Despite her country’s best efforts, France captain Wendie Renard will not participate in this summer’s World Cup and has slammed the French football “system”.
Her 32-year-old counterpart, who has played 142 times for her nation, said she was taking a break from the squad “to safeguard my mental health”.
Management was a problem, according to Diani
Fellow players Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto afterwards declared their retirement from France.
Diani stated that the team’s “management” was a factor in the decision.
Renard, 27, and Diani, 27, both played for France during the international break in February, when they won the Tournoi de France on Tuesday.
The French Football Federation (FFF) responded to the players’ declarations by saying that no person is larger than the France squad.
Paris St-Germain striker Diani stated on Twitter: “After our captain’s press statement, and in light of recent results and the administration of the French squad, I have chosen to discontinue playing for my international tournament. I can concentrate on my club career.
Katoto, another Paris St-Germain striker sidelined with an injury since last summer also revealed her decision on social media.
Ada Hegerberg support
Ada Hegerberg, a Lyon teammate, also expressed her support for Renard, who had previously quit playing for Norway for 5 years in protest of what she considered a disrespectful environment for female players in her nation.
‘She was frustrated with the lack of professionalism,’ she said.
Renard was part of the French side that achieved a goalless draw versus Norway on Tuesday, followed by a 1-0 win over Denmark and a 5-1 demolition of Uruguay.
Renard’s choice was a “big surprise” since she “loves the French national squad despite all of the current and former issues”.
But, he adds Renard wasn’t ever in decent relations with manager Corinne Diacre, who stole the armband from her in 2017 before handing it back in 2021 ” as he puts it late”.
Renard career
“Renard appeared dissatisfied after the past two games. It became increasingly difficult to discern what Diacre desired to see on the pitch. And that some of the players were not up to the task.”
Renard has played in two World Cups, the most recent in France in 2019.
She has spent her entire club career with Lyon, helping them establish themselves as a dominating power in European women’s football. She has won 15 Division 1 Feminine crowns, nine Coupes de France, and eight Champions League medals.
