From 8 p.m., they lined the Place de la Concorde in clouds, waiting for the French football team, which had lost on penalties the day before, in the final of the World Cup in Qatar against a formidable team of Argentina.
Blue white red flags waved to the rhythm of the Marseillaises intoned.
"For me France did not lose. She just did not win, because she went all the way and made us vibrate last night", defended Sandrine Djellas, 53, made up of red and blue.
"I had to be there, to thank our Blues for everything they have done so far", recognized this collective kitchen employee residing in Val-de-Marne (94).
"Getting together here with everyone is my way of giving them strength," smiled Cheick Touré, a 16-year-old high school student and football player from an early age.
In front of the illuminated Hôtel de Crillon, the crowd with wounded patriotic egos, but intact supporter souls, energetically stamped their feet, making the surrounding cobbled streets tremble.
The Blues greet their supporters from the balcony of the Hôtel de Crillon, December 19, 2022 © JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP
Further under the eyes of the Eiffel Tower, some were even perched on the heights of lampposts or traffic lights, in the hope of seeing even a hair of their idols.
Or at least those of Kylian Mbappé, monstrous in the final match and top scorer in the competition.
"See you in two years"
But many were disappointed not to see them closer, nor alas to see them express themselves: "Get down! Get down!" of the hotel.
Supporters massed Place de la Concorde for a communion with the Blues on the return from Doha, December 19, 2022 © Geoffroy Van der Hasselt / AFP
From up there, some players, Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann in the lead, launched a clapping rhythm taken up by the crowd, happy and proud to commune with its stars.
In the distance, the luckiest children had found the perfect place on the shoulders of their parents.
"I would like to say a big thank you to them, and see you in two years, at the Euro, because as Kyky (Mbappé) said, + we will come back +, and I believe in it", added Sandrine Djellas, revealing the stamped jersey of the N°10 of his favorite athlete Kylian Mbappé.
The star of the Blues Kylian Mbappé greets the massed supporters Place de la Concorde, December 19, 2022 © JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP
"Guys, it's okay, we're proud of you! You wore the jersey and you played like jackals!" Congratulated Cheick Touré, saying he was "sad" but arguing that "life goes on" .
Then the Concorde took on the air of a football stadium when fog horns, red smoke bombs and fireworks came to comfort the hearts of supporters and players.
In the heart of the crowd, Agathe Coffre, a 19-year-old Parisian student, did not lose hope of seeing France crowned a third time in the World Cup: "We will one day have this third star! In four years perhaps !"
© 2022 AFP
