Patrick Vieira Defends Samir Nasri’s World Cup Omission
The exclusion of Samir Nasri from France’s World Cup squad continues to stir debate, with former French international Patrick Vieira adding his voice to the growing chorus of criticism. Vieira, who enjoyed a successful career with clubs like Arsenal and Manchester City, has expressed his belief that national team coach Didier Deschamps made a significant mistake by leaving the midfielder out of the 2022 World Cup.
Nasri, who has been in stellar form for Manchester City, has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season, earning widespread praise for his contributions on the field. With a string of goals and assists, many felt that the 32-year-old deserved a place in Deschamps’ squad. Vieira, a former teammate of Nasri’s at City, highlighted the player’s efforts and achievements, noting that his performances this year should have been enough to secure him a spot.
“If you want to win the World Cup, you have to select the best players,” Vieira said. “Samir has been fantastic this year. He did everything to go to the World Cup, whether it was scoring goals or providing assists.”
Vieira also addressed Nasri’s character, which has often been a subject of scrutiny over the years. Despite being known for his strong personality, Vieira defended the midfielder, insisting that Nasri had never caused any issues during his time at Manchester City. “He has personality, a strong personality, but he has never had a single problem at City,” Vieira added, suggesting that Nasri’s on-field talents far outweigh any perceived off-field controversies.
The decision not to include Nasri in the squad has sparked reactions from various corners of the football world, with many questioning whether Deschamps made the right call. Some have pointed to Nasri’s ability to create chances and influence games as an undeniable asset that could have bolstered France’s World Cup hopes.
As the debate continues, Vieira’s comments add further fuel to the ongoing discussions regarding the inclusion of certain players in the French national team. For now, Nasri’s World Cup dream appears to have come to an end, but the midfielder’s supporters, including Vieira, will continue to argue that his talent and commitment were deserving of a place on football’s grandest stage.
