Cyrille de la Morinerie, edited by Romain Rouillard
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06:52, November 19, 2022
Banned in 2018, Adrien Rabiot became four years later an executive of the French soccer team that kicks off its World Cup against Australia on Tuesday night. In the absence of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté, his versatility could prove invaluable in winning the supreme title.
A little over 24 hours from the start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Azzurri continue their preparation before entering the field on Tuesday evening against Australia (8 pm). A match in which Adrien Rabiot should take part, formerly disqualified by the French national team, who later became a taulier in the squad.
Adrien Rabiot is in a sense the other Benzema of the Blues: an immense talent but a blurry image he assumes. Four years ago, the man nicknamed the Duke refused to join the reservist squad for the World Cup in Russia. An attitude that Didier Deschamps had not really tasted that had immediately removed him from the group. The Juventus midfielder returned to his toes just before Euro 2020 but he hasn’t forgotten anything about this sad episode.
An important role to play
“It’s true that it was a big disappointment. I’ve worked so hard to be here in 2022 but I don’t take it as revenge. I’m grateful for everything that has happened since my return to the Azzurri.” For his first World Cup, Adrien Rabiot will have an important role to play. Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté are out and his other team-mates in the center are less experienced. Despite limited experience in blue – only 29 selections – the former PSG is ready to take responsibility.
On the pitch he could be deployed in an unusual position, slightly shifted to the left. “I feel able to help others, to be able to lead by example. I like this position, yes”. A position reminiscent of the one occupied in 2018 by Blaise Matuidi on the left. His enthusiasm and his experience have been invaluable in winning the title.
