The possible signature of Théo Hernandez in Saudi Arabia has sparked a real criticism in the French football landscape. The tricolor international, still in age of age, is accused by certain observers of sacrificing his sports career on the altar of easy money, like many other European stars seduced by the Eldorado of the Gulf. The debates are lively: is it mercenary or simply realistic in the face of the evolution of modern football? This Monday on RMC Sport, Christophe Dugarry went up to the niche to defend the former side of AC Milan, refusing to reduce it to a simple question of lure of gain.
The former 98 world champion first wanted to restore a certain truth about the “mercenary” label which now sticks to the skin of many players:
“I am shocked by the word mercenary. The players are anything but batteries, you have to stop hitting them. The players are not stupid, they adapted to what has become of football. »» For Dugarry, the football economy, undermined by the multiplication of investment funds and multi -ownerships, has changed the situation. “”
Money has become the key word. It is not to register in a project. We have created a money economy. And when there are 500 agents, you have to feed everyone. »»
Dugarry questions the system, not the players
Dugarry continues by emphasizing the responsibility of the system in the loss of meaning and pleasure:
“They removed the whole concept of pleasure and it reached the players. Who find themselves not wanting to refuse anymore and we don't even want them. »» For the former Bordeaux, it would be unfair to point only the finger at individual choices, while all European football is plagued by commodification and standardization of motivations.
Faced with him, Jérôme Rothen was much more severe during the same program:“If he wants to change air, I think there are European clubs ready to welcome him. The problem is the salary so it's just a matter of cash! The message for the new generation is terrible.»A point of view that reflects a certain nostalgia for“ before ”football, and which echoes part of public opinion.
Théo Hernandez, symbol of mutation football
But Dugarry's position is not surprising, he who himself completed his career in Qatar, long before it became a trend for European football stars. At the time, he had already assumed this choice without complex, considering that each player has the right to decide his trajectory, as long as he is in agreement with himself.
