Dmitri Payet has become a French national hero in the space of a few weeks, and thoroughly deserves it for his work and attitude this year.
Manager Didier Deschamps had seem determined to not recall Payet to the national set-up, despite his brilliant West Ham form, and despite many in the country calling for it. The former Marseille manager even made a point of saying he wouldn’t be forced by pressure into picking Payet.
Deschamps seemed almost stubborn about the situation, and it would have been easy for Payet to say something he could regret. But he didn’t, and he finally got his chance, making the most of it and getting to where he is now.
However, he’s really not bothered about which country France face, explaining: “Whatever. inevitably there will be a quality opponent. I prefer to look at what we do.”
France will be favourites against whichever of the two teams they face, and the pressure for France to win the tournament is only growing.
