diet, their mental health, but also for protection, or even a hairdresser or secretary.

“It’s part of the individualism of modern football, but we have to wonder if there was an injury risk when this kind of individualised approach is added to what a club has already said. IF that is the case, Pogba has had a lot of injuries in his career.”

Michael Olise ignited the turnaround with a stunning free-kick just seven minutes into the second half, halving Croatia’s aggregate lead after their 2-0 victory in the first leg.

The Bayern Munich star then delivered an assist to the in-form Ousmane Dembele, whose first-time finish forced the tie into extra time.

Kylian Mbappe came closest to breaking the deadlock but was thrice denied by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, ensuring the French star’s eight-month wait for an international goal continued.

But it was Livakovic’s counterpart Mike Maignan who proved the hero in the shoot-out, with the AC Milan stopper saving two penalties, paving the way for Dayot Upamecano to strike the decisive spot-kick.

Deschamps, who has led France to World Cup and Nations League glory, will leave his post after FIFA’s next global tournament. In an interview with L’Équipe, he called Zidane a “natural choice” to take over.

“Zidane is a very good option,” Deschamps said. “There is a lot of respect between us. But in the end, it will be his choice and the decision of the French Football Federation.”

The FFF president, Philippe Diallo,  echoed the same opinion, saying: “He is a legend of French and world football. He played a key role in our first World Cup win. He has my full respect.”

Zidane has always been open to leading Kylian Mbappe’s teammates. In an interview on French TV back in 2022, he made it clear: “I want to coach France. I hope it happens one day.”

Despite stepping down, Deschamps made one thing clear – he is not retiring. “I’m leaving something that has been great for many years, but I am not stopping coaching. There are many options for the future.”

The 56-year-old is France’s longest-serving coach, having been in charge since 2012.

He led Les Bleus to victory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as well as reaching the final of the 2022 tournament in Qatar and Euro 2016 on home soil.

“In 2026 it will be over. In my head it’s very clear,” Deschamps told French broadcaster TF1.

“I’ve done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level.

“One has to be able to say stop, there’s a life after this. The most important is for France to stay at the top as they have been for many years.”

France have yet to begin their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, with their group dependant on the result of their Nations League quarter-final against Croatia in March.

Former midfielder Deschamps is only the third man after Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer to win the World Cup as both player and manager, having captained his country to glory in 1998.

He succeeded Laurent Blanc after France’s quarter-final exit at Euro 2012 and secured qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Les Bleus were beaten by eventual champions Germany in the last eight.

In 2016 he led the team to the final of their home European Championship, but they were beaten by Portugal after extra time.

His crowning moment arrived two years later, as France lifted the World Cup for a second time following a 4-2 win over Croatia in Moscow.

A Nations League title followed in 2021 before they again reached the World Cup final in Qatar, only to be denied by Argentina on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Before taking charge of France Deschamps had spells in charge of Monaco, Juventus and Marseille, winning at least one trophy with each.

Prior to that he had enjoyed a stellar playing career at domestic and international level.

He won 14 major honours, including Champions League titles with Marseille and Juventus, and the FA Cup with Chelsea.

The defensive midfielder also earned 103 caps for France, captaining the national team to victory at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

The Real Madrid forward was not selected for upcoming matches against Israel and Italy.

Mbappe, 25, was left out of France’s squad in October for two Nations League matches as a precaution given he had just returned from injury and had been expected to return for selection this month.

“I’ve had discussions with him, it is a decision that I took for this block of matches only,” Deschamps said at a news conference on Thursday. “Kylian wanted to come.”

The forward, who joined Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer from Paris St-Germain, has struggled for form since moving to the Bernabeu.

Mbappe has scored eight goals in 15 appearances for the La Liga club but has only netted once in his past five games.

Real, who won both the Champions League and La Liga last season, were beaten 4-0 by rivals Barcelona last month and trail the Catalans by nine points in the league.

Mbappe, a World Cup winner in 2018, has scored 48 goals in 86 appearances for France.

The Frenchman released a video on his social media account on Monday where he said it was “time for me to turn the page and make way for the next generation”.

Griezmann’s last game for France came in the Euro 2024 semi-finals, where Didier Deschamps’ side suffered a disappointing defeat to eventual winners Spain.

The 33-year-old spent a decade playing for Les Bleus with his debut coming in March 2014, playing 137 matches for his national team and scoring 44 goals in the process.

The pinnacle of his international career came at the 2018 World Cup in Russia where France were crowned world champions for the first time since 1998.

“Today, it is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from the French national team,” Griezmann said in an online video.

C’est avec le cœur plein de souvenirs que je clos ce chapitre de ma vie. Merci pour cette magnifique aventure tricolore et à bientôt. 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/qpw8dvdtFt

— Antoine Griezmann (@AntoGriezmann) September 30, 2024

“After 10 incredible years marked by challenges, successes and unforgettable moments, it is time for me to turn the page and make way for the new generation.

“Wearing this jersey was an honour and a privilege. Since March 2014 and until last September, I had the opportunity to experience incredible moments alongside exceptional teammates. We shared victories that will remain forever engraved in our memories.”

Griezmann enjoyed a breakout tournament for his national team when France hosted Euro 2016. Playing as a striker, Griezmann won the Golden Boot after scoring six goals.

It was a painful ending to the tournament as Griezmann and France were unable to overcome Portugal in the final, losing 1-0 after extra time.

France bounced back from their Euros heartbreak by winning the World Cup two years later in Russia, with Griezmann playing a key role in his nation’s success.

Griezmann played every match at the tournament and saved his best performances for the knockouts, where he either scored or assisted a goal in every match.

The Atleti man scored from the penalty spot and assisted two more goals in the final as France cruised to a 4-2 victory over Croatia.

Griezmann continued to play an important role for France at tournaments as he was asked to play a deeper role in midfield with Kylian Mbappe becoming the focal point up front.

Griezmann’s stellar displays at the 2022 World Cup helped France reach back-to-back finals, where they suffered a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to Lionel Messi’s Argentina.

From his decade on the international stage, Griezmann is fourth in the men’s all-time scorer list, and only Hugo Lloris and Lilian Thuram have made more appearances than him.

Telegram gave no details of the arrest but said the Dubai-based company abided by European Union laws and its moderation was “within industry standards and constantly improving”.

FRENCH CITIZEN

Source: Reuters

The 47-year-old signed a two-year deal to manage the side in 2023.

Henry lead an under-23 side on home turf at the Paris Games, where France lost the final 5-3 to Spain in extra time.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona striker’s contract had been due to run until after next year’s European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia, but Henry has decided to step away from the role.

“Winning the silver medal at the Olympic Games for my country will remain one of the greatest prides of my life,” said Henry in a statement.

“I am incredibly grateful to the federation, the players, the staff and the supporters who allowed me to live a magical experience.”

The France Football Federation said it “obviously regrets” Henry’s decision, adding that he had “achieved the objectives set for him”.

