The Parc des Princes witnessed a peaceful evening on a sporting level, but full of human emotions. Against Azerbaijan, the Blues rolled (3-0) without ever trembling. A logical, controlled success, but which will especially be remembered for an unexpected moment: the rebirth of Florian Thauvin. In a few minutes, the former Marseillais transformed an ordinary match into an extraordinary story, reminding everyone that football sometimes knows how to reward the most patient. Since his last match against Andorra in 2019, the striker seemed to have left the big stage. Returning to Ligue 1 this summer in Lens after a long detour through Mexico and Italy, he offered himself a second sporting life. Called by Didier Deschamps to compensate for the injury of Bradley Barcola, the Lensois had convinced neither certain observers nor the supporters.
And yet, Friday evening, everything changed. Entering in the 84th minute in place of Kylian Mbappé, Florian Thauvin was effective on his first real ball, a perfect sequence at the near post, concluded with a clear left shot. A few minutes later, an acrobatic return was able to complete the legend with this sumptuous goal: “Satisfied for him? Yes, on an individual level. A return, on one of his first balls. He has this skill in front of the goal that he has always had. It is mainly me who thanks him. We expect that from the players who come in, especially the offensive ones, to be decisive. Have we ever exchanged? He thanked me, but it's up to me to thank him because it's important that the players are decisive, we expect that from the starters. This is a very good thing», explained Didier Deschamps. But what stood out the most were the reactions. In the locker room, everyone stood up to congratulate him.
An “example to follow”
On social networks, messages of admiration poured in, coming from former partners, coaches, Marseille and Lensois supporters: “We were laughing a little together there just before, but it's always nice to see Flo score too with the whole group that pushed him. He is also there to help us with his equivalence, so very proud to play with this player. He was very happy too. I think it was important for him to score on his comeback too. We also heard that he had been whistled, so I think that motivated him. It's always good to see Flo mark his return, so very very happy for him», Detailed Malo Gusto in the mixed zone. Everyone had the same tone, that of newfound respect. Florian Thauvin, often criticized, brought everyone together for one evening. This goal, ultimately, goes beyond simple sporting performance. He talks about patience, doubts, injuries, and this intact desire to still believe in his place among the Blues.
“He's an example to follow, especially when we see him on a daily basis, we see that he's someone who works a lot, he's someone who comes to talk to young people, who asks us if we're okay. I had already played against him in Serie A last year and I had already seen the player he was, so I am not surprised to see him again at this level. Frankly, Kylian (Mbappé) scored a great individual goal. Afterwards, Thauvin's story is beautiful because he comes back, he puts a twist like that. Both goals are very beautiful, frankly. We are very happy for him. I think he must be very proud and we all know what a great player he is. We are really happy for him“, explained Khéphren Thuram. At 32, Thauvin will perhaps never find a central role in the selection, but he has won something rarer: the unanimous esteem of those who know what football requires to be reborn. And as the Park vibrated one last time before the final whistle, we understood that this return was not just a parenthesis, but a lesson in perseverance. A story that is both simple and beautiful.
