Talented and elegant, Philippe Mexès has long embodied the rising generation which succeeded the heroes of France 1998. The former defender of AJ Auxerre was even compared to Laurent Blanc for his quality of recovery and his haughty bearing, but we must believe that this image of a prodigy was heavy to bear.
This is what Mexès confided in the Kampo podcast, returning to a very particular episode: the moment when Raymond Domenech announced the list of players failed for the 2006 World Cup, after having announced a first expanded list.
Philippe Mexès, former French international.
“I saw Samir’s (Nasri) documentary and I recognized a lot of myself in what he said. When I came to the French team, I wanted to come home. I didn’t want to go to the French team”blurted Philippe Mexès. “Already, in Espoirs, I didn’t want to go there when there was Raymond (Domenech, editor’s note).”
“I said I was in pain, I acted injured”
The former French international explained with great transparency the discomfort he felt within the France group.
“I didn't feel good in this team, I didn't have my place. I thought he took me because he had to take me, because people said: 'he's the future Laurent Blanc'. I didn't feel comfortable. There was never any conflict. It was the outside that denigrated our group a little. We all got along well. You are attacked because you are the generation after, because before there was Zidane, Henry, Trezeguet, Anelka…”.
When Domenech himself came to tell him the news, the former Auxerre player was relieved. A reaction which contrasted with the dismay of his teammates. “I said I was in pain, I acted injured. I wasn't well. When there was this story in Tignes, that he was knocking in the rooms, my door was open. Normally this must traumatize you but I was happy, I had nothing to do there. Lilian (Thuram) said to me: 'why did you leave the door open?'. The others were stressed, I knew he was coming, I wanted him to come. I didn’t feel well, I didn’t believe it…”. A testimony of rare sincerity in the world of football.