Henry won four of his six matches in charge of the under-21s, winning eight of his 11 games in charge of the Olympic team – which included strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Jean-Philippe Mateta as overage players.

France finished top of their group following wins over the USA, Guinea and New Zealand, beating Argentina and Egypt in the knockout stages before their final defeat by Spain.

Henry won 123 caps for France during his playing career, scoring 51 times.

A star-studded American team packed with NBA icons, led by LeBron James and Steph Curry, demonstrated their quality to win 98-87 amid a febrile atmosphere at Bercy Arena.

The success saw the current crop emulate the 1992 ‘Dream Team’ which they have been regularly compared to.

In front of almost 20,000 boisterous fans, France refused to roll over and moved back within three points at 82-79 with the clock ticking down in the final quarter.

But Curry, as he so regularly does, instantly landed a three-pointer for 85-79 to ease the pressure and swished three more as the Americans raced away.

Ultimately, Les Bleus did not have enough to put the Americans into an unwanted bracket of failure.

Pretty much every US Olympic squad since the Barcelona Games has been compared to the side led by Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.

Six teams have won Olympic gold – but none have ever come close to being revered like this Gen Z ensemble cast.

Now, after securing victory in Paris, a group featuring four NBA regular season MVP winners – James, Curry, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid – 11 NBA All-Stars and seven NBA champions has to be mentioned in the same breath.

Curry was the focal point of the American celebrations when the final hooter went, hugged by his team-mates and draped in a Stars and Stripes flag by James.

Stars turn out for hottest ticket in town

On the penultimate night of the Games, it was the Bercy Arena which felt like the hottest ticket in town.

France, led by NBA rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama, against the American All Stars.

The magnitude of the occasion was indicated by the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and calibre of athletes – past and present – courtside.

The hosts were represented by football icon Thierry Henry and NBA legend Tony Parker, along with swimmer Leon Marchand and judoka Teddy Riner.

On the American side of celeb row was sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, television personality Jimmy Fallon and Scottie Pippen, part of the legendary 1992 roster which the current crop were trying to emulate.

Not everyone was so lucky, however. Fans without tickets waited outside holding homemade signs pleading for someone to help them out.

If those outside did manage to join the 16,000 other fans inside, it was well worth the gamble.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Scottie Pippen sat next to fellow basketball legend Sue Bird and former United States footballer Megan Rapinoe

How US stars claimed gold

The high-octane atmosphere in the stands continued on the court as the stars came out to play.

France began well with their talisman Wembanyama – the 7ft 2in prodigy – scoring seven points in a fast and furious start.

But the Americans quickly raised their level and responded strongly.

James illustrated their growing confidence with a behind-the-back assist which Devin Booker put away before a pair of three-pointers from Anthony Edwards secured a 20-15 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

France rallied at the start of the second period to turn a five-point deficit into a lead, but Team USA stepped on the gas.

A six-point gap opened up at 37-31 when James trampled through French defenders in trademark fashion, with Curry and Jrue Holiday landing from behind the arc to put them eight points ahead at half-time.

The hosts had an uphill task in front of them to dethrone the kings of the Olympic court.

Continued to be backed by vociferous support, they kept plugging away to stay within reach.

The third quarter closed at 72-66 and, although they refused to give up in the final period, their wait for a maiden Olympic title goes on.

Substitute Sergio Camello was the hero in the additional period, with two adroit finishes over Guillaume Restes to win a chaotic and engrossing match.

Spain initially looked to have won this final after 10 exceptional first-half minutes, in which Fermin Lopez scored twice before Alex Baena floated a free kick into the net to put them in charge in the final.

Eric Millot had put France ahead after just 12 minutes when his shot went through the hands of Arnau Tenas and in at the far post.

France mounted a stirring comeback in the dying minutes of the second half, with a goal from Maghnes Akliouche with 10 minutes to play and an injury-time penalty from Jean-Philippe Mateta pulling Les Bleus level at 3-3.

This victory gives Spain gold in the men’s football competition for the first time since 1992 when they triumphed in front of their home crowd in Barcelona.

The result means Thierry Henry’s side are guaranteed a first medal in the tournament in 40 years when they play Spain at the Parc des Princes on Friday (17:00 BST).

Mateta, 27, swept in a late equaliser from Michael Olise’s pass to level the scores after Mahmoud Saber had powered in an opener for Egypt from close range in Lyon.

Crystal Palace forward Mateta headed the hosts in front nine minutes into extra time, after Omar Fayed had been dismissed for a second yellow card.

Faye’s first booking came in second-half stoppage time as he protested against a French appeal for a penalty that was not awarded after a VAR review.

Olise rounded off the scoring for France, with Egypt now set to face Morocco in Nantes on Thursday (16:00) in the bronze-medal match.

There has been recent animosity between the teams after Argentina players were filmed singing a derogatory song about France’s black players in the aftermath of winning the Copa America on 14 July.

It was similar to a song sung by Argentina fans during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – a tournament in which the South Americans went on to beat France in the final.

At the Olympics, Argentina’s rugby sevens players have been booed in each of their games by the home French fans.

“With everything that has happened recently, everyone in France was affected, so we will see what happens in the quarter-finals,” said Jean-Philippe Mateta, who captained France in their win against New Zealand.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, uncapped at senior level, is one of France’s overage players

Why is there animosity between the teams?

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Argentina won the Copa America in July but were heavily criticised for singing a song about France players of African descent afterwards

After beating Colombia 1-0 in the Copa America final in July, several members of the Argentina squad were filmed singing a song questioning the heritage of France’s black and mixed-race players.

Argentina fans had sung a song which was described as both racist and homophobic about France’s players at the last World Cup.

The rivalry grew when Argentina beat France on penalties in a thrilling final – with Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick having been only enough for Les Bleus to earn a 3-3 draw.

After that December 2022 game, footage emerged from the Argentina dressing room of the players singing “a minute’s silence for” and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez shouting “for Mbappe who is dead”.

At their celebrations back in Argentina, Aston Villa’s Martinez held a toy baby with Mbappe’s face on, while fans had a coffin lid with a picture of the forward which they set on fire.

Those issues were stirred up again after Argentina’s Copa America final win.

Chelsea have decided not to take any action against their midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was singing and had posted the video to his social media account.

His Blues team-mate Wesley Fofana, a French man with an Ivorian father, called it “uninhibited racism” and has since said he hopes the matter will have educated Fernandez.​​​​​​​

What players will be involved?

The men’s football tournament of the Olympics is an under-23 event – with three overage players allowed.

Fifa does not force clubs to release players – so managers have to choose from who is available.

Hosts France had wanted to call up Mbappe, but Real Madrid would not allow their new star signing to play at the European Championship and Olympics in the same summer.

France’s squad includes Crystal Palace striker Mateta, his former club-mate Michael Olise, who has joined Bayern Munich this summer, and captain Alexandre Lacazette, once of Arsenal.

Les Bleus beat the United States, Guinea and New Zealand in the group stages without conceding a goal. Their three overage players have all scored.

Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez is in Argentina’s Olympics squad, just weeks after winning the Copa America with the senior team.

