A member of France's 2018 World Cup-winning squad has revealed that he came close to quitting football just a month before the tournament in Russia, according to a report published by French media. The player, whose identity is cited in the original report, described a period of deep doubt during which he considered walking away from the game entirely.
France went on to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup, defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final on 15 July 2018 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. It was the country's second World Cup title, following their victory on home soil in 1998.
The revelation adds a personal dimension to a squad that was widely praised for its unity and resilience during the tournament. Didier Deschamps, who managed the team to the title, has often spoken about the mental strength required to compete at the highest level.
Details of the player's comments remain limited to the original report. Further verification of the specific quotes and the player's identity was not possible at the time of publication.
