The word has entered everyday language. “Seum”, this slang term from Arabic which means ” venom “,
has become the accepted expression to describe bitterness and frustration. And if this word has become so popular in France, it is largely because of one man: Thibaut Courtois. After the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup lost to the Blues, his statements on the “defensive” play of the France team went around the world and popularized the expression.
2018, the wound that does not heal for Thibaut Courtois
Seven years later, has he digested it? Obviously not. At a press conference before the crucial match against Wales, the Real Madrid goalkeeper was asked to compare his biggest disappointments in selection. And his answer is clear. Elimination against the Welsh at Euro 2016?
” Painful “. But the defeat against France in 2018? “It hurt more.”
This little sentence, dropped almost nonchalantly, says a lot. It shows that, despite the superficial excuses and the time that has passed, this defeat remains a raw wound. It was his best chance. golden generation » to win a major title, and she was wiped out by a Samuel Umtiti header.
A rivalry that continues
This stubborn resentment is not only that of a player, but of an entire nation. The “Belgian seum” has become a true cultural phenomenon, a meme that has gone beyond the simple framework of football. It is the symbol of a rivalry between two neighboring countries which took on a new dimension this evening in July 2018.
Today, Belgium is playing for its survival in qualifying for the next World Cup. And in such a crucial moment, seeing its emblematic goalkeeper still haunted by the ghosts of the past is a sure sign. France won the World Cup, but it also won a special place in the bitter memory of its Belgian neighbors. And obviously, for a very long time.