Former City defender Nicolas Otamendi, now of Benfica, and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, who was once registered to City but never played for them, are the other two overage players. Both were also involved in the victorious Copa America squad.

Argentina lost 2-1 to Morocco in their opening Group B game but beat Iraq and Ukraine to go through in second place. Botafogo forward Thiago Almada is their top scorer with two goals.

Mascherano v Henry – the managers

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Thierry Henry had been linked with the Wales job earlier this summer

Both sides are managed by former Barcelona and Premier League players – although Thierry Henry and Javier Mascherano never played together.

Midfielder Mascherano joined Barca from Liverpool weeks after forward Henry left them for New York Red Bulls in the summer of 2010.

Mascherano, who won 147 caps for Argentina, played for West Ham as well as the Reds in England.

He won two gold medals in the Olympics, in 2004 and 2008, and has managed his country’s under-20s since 2021.

Henry, who is Arsenal’s all-time top scorer with 228 goals, scored 51 international goals in 123 games for France.

He has been France Under-21 boss since last year, and has previously been Belgium assistant and Monaco and Montreal Impact manager.

Quarter-final fixtures – Friday, 2 August (all times BST)

14:00: Morocco v United States, Paris

16:00: Japan v Spain, Lyon

18:00: Egypt v Paraguay, Marseille

20:00: France v Argentina, Bordeaux

If there’s one thing Parisians want tourists to know before millions of people descend on their city for the Olympics, it’s a simple, seven-letter word.

“Bonjour.”

Knowing how to say “hello” in French might seem like a no-brainer, but experts say it’s the essential first step if you want to make a good impression. Take it from a former US expat who lived there.

“If you’re going to France and you don’t start off all your interactions with ‘bonjour,’ you may be in for a little bit of a rude awakening,” says Elisabeth Guenette, who regularly shares language tips and cultural insights from her time teaching both in France and in the US with her 150,000-plus followers on social media.

And the locals back her up. Asking for help? While “excuse me” might be an acceptable way to get someone’s attention in the US, in France it would be considered overly abrupt and rude.

“Starting with ‘bonjour’ will already drastically change your experience,’ Guenette says. “That is the No. 1 rule.”

And that rule applies whether you’re checking into a hotel, buying a baguette or making a restaurant reservation, says Countess Marie de Tilly, a French etiquette coach whose clients include brands like Chanel and Cartier.

“If you don’t say ‘bonjour,’” de Tilly explains, restaurant staff “won’t work too hard to book a table for you. It’s the key.”

Guenette says the same expectation applies if you’re simply walking into a store, even if you’re just casually browsing for souvenirs and not necessarily looking for help from the staff.

“This is a difference with American culture,” says Guenette. In France, “any store where you walk in and you can see the people who work there, you need to greet them.”

The differences don’t stop there. Here’s what else you need to know to save yourself from making a major faux pas in France.

French 101

Asking someone to take a photo for you? Say “bonjour” first.

Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Just like “hello” is essential for starting off on the right foot, knowing how to say goodbye is equally important. That’s “au revoir,” but if you want to switch it up, you could also say “bonne journée” (Have a nice day) or “bonne soirée” (Have a good night) if it’s evening.

Speaking a few words in French can go a long way, Guenette says.

“Knowing a tiny bit of French to begin your conversations shows that you are respecting their culture,” she says.

“They most likely will speak English,” she says, but it’s important not to assume.

Be willing to try to speak in French, even if you might make a mistake, says Marie de Tilly.

“It’s exactly the same when I go to the US… I can try to speak English,” she says.

So, if you’re willing to try to speak French, here are few more terms to know:

S’il vous plaît: Please

Merci: Thank you

Pardon/Excusez-moi: Excuse me

It’s not about perfect pronunciation, but rather about showing respect for the country you’re visiting, de Tilly says.

“People want to see that you make an effort.”

Café culture

In a country renowned for its cuisine, “meals are sacred,” Guenette says.

While taking 15 or 20 minutes to eat a quick meal is fairly common in the US, that’s not typically the case in France, where historically it’s been illegal to eat your lunch at your desk.

Instead, workers often take advantage of the “formule du jour,” a two- or three-course meal deal advertised on chalkboards outside of countless Paris bistros.

“Meals are a precious time, and they take time,” Guennette explains. Your meal “is going to take more than just half an hour and they’re not going to be rushing things to you.”

Service also looks different in France, Guenette says.

“The waiter will not be regularly coming over to your table” to ask how everything is. “You have to very much make eye contact or signal to them to let them know you want them to come to you,” she says.

And France’s tipping culture reflects that. Tips are appreciated, but generally not expected.

“There’s no additional motivation for them to win you over,” Guenette says. “They expect to be treated like a person, and they’re going to treat you like a person.”

If you have the time for a sitdown meal, Guenette highly recommends eating at one of Paris’ iconic sidewalk cafés. Unless a table has a reserved sign or already has cutlery on it, in most cases you can seat yourself. Otherwise, you’ll want to walk inside and ask the staff for a table, Guennette says.

“And yes, you do sit next to each other,” she explains. As opposed to being seated across the table from your companion, this way, everyone can face the street and participate in another quintessentially Parisian pastime: people-watching.

“That is something I always recommend when people go to France: Just sit and relax,” she says. “Even if you don’t have that much time, take an hour because that is the true French experience.”

But during the Olympics, securing a coveted reservation is likely to be a bit more complicated. Since the crowds of tourists will be even bigger than usual this summer, Marie de Tilly recommends booking a table in advance if there’s a specific restaurant or rooftop bar you’re hoping to visit. De Tilly also notes that mealtimes are another area where France diverges from the US: Dinner service usually doesn’t start until 7 p.m.

Table manners

As an etiquette coach, observing other people is a big part of de Tilly’s job – and there’s one trend that seriously concerns her.

“I’m very surprised to see young foreigners that don’t know how to use a fork and a knife,” she says. “When you go to a nice restaurant in Paris, it’s awful to see that.”

It’s important to have basic knowledge of the local culture and its traditions, de Tilly says – like the fact that foods you might be used to eating with your hands, such as hamburgers and pizza, are commonly eaten with a fork and knife in France.

If you don’t want to attract unwanted attention in a restaurant, there are a few more things you can try to blend in.

First, keep the volume down.

“Every country you go to will have a different standard of volume for conversation,” Guenette says. “France is definitely on the lower end.”

If you speak too loudly in a public place, whether a restaurant, a museum or the Metro, “you will get looks,” she says.

Guenette learned this the hard way years ago, when she was at a particularly boisterous dinner with fellow teachers from the US and the UK.

“I was embarrassed,” Guenette says. “I am in somebody else’s ‘house,’ somebody else’s culture, and there are things I can do to show respect for the fact that this does not belong to me.”

One more way to show your respect: If you’re wearing a hat, take it off before you go inside, Guenette says.

“Historically America used to be like this, too, but times have changed,” she points out.

