Yannick Nyanga, who recently returned to the French rugby XV after a 5-year absence, shared his emotions regarding singing the Marseillaise before the match against Australia. Responding to comparisons made on social media between his tears during the national anthem and the expressions of certain footballers in similar situations, Nyanga expressed his thoughts on the matter.
He mentioned that such comparisons don’t inspire him at all and that it’s unwise to try to divide people based on such gestures. Nyanga emphasized his appreciation for all French teams and referred to the unity and celebration witnessed during the 1998 World Cup, where the focus was on celebrating victory rather than questioning who sang the anthem.
Nyanga acknowledged that emotions and expressions during national anthems are personal and shouldn’t be judged. He cited the example of Fabien Barthez, a former French footballer, who was seen smiling without any doubt about his love for France.
In summary, Nyanga emphasized the need to avoid passing judgment on how individuals express themselves during national anthems, stating that everyone experiences representing their country in their own way. He urged against fueling debates around such behaviors and stressed that a selection cannot be stolen, as those chosen to represent their country usually deserve to be there.
