Having returned to the national team as a four-time starter, Eric Abidal is emerging as a true leader among his peers. His absence from the squad was attributed to a liver problem, leading to a subsequent liver transplant for the former Barcelona player. Despite these challenges, Abidal acknowledges that the state of the French team remains unchanged, characterized by vagueness and uncertainty.
Recalling pivotal moments, Abidal referenced the World Cup final and the third group match against Togo. He highlighted the persistent criticism faced by the team, a phenomenon not new to them. Referring to the 2006 World Cup, he noted instances of criticism and observed that, even in 2013, similar challenges persisted. Abidal emphasized the resilience of the French team, asserting their ability to rise to the occasion when least expected.
Addressing recent struggles against supposedly weaker teams under Didier Deschamps, Abidal drew parallels with his experiences at Monaco. He cited instances where victories were secured, such as against Bastia and in Belarus, despite only delivering strong performances in one half. For Abidal, the key lies in the result, asserting that while having both performance and results is ideal, sometimes it’s not achievable. He concluded by stating that the genuine fans of the French team simply desire qualification for Brazil.