Polite company

Expressing curiosity is a simple way to show your appreciation for the culture of the country you’re visiting, especially as a first-time visitor, Marie de Tilly says.

“It’s very important to ask some questions … to show respect and show your interest,” de Tilly says. “What is very important and elegant is to ask people, what are the traditions?”

So, even if you have a fully planned itinerary for your trip or have an idea of which wine you want to order with dinner, don’t be afraid to ask locals for their advice. You might end up discovering a museum off the beaten path or a new favorite wine pairing.

Personal questions, however, are frowned upon – even ones that might seem standard in your home country.

“If you are around my table for example [and] we are invited to the same dinner, I will not ask for the first time, ‘Are you married? Do you have children?’” de Tilly says.

Similarly, you won’t want to go right in for the classic cheek kiss, or bises, if you’re just meeting someone for the first time, Guenette says. That’s reserved for friends and friends of friends. If you don’t know someone personally, say “Enchanté” (Nice to meet you) and introduce yourself.

“Definitely don’t go to a restaurant and do the bises to your waiter,” she says. “That would be very inappropriate.”

Also inappropriate? Discussing politics at the dinner table – especially after the country’s recent elections.

“It’s really touchy because there’s two extremes, the right and the left,” de Tilly says.

Blending in

If you don’t want to stick out, here are a few more things to keep in mind.

When you’re taking the Metro to get around the city, hold onto your ticket as proof of purchase until you’ve exited the Metro station at your destination, Guenette says. If you lose it, you may be on the hook for a big fine. According to the official website for public transport in Paris, getting caught without your Metro ticket could cost you up to 100 euros ($109) on top of what you already paid in the first place.

If you want to make things a bit easier on yourself, Metro passes are also available for purchase and may save you some money.

Next, eating on the go isn’t widely accepted.

“You’ll stick out,” Guennette says.

So if you decide to buy a homemade sandwich from a food stall in one of Paris’ covered markets, resist the temptation to dig in while walking to your next destination. Instead, find a spot to sit down away from the city’s bustling sidewalks – for example, a bench in the quiet Square du Temple – Elie Wiesel, the rolling hills of the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, or the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin.

The same goes for lugging around a big water bottle.

“It’s not common,” Guenette says. “And it’s usually tourists” who do it.

But standing out doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing, Guenette says.

“Do whatever you want, just be aware that if you do this thing, people will know that you’re a tourist,” she says. “And sometimes, who cares?”

Fact vs. fiction: Are the French actually rude?

Born into one of the oldest families in French aristocracy, de Tilly is an expert on savoir-vivre, or good manners. By her own definition, that means understanding how to coexist with people around you, no matter how different or similar you may be – and she’s made it her mission to teach foreigners and the French alike how to do just that.

Etiquette, however, is about much more than “please” and “thank you” in de Tilly’s eyes. One of her areas of expertise is training employees of luxury brands on how to receive customers in their stores.

“When you come for the first time into Chanel, even if you don’t have money… you have the right to a good welcome,” she says.

“We said it could be awful for traffic,” she says. “I’m living in the center of Paris, and you can’t imagine the mess.”

But now, she says Parisians see that their city is ready for its moment on the world stage. She’s even looking for tickets herself.

“I hope with all my heart that it will be a success,” she says. “We need it now because the mindset for French people is very difficult because of all the politics.”

In Guenette’s experience, the stereotype of the rude Parisian is an exaggeration.

“A lot of it comes down to not having a common societal understanding of the politeness expectations,” she says. “If you are able to go into these situations understanding what their expectations are, people are much more willing to engage with you.”

She points out that most people don’t take kindly to rudeness, no matter where you’re from.

“If they feel like you’re being rude to them, it makes sense that they are then going to kind of reciprocate that,” she says.

Ultimately, de Tilly says, French people are proud of their culture – and that pride can sometimes be taken for arrogance.

“French people love their way of life,” she says. “And I think it’s so important that people come to France to see that.”

The 23-year-old point guard has recently returned to her home city after almost six years in the United States, where she enjoyed a successful college career on a full scholarship from Idaho State University, later transferring to UC Irvine and helping them reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1995.

Konate came up as a rising star with the French national youth team, winning medals including silver in 3×3 basketball at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympics – an experience she describes as the “best memory” of her career and something she dreamed of recreating at the Paris Olympic Games.

But she has mixed feelings about being back home – because she’s banned from competing in France.

The reason?

She wears a hijab.​​​​​​​

Last year, when Konate came home for the summer break to play a 3×3 tournament, she discovered she wasn’t allowed to step on court – due to a rule change made by the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) in 2022 which expressly bans any kit “with a religious or political connotation”.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” she says, initially thinking “it was a prank”.

“It cannot happen to me. I thought we were family. Like, it’s me guys – we used to play together, I’m part of you. I’m still the same person, nothing has changed.

“That really broke my heart.”

It was in the US during the height of the Covid pandemic that Konate chose to start wearing the hijab.

“For the last three years it’s really been my essence and something that’s a part of me,” she says.

“I went through a hard time and needed something that would give me hope. I reflected on myself and my identity when everything was uncertain and I was feeling lonely. I was born Muslim so I wanted to learn more about my religion and eventually I found the answers to all of my questions.

“It’s very hypocritical for France to call itself the country of freedom, of human rights, but at the same time not allowing Muslims or their citizens to show who they are.”

‘I was humiliated in front of everyone’

Image caption: Salimata Sylla had played wearing a hijab for three years until the ban

Stories like Konate’s have become familiar in all levels of basketball which fall under FFBB governance, meaning hijab-wearing ballers are facing restricted access to training and competition opportunities – and even feeling an impact on their social wellbeing.

In a community basketball court in the 19th district of Paris, Salimata Sylla is hosting one of her ‘Ball.Her’ sessions – which she describes as a “safe space” for all women and girls interested in sport – regardless of whether they wear the hijab. Since she started running them around Paris last year, as many as 60 women and girls have attended at a time.

“I’m in front of you today because of basketball,” says Sylla.

“Basketball means everything to me. It’s not just a word; it saved my life. I lived in a neighbourhood where there were drugs. Basketball helped me to be a better person, to have discipline in my life and become the best version of myself.”

Sylla was on the French league team Aubervilliers, but she hasn’t played with them for over a year.

In January 2023, moments before she was due to captain Aubervilliers as a point guard, Sylla’s coach had to break the news that the referee would only allow her on the court if she removed her sports hijab.

As a Muslim woman who had played whilst wearing the hijab for three years up until that point, it wasn’t even an option for her.

She recalls telling the match official: “You see me like this, and you’re not going to see me any other way.”

“I was humiliated in front of everyone,” Sylla says. “This is the country where I was born and that day they just put me on the side.”

After a three-hour journey from Paris to the north of France, Sylla sat on the bench and watched the team play without her.

Sylla is keen to challenge “ignorant” mindsets, saying: “They think if you wear the hijab, you’re just in the kitchen and doing nothing with your life.

