Historic reception for France in Paris despite losing the World Cup (photos)
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Thousands of fans gathered in the center of the capital, Paris, to welcome the runner-up France, one day after losing to Argentina in the 2022 Qatar World Cup final.
Fans filled the Place de la Concorde in central Paris to welcome the players of the "Roosters" team, who moved directly from the airport after their arrival from Qatar.
Agence France-Presse correspondents said they appeared on the balcony of the Crillon Hotel, overlooking the square, amidst a warm welcome.
Despite the disappointment of the loss, the 24 French players, including striker Kylian Mbappe, whose hat-trick in the final failed to secure the title for France, appeared on the balcony to thunderous applause.
"Honestly, it's great, it's heart-warming," Marcus Thuram told TF1. "It gives me great pleasure to see that we have managed to make so many French people proud and happy."
He continued, "We wanted to see them when we came back from Doha because I think it is the minimum of thanks for their support. We knew before the match that we would be watched by millions of French people, and unfortunately we were not able to win, but they are certainly proud of us and this is the most important thing."
In turn, goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris stated that it was an opportunity "to welcome them (the fans), to thank them for their support and, after yesterday's pain, to seek their sympathy."
Fans were left without assurances all day as to whether the disappointed players would travel to central Paris to meet them.
The France national team's plane landed on Monday evening, one day after the dramatic loss in the final confrontation of the World Cup Qatar against Argentina, by penalty kicks, at Roissy Airport in the capital, Paris.
Dozens of buses parked on the stands of the Pavilion of Honor at Charles de Gaulle airport were waiting for the players, technical and administrative staff to take them to the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
None of the "roosters" players wanted to speak in front of a crowd of journalists on the runway, while Mbappe looked sad as he got off the plane.
- United family - "These moments you have to live as if they were the last, savor, enjoy ... It's just happiness anyway. We'll have a big hug and leave, we'll be able to enjoy," national team striker Olivier Giroud told TF1. Going on vacation, recharging the batteries because there's the second half of the season to play."
"But anyway, it always pains me to be parted from the men we spent time with, all of us, united as a family... For about a month and a half we were as a family as brothers and I hope that continues."
The French national team lost the final match against the Argentine national team 4-2 on penalties after the end of the regular and extra time with a draw 3-3 in an exciting and enthusiastic match.
Argentina's goals were scored by Lionel Messi (23 from a penalty kick and 108) and Angel Di Maria (36), while Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick for France (80 and 118 from two penalties and 81), raising his tally to eight goals as the top scorer.
The Argentine national team dominated the first 80 minutes of the match before Mbappe scored two quick goals that were enough to turn the tables on the South American team.
France wasted a historic opportunity to win the title for the second time in a row, after it was crowned in the World Cup in Russia 2018. And
the “TF1” channel stated that a historical record, with a total of 24.08 million people, watched the final match on Sunday on its screen.
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