France and Arsenal defender, Laurent Koscielny, has revealed that he didn’t always support France at the World Cup
The defender was on course to play at the World Cup before suffering a disastrous injury in the Semi Final match between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, an injury which ruled him out of the World Cup.
While Koscielny has now confirmed his retirement from international duty, the Arsenal man also claimed it was really hard for him sitting on the sidelines while his countrymen lifted the World Cup.
“The World Cup will remain a dark spot of my career,” Koscielny told Canal+.
“The injury was hard to accept. The result was even harder because they won the World Cup. I have a selfish side. I tell myself that I could have been part of the adventure and won the Cup. And I would have it in a corner of my head for the rest my life. It’s difficult and no one can put themself in my shoes.
READ: Why Arsenal Couldn’t Win Titles Under Wenger- Cazorla
“I was really happy for them, but also disgusted. You can not feel like a world champion, as the 60 million French could. It’s a strange feeling that during the tournament I wanted them to qualify, but at the same time I wanted them to lose. That was my feeling at the time.”
Koscielny also stated in the emotional interview that this was his first big injury and that the road to recovery had been a hard one, especially on the mental side of things
“It’s my first big injury, mentally you’re getting very strong, you’re learning a lot about football and life, I’ve worked every day at St-Raphael, and put my family aside,” he said.
“These are things in life, and you have to face all of that, during my rehabilitation, I was selfish, I only thought of myself, and I did not pay attention to my family.”
Koscielny, however, was quick to criticize coach Didier Deschamps and the coaching staff for how he had been treated since the injury
“Deschamps called me once [since the World Cup], during my birthday in September,” Koscielny said. “Lot of people disappointed me, and there are lots of other coaches. It feels like a slap on the face.”
“I think I gave what I could give to the French team.The national team has a very good generation with great players.
“My injury has not changed my decision: for the Blues it’s over for me. But I remain a supporter of the French team.”
Leave a Reply