“But I’m the example: I’m not just a Muslim, I’m not just a woman wearing the hijab – I’m an entrepreneur, I work in marketing, I have a masters degree, and I play basketball as well – so why are they putting me on the side?”

‘We will never have a role model if this rule stays’

IMAGE SOURCE: BASKET POUR TOUTES

Image caption: Helene Ba, co-founder of Basket Pour Toutes (Basketball For All), believes the policy is a “catastrophe for French sport”

Over the three years since France’s controversial “Islamist separatism” law was passed, it has gradually permeated aspects of French society, including competitive sports.

The rule applies not only to players but also to coaches and referees – officially excluding anyone wearing a sports hijab from the competitive space altogether.

This has been the case for years at all levels under the French Football Federation (FFF), despite Fifa lifting its religious headgear global ban a decade ago. Basketball’s world governing body Fiba also lifted its ban in 2017.

Both international rule changes were a breakthrough after years of campaigning led by Muslim sportswomen.

But as the Paris Olympics make history as the first to achieve numerical gender parity on the field of play, Muslim French women and girls continue to face barriers on their home turf – which campaigners like Amnesty International say is a “violation of their human rights” with a “devastating impact”.

“It’s a catastrophe for French sport – for women’s sport,” says Helene Ba, who after experiencing a similarly traumatic experience to Sylla at grassroots level co-founded Basket Pour Toutes (Basketball For All).

It is a collective dedicated to tackling discrimination in basketball through activism and events.

“I don’t necessarily agree with the word ‘choice’,” Ba says, considering the situation facing Muslim female players.

“It makes it seem like it’s equitable or fair, which it isn’t. They don’t want us to choose, they just want us to forget about our identity and convictions, so it didn’t feel like a choice.

“I will never compromise my beliefs or my values, especially because I know that this is an unfair rule.”

In September last year, the French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera confirmed that the hijab was banned for all the French team at the Olympics, under France’s principles of secularism – laicite. The ruling was criticised by the UN human rights office and the International Olympic Committee subsequently confirmed that hijabs were allowed inside the athletes’ village.

In April, Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet told BBC Sports Editor Dan Roan that it was “up to the countries, the delegations and the National Olympic Committees to decide for the athletes – if they want other rules in place or not” maintaining there is “nothing illegal by the French delegation – it’s their decision”.

Most often translated as secularism in English, laicite does not stipulate that France’s people should drop any religious customs or symbols, but, instead, that state and public institutions should be expressly free of them.

This concept – central to France’s identity – stems from the law of 1905, which sealed the separation of the church and state. But human rights groups have criticised the manner in which it is being interpreted for the France of today.

Ba, who also specialises in human rights and humanitarian law, says that laicite is “highly misunderstood” and “does not prevail over human rights”.

“It’s been instrumentalised to erase all differences and more specifically the Muslim identity – especially women who wear the hijab,” Ba says.

“Some of us are becoming activists because of this rule, but what I also want to emphasise is most of us are left without anything – especially younger Muslim women because they don’t know why they’re being excluded. They don’t have any other alternative so some of them just stop playing sport altogether.

“Once a rule targets a minority group and creates discrimination and infringes on people’s rights, it should be everyone’s concern. And so today it’s us – but tomorrow it may be you.

“We grew up without any role models and we will never have – if these rules stay in place – a French hijabi athlete representing the national team.”

‘Games would have been cherry on top of my career’

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES

Image caption: Olympic basketball will be watched by millions during the Paris Games

Meanwhile, Konate is still deciding on whether to pursue her sport. But at these Olympic Games, she will never know what may have been.

“I’m focusing on myself to accept what’s happening,” she says. “I really feel like I’ve had an amazing career – especially playing with the French national team. I think it’s the dream of every athlete – to represent their country.

“It would have been the cherry on top.”

She too has joined Basket Pour Toutes to advocate publicly for hijab-wearing athletes, but with mixed feelings.

“For me, it’s ridiculous. I shouldn’t have to do this; we shouldn’t have to do this,” Konate says.

“It is just very heartbreaking for me to have to fight for that – I’m doing it and I will keep doing it, but it’s just sad because there are more important issues that we should be focusing on than Muslim women wearing the hijab on the court.”

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is facing sanctions from the Premier League club after posting a video on social media that the French Football Federation said included alleged “racist and discriminatory language”.

World governing body Fifa is also investigating the video, in which several members of the Argentina squad – celebrating their 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America final – take part in a song originally sung by Argentina fans questioning the heritage of France’s black and mixed-race players.

Fernandez has since issued an apology on social media.

Lloris, France’s most capped player and their captain when they won the 2018 World Cup, said he was shocked by the behaviour.

“It doesn’t matter if you are in a moment of euphoria because you have won an important trophy,” he said. “It demands even more responsibility when you are a winner.

“You don’t want to hear or see this kind of thing in football. We all stand against discrimination and racism.

“I just think and hope it is a mistake. We all make mistakes sometimes and hopefully, they will learn from it.”

Former Tottenham captain Lloris, 37, signed for Major League Soccer outfit Los Angeles FC in December and was in the United States as Argentina won the Copa America in Miami.

He was on the losing side in the 2022 World Cup final as France lost on penalties to Argentina.

“They [Argentina] are the face of football right now, in South America, in the world. They deserve a lot of credit for what they have done on the field for the last four or five years,” Lloris said.

“But when you win, you are an example for others, especially kids.

“It was a proper attack about the French people, especially for the French people who have some African origin and family.”

Mascherano defends Fernandez

Former Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano defended Fernandez and said “everything has been taken out of context”.

In an interview with Ole, Mascherano, who won 147 caps, said: “If there is something that we Argentines are not, it is racists, far from it.

“If there is something that we are as a country, it is totally inclusive. In Argentina, people from all over the world live and we treat them as they should be treated.”

Fernandez has been unfollowed on Instagram by Chelsea team-mates Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, David Datro Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto.

Former Liverpool, West Ham and Barcelona player Mascherano, who is now Argentina Under-23s manager, said: “I know Enzo. He’s a great guy and he has no problem with that.

“You have to understand the culture of each country and know that sometimes what we perceive as a joke can be misinterpreted in other places.”

Victoria Villarruel, the vice-president of Argentina, launched a staunch defence, of her country on social media and said: “No country will intimidate us.”

Giroud had already confirmed he would retire from international football after the tournament in Germany, where France underwhelmed en route to the semi-finals before losing to eventual champions Spain.

The striker – who has agreed to join MLS outfit Los Angeles FC after leaving Milan – only played 59 minutes in four appearances at Euro 2024, all of them as a substitute.

He scored 57 goals in 137 appearances for Les Bleus, putting him clear of Thierry Henry (51) and Kylian Mbappe (48) in his country’s all-time scoring charts.

In a statement posted to X on Monday, exactly six years after he helped France win the 2018 World Cup, Giroud wrote: “The dreaded moment has arrived: that of saying goodbye to the France team.

“What a pride to wear this blue jersey and to represent France. By joining this team, I found a second family with the players and the staff.

“We have always supported each other, we have experienced joy and disappointment, victories and defeats, laughter and tears but were always united and supportive.

“My career with the France team has not always been a smooth ride. I doubted sometimes, I also suffered from criticism but deep down, I never stopped believing.

“From now on, I become the number one supporter of Les Bleus. This France team that I served for 13 years will remain forever engraved in my heart. It is my greatest pride and my most beautiful memory.”

France had struggled to live up to their tag as pre-tournament favourites in Germany but still ground their way through to the last four, only to come unstuck in Munich.

Randal Kolo Muani gave them an early lead with Les Bleus’ first non-penalty goal (excluding own goals) of the tournament, but Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo netted – the former becoming the youngest goalscorer in World Cup or Euros history – in a quickfire turnaround.

France were unable to force an equaliser in the second half as they lost a major tournament semi-final for the first time since Euro 1996, with Mbappe wasting one good opportunity late on.

Mbappe ended the tournament with no non-penalty goals from 23 such shots. Since records began in 1980, only Deco in 2004 (24) has ever had more non-penalty shots without netting at a single edition of the European Championships.

Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the defeat, Mbappe said: “They played a better game than us. We conceded two goals quickly and in the second half we had chances to come back but we didn’t take them.

“The competition was a failure. I wanted us to be European champions and we’re not. That’s football.”

Having suffered a broken nose during France’s Group D opener against Austria last month, Mbappe was asked whether his condition had impacted his form.

The forward – who will link up with his new Real Madrid team-mates in the coming weeks – refused to blame the injury for his lack of goals, saying: “We have to move on.

“It’s been a long year, I’m going to go on vacation to rest, it’s going to do me a lot of good. We mustn’t complicate football too much.

“You’re good or you’re not good. I wasn’t good and we’re going home, it’s simple. I have to rest. After that, I’m leaving for a new life.”

Mbappe played the semi-final without the protective mask he wore for France’s last three games, which Didier Deschamps previously said was impacting his vision.

Asked about the decision to abandon the mask, Mbappe said: “We made the choice before the match.

“I was fed up with the mask. I asked the doctor if I could play without it, and he told me to do what I want.”

Didier Deschamps’ side took the early lead when Randal Kolo Muani headed in Kylian Mbappe’s clipped cross to score France’s first goal from open play after more than nine hours of football in Germany.

In a stunning turnaround, 16-year-old Yamal became the youngest goalscorer in Euros history when he curled an emphatic effort into the top left-hand corner from 25 yards out.

Four minutes later, Dani Olmo thundered an effort towards the France goal which beat Mike Maignan and could not be stopped by Jules Kounde, who turned the ball into the net. After some controversy, Olmo was later officially awarded the goal which made him the tournament’s joint-leading goalscorer with three.

France had the best of the chances in the second half, as Theo Hernandez and Mbappe both blasted shots over the bar from inside the box.

Spain held on to reach their fifth Euros final, and will play either England or the Netherlands – who face off in the second semi-final on Wednesday – in Sunday’s final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

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Match background

Spain’s path to the final four has seen them top Group B with a perfect record ahead of Italy, Croatia and Albania, before ending the fairytale run of Georgia with an emphatic 4-1 triumph in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals, La Furia Roja came up against a talented and determined Germany, but ultimately, they overcame the tournament hosts 2-1 after extra time – with Mikel Merino netting in the 119th minute to decide a great match. Luis de la Fuente’s side has played with a cohesion, aggression and control that has been a cut above any other team at the tournament thus far.

France, for all their incredible talent, have played well within themselves through the tournament and have relied on a water-tight defence to see them through. Les Bleus were second in Group D behind Austria and then squeezed past Belgium 1-0 in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals they came up against an equally resilient Portugal and the match inevitably went to penalties, with Didier Deschamps’s side advancing 5-3. Yet the fact that they have scored just three goals thus far – two of them own goals and one a penalty – suggests that France have not yet moved out of second gear.

What the teams are saying

“My players are insatiable. I’m proud to coach players like this. I’ve known many of them for many years. They’re used to competing at the highest level and they have an opportunity to win [the tournament]. This team are always going to compete. There’s always room for improvement, of course, but we can’t question their pride, quality, and commitment,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.

“We’re in the semifinals and it’s something we shouldn’t take for granted, even if we may be used to it recently. I was already enjoying being in the quarterfinals. Now we go to win it,” said France coach Didier Deschamps.

Players to watch.

Nico Williams – Alongside his fellow winger on the opposite flank, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams has provided Spain with an incredible attacking thrust. His pace, movement, and ability to both create and finish scoring opportunities will be a feature of this match.

William Saliba – With France’s attack misfiring throughout the tournament, they have had to rely on the excellence of their defence… and no one has exemplified this better than William Salibia, whose positioning, composure, and determination have been beyond reproach.

Head-to-head

In head-to-head terms, Spain and France have met in 36 matches dating back as far as 1922. La Furia Roja have claimed 16 wins compared to 13 for Les Bleus, while seven games have been drawn.

The teams last met in the UEFA Nations League final in October 2021, with France winning 2-1 in Milan thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe.

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UEFA Euro 2024 broadcast details

All times CAT

Tuesday 9 July

21:00: Spain v France – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 1, SuperSport Maximo 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Les Bleus have been criticised by some for a lack of entertainment in their matches, with BBC pundit and former Premier League striker Chris Sutton last week saying he would “close the curtains” if they were playing in his back garden.

It comes after France have reached the last four of the tournament in Germany with none of their players scoring a goal from open play.

Their three goals at the Euros have been two own goals and a penalty scored by Kylian Mbappe in the 1-1 draw with Poland in the group stage.

In Monday’s pre-match news conference, Deschamps was asked about playing “boring football” by one journalist, to which he responded: “If you are bored, watch another game – you don’t have to watch us, it’s fine.

“Maybe it’s not the same as it was in the past, but we do have the capability to spark emotions and make lots of French men and women happy with our results, especially after a difficult period in our country.”

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente dismissed the suggestion that France are boring, saying at this stage it is all about the result.

“We all try to build a gameplan that will help you win,” he said.

“Spain are an eye-catching team, I won’t deny that, it’s our DNA, but in the end, here it’s about winning. We want to play, but we want to be practical.

“Our way to get the result is to try to be eye-catching. But at this stage it’s the result that counts because it is how your job will get judged and evaluated in the end.”

Mbappe ‘in the right headspace’ despite poor form

Key to France’s lack of goals has been the disappointing form of forwards Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

Mbappe has struggled since having to wear a mask after breaking his nose during France’s opening 1-0 win against Austria.

The striker, who this summer joined Real Madrid from Paris St-Germain, scored eight of France’s 16 goals at the World Cup in Qatar two years ago as they reached the final, where they were beaten by Argentina.

Despite just scoring one goal so far in Germany, France captain Mbappe is likely to start against Spain.

“We are convinced Kylian is in the right headspace, as are all of our players,” Deschamps added.

“He had an issue with his back, took a blow to the nose – it could have been the end of the road for him but he’s still here.

“His field of vision is changed and it was a huge shock to him but I’m convinced he will do everything he can [against Spain].”

Atletico Madrid striker Griezmann has yet to score, but team-mate Adrien Rabiot says all the players are right behind him.

“I think everyone is surprised because we know what Antoine is capable of,” Rabiot said.

“We saw what he pulled out of the bag at the World Cup, where he was at the peak of his powers as a player.

“I don’t know the reason. We have high expectations when it comes to Antoine and we expect a lot because he’s capable.

“If someone’s having a rough patch then we’re here to support them, but obviously it’d be better if we had the Kylian and the Antoine [we know] playing here at the Euros.”

Spain looking to keep strong run going

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES

Image caption: Spain are the highest scorers at Euro 2024 with 11 goals in five games

By contrast, Spain have been in excellent form at Euro 2024, winning all five games and scoring the most goals with 11.

They also have two of the most exciting youngsters at the tournament in Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

But despite their impressive results, Spain were pushed by hosts Germany in the quarter-finals, before Mikel Merino’s 119th-minute header sealed a 2-1 win.

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has been particularly impressive for Spain at this European Championship, and he will be key to ensuring France’s forward line are frustrated once again.

“We are a group of players that give everything for our team-mates and that’s one of the secrets,” Cucurella said.

“I think we have created a great group. We have a mix of veterans and very young players and that makes it all very enjoyable. The key is to be like a family.

“We may not have superstars, but as a team we are good, we are doing well and I hope we keep it that way.”

Theo Hernandez scored the winning penalty after substitute Joao Felix hit the outside of the post with his effort, the only miss.

Players sprinted over to the other end of the pitch to celebrate with fans afterwards, while Portugal, who had overcome Slovenia via a shootout five days ago, were left feeling deflated while they applauded their supporters.

It marks the end of an era for Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who confirmed this week it would be his final Euros.

Before the match, all eyes had been on a showdown between 39-year-old Ronaldo and France’s Kylian Mbappe but both failed to have an impact, though the Portugal striker did put away his spot-kick.

Mbappe had to be substituted in extra time after an earlier whack to his face, covered with a mask due to a broken nose, so he was unable to take part in the shootout.

It had been a cagey match with relatively few chances though Portugal had the best of them.

Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha were both denied by goalkeeper Mike Maignan before France’s Randal Kolo Muani had a shot deflected inches wide by Ruben Dias.

Moments later, Eduardo Camavinga should have put France ahead when he dragged an effort beyond the far post from close range.

But extra time was needed and when the moment came, Portugal’s talisman Ronaldo stabbed a cutback from Francisco Conceicao way over the bar, to the astonishment of fans behind the goal and their luck ran out after a second shootout in consecutive games.

It means France will now face Spain in the semi-finals in Munich on Tuesday (20:00 BST kick-off).

Frenchman Mbappe, 25, signed for Real Madrid this summer – a club where Ronaldo won four successive Champions League titles.

The two will go head-to-head in Hamburg on Friday (kick-off 20:00 BST) and Mbappe describes it as “a pleasure” to face Portugal’s five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“It’s the admiration I’ve always had for Cristiano, for the player. Over time, I’ve had the chance to get to know him and talk to him many times. We’re still in touch,” said Mbappe.

“He’s always trying to give me advice and keep up to date with what’s going on. Playing against him is an honour for everything he’s done in football.

“No matter what happened before or what happens after, he’ll always be a legend of the game. But of course we hope to win and reach the semi-finals.”

Ronaldo, 39, said this week it would be his last Euros so this showdown with Mbappe is being described as a “handover” between two great players.

But Mbappe says the Portugal legend is “unique” and he will follow his own path when he begins his stint with Madrid.

“There will only be one [Ronaldo] I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to start living my dream as a player in Madrid,” he added.

“I hope I’ll write a great story there, but I’m certainly not going there to write the rest of Cristiano’s story. What he did in Madrid is unique.

“You have to appreciate what he has been, what he is. I’ve never been an envious person, so I just want to admire the greatness of the player.

“He left his mark on the history of football. He inspired generations. He has scored many goals and won many titles. So his CV speaks for itself.”

‘It’s not about Mbappe v Ronaldo’

Manchester City and Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva played with Mbappe at Monaco and said he always “stood out from the crowd”.

“Kylian is a wonderful player and started with us at AS Monaco when he was 16. I remember after his first week we would say ‘who’s this kid?'” added Silva.

“I am so delighted for him that he was able to have a wonderful career. I wish him the best but not [against us] obviously. I want us to qualify.”

But Silva would not be drawn on comparisons between Mbappe and Ronaldo.

“It’s not about Kylian and Cristiano – it’s about Portugal and France. They are both two unbelievable players,” said Silva.

“Cristiano is one of the best to ever play the game. Kylian is still going through the beginning or middle of his career. But it’s not about them. As Portugal, we want to go through and qualify for the semi-finals.”

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has faced criticism for his team selection and their performance so far in the tournament.

They needed extra time and a penalty shootout to overcome Slovenia in their last-16 tie on Monday.

“Criticism is part of the job description. Criticism shows how passionate people are about the national team and I accept that,” said Martinez.

“I believe we have very important players and a very competitive dressing room. I see them every day in training so can make decisions.

“In the qualifying campaign, we won 10 matches and I was criticised. I’m not focused on myself. My job is to help our players perform as best we can and that’s what I promise all fans.”

France and Portugal face-off in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. While multiple world-class players will be in action for both sides, it is hard to escape this being a gladiatorial duel between Ronaldo and Mbappe.

This is not the first time the two icons have shared a pitch. They met in the 2017-18 Champions League last 16, when Real Madrid comfortably beat Mbappe’s PSG 5-2 on aggregate – on Ronaldo’s way to a fourth and final Champions League trophy in Spain.

Mbappe was yet to break into the senior France squad when they were beaten by Ronaldo’s Portugal in the Euro 2016 final, while Ronaldo scored twice in a 2-2 draw in the group stages to help Portugal reach the knockouts at Euro 2020.

This game in Hamburg has a totally different context to the Champions League meeting six years ago. Back then, Mbappe was a 19-year-old on loan from Monaco – full of potential and the subject of hype, but far from the finished product.

Now he is 25, widely regarded as the world’s best player and the man on whose slim shoulders France’s hopes of a first European title since 2000 rest – at times in this tournament quite uneasily.

Mbappe will this summer move to Real Madrid, where he is expected to be the main man. The focal point and grand attraction. That was the role served by Ronaldo in his prime.

Six years on, Ronaldo – away from playing his club football in Saudi Arabia – is still a focal point who grabs attention.

The 39-year-old’s role in the Portugal team is the subject of great discussion after a last-16 display against Slovenia summarised by wayward free-kicks, a saved penalty and floods of tears.

Yet Ronaldo can still deliver when it counts, tucking away his spot-kick in the shootout – though it was goalkeeper Diogo Costa who took the spotlight with three successive saves.

Can Mbappe surpass Ronaldo in Madrid?

So that’s the plot to the showdown under the Friday night lights. A former Real Madrid legend against someone who hopes to achieve that status.

If this was a Hollywood script, the likely narrative would have this as the moment where the baton is passed, France beat Portugal and Mbappe fully assumes Ronaldo’s former mantle.

But football does not work to schedule, as Ronaldo knows. When he was 25, Portugal were dumped out in the last 16 at the 2010 World Cup by eventual winners Spain – and he would have to wait another six years to get his hands on an international trophy.

By 2010, Ronaldo had won three Premier League trophies, a Champions League and his first of five Ballons D’Or. Up against Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona side, his Real Madrid gold rush had yet to begin.

Mbappe in comparison has seven Ligue 1 titles, albeit six of them in a PSG side with vastly greater resources than their competitors in France, and no Champions League trophy yet.

He does, however, have something it looks increasingly like Ronaldo shall never possess – a World Cup winner’s medal, collected in 2018 aged just 19.

So might Mbappe surpass Ronaldo at Madrid if he follows a similar path? It seems likely. Barcelona are a reduced force compared to the one Ronaldo encountered in his early days. There is no Lionel Messi nor Guardiola.

Real Madrid are reigning champions both domestically and continentally, and will only be strengthened by Mbappe’s arrival.

Ronaldo scored 33 goals in 35 games during his first season at Madrid – a tally Mbappe surpassed in five of his seven campaigns at PSG, and which seems eminently reachable in 2024-25.

Mbappe has scored 287 goals in his club career to this point, while Ronaldo netted just 118 before joining Madrid. While Mbappe has sometimes played centrally for PSG, both men primarily occupied wide areas in their pre-Bernabeu days.

After below-par tournaments, a time to shine

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES

Image caption: Mbappe and France squeezed into the quarter-finals thanks to a late own goal against Belgium

Off the pitch, Mbappe has some catching up to do. Ronaldo remains an icon in Madrid, has a hotel bearing the CR7 branding in the city, attracts more than half a billion followers across his social media accounts and even has a galaxy named after him.

But Mbappe, having been the star attraction and huge selling point of PSG during his time there, will be placed on a similar pedestal once he arrives in Madrid.

Before all those bells, whistles and social media debates, the small matter of a Euro 2024 quarter-final.

Neither man has set the tournament alight so far. Mbappe looks hampered by a range of issues – including a broken nose from the opening game against Austria and having to play in the discomfort and distraction of a protective mask.

France’s style of play, as evidenced by their lacklustre last-16 win over Belgium, is characterised by stodginess and a need for everything promising in attack to go through Mbappe. When he is crowded out or out of form, the system does not work – leading to the pre-tournament favourites failing to score from open play in four matches in Germany.

Questions of Ronaldo, meanwhile, focus around whether he should even start after two below-par, goalless showings against relative minnows Georgia and Slovenia, where at times the bright attacking talent Portugal possess seemed actively hampered by the presence of a man more than a decade older than his team-mates.

Will such a grand occasion as this quarter-final bring the best out of one or both of these men? We wait with baited breath.

If it is Mbappe who comes out on top, the journey from doe-eyed child admiring posters of Ronaldo to being the sport’s undisputed poster boy will surely be complete.

DJ Mensah made this statement in an interview on Asaase Radio while he was detailing some activities lined up for him in the year.

“With me and Sarkodie, we have some few shows. We haven’t announced it yet but we are playing at the Olympics opening somewhere in August and also there is an event that we have to attend in the US. And I have another show Ghana Fest in Canada which is just like Ghana Party in the Park,” he said.

Meanwhile, DJ Mensah has posted on X that Sarkodie’s performance will not happen during the opening ceremony like he said in the interview but at an event that will be held during the period.

“Let me clarify this before I’m misinterpreted: There “MIGHT” be an event in Paris around the same time the Olympics is happening, but it’s *NOT” during the opening ceremony. This is to provide more clarification on what is circulating,” he wrote.

The opening ceremony of the Olympics is scheduled to take place on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France while closing ceremony is slated for August 11, 2024.

The proceedings for the opening ceremony of the Olympics will include an artistic programme showcasing the culture of the host country and city, the parade of athletes and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.

Sarkodie is one of Ghana’s topmost artistes with an international appeal and relevance.

Known for his electrifying stagecraft, Sarkodie’s performance at the Olympics will be etched in the annals of Ghanaian entertainment and pop culture history as a milestone in his career.

The ‘Highest’ rapper is one of the few Ghanaian rappers who keeps making a great impression on the global music stage.

His recent feature on the 2024 Hennessy Africa Cypher has brought some more lustre to his artistry and pedigree in the music industry.

A game that had lacked quality and excitement for large periods looked destined for extra time, but a shot by substitute Randal Kolo Muani deflected off Vertonghen with five minutes remaining to seal the victory at Dusseldorf Arena.

France had missed several chances before that as once again their lack of a cutting edge let them down, and even captain Kylian Mbappe put efforts he would normally finish wide.

Belgium could even have taken the lead themselves before France’s late goal as Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne charged into space through the middle, but his shot was pushed behind by Mike Maignan.

That had been the below-par Belgians only decent opportunity as France closed out the final few minutes to progress to the last eight, where they will face either Portugal or Slovenia.

The 25-year-old striker broke his nose in a collision during his side’s 1-0 win against Austria in their opening game of the tournament.

He missed the goalless draw with the Netherlands but returned and scored as France drew 1-1 with Poland.

Mbappe wore a protective mask in that game but said he found it uncomfortable.

“I didn’t think it would be, but playing with a mask is absolutely horrible,” Mbappe said before the Belgium game in Dusseldorf.

“I have changed [the mask] because every time there was something that wasn’t right.

“It is really difficult. It limits your vision and the sweat gets blocked up so you have to take it off to let it run away.

“As soon as I can take it off I will do, but I don’t have a choice. That is how my tournament is going to be. I can only play like that.

“It is really annoying, but I have to just say thanks to the mask.”

Mbappe’s goal against Poland was a penalty, meaning France are yet to score from open play at the tournament.

“It’s not the group matches anymore,” boss Didier Deschamps said. “It’s a new competition within the competition.

“You have to be efficient. To win matches, you have to score. That’s not done by snapping your fingers, but you need to move the cursor [closer to goal].”

These two sides met in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, with France winning 1-0 on their way to lifting the trophy.

Like Les Bleus, Belgium finished second in their group, drawing 0-0 with Ukraine to ensure progression.

Both sides are yet to click into gear, but Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco believes the chances they are creating means their luck will turn.

“The quality and quantity of chances we made in the first three games was unbelievable,” he said.

“It is unbelievable that we scored only two goals in three games, and France too, but this is football.”

Belgium were booed after the goalless draw with Ukraine, but midfielder Orel Mangala believes the fans will be behind them on Monday.

“I believe that has been cleared up,” he said.

“I can understand that [reaction]. We we were all frustrated. Now we are facing a new match and I hope that all the fans stand with us and we’ll play with a lot of imagination.”