Manchester United legend Patrice Evra revealed that he cried in his car following France’s loss to Argentina in December’s World Cup Final in Qatar.
The former French international, who earnt 81 caps for Les Bleus during his storied career, was overcome with emotions and experienced deep ‘pain’ after the defeat.
Didier Deschamps’ side overcame a limp first half showing to draw level with Lionel Messi-led Argentina and push the match to extra time.
Both Messi and new France captain Kylian Mbappe scored during the additional 30 minutes, before the Albiceleste won the trophy on penalties.
Some four months later, Evra opened up to RMC about the toll the result took on him.
Patrice Evra revealed that he cried ‘in his car’ after watching France lose the World Cup final
Lionel Messi lifted the trophy for Argentina after handing a crushing defeat to France in Qatar
France’s standout player Kylian Mbappe was overwhelmed with emotion after the final whistle
‘I watched the match live, and I cried. I did not expect it.
‘I tell you the truth, I went to my car and I cried.
‘For three days, I was in pain,’ the defender added. ‘And I said to myself, “Patrice, I know you love the France team”… but it hurt me so much.
‘And then, frankly, hats off to the France team,’ Evra finished, lauding Les Bleus’ achievement of reaching the final and challenging for a second consecutive World Cup.
The pundit went on to praise France’s star man in the final, Mbappe, whose performance was barely believable in the face of his team’s defeat.
‘You score a hat-trick, three goals in the final, and you don’t win the final,’ Evra said with disbelief. ‘You see, it was incredible!’
After Argentina’s strong first half showing, Evra added that he thought: ‘That’s it.’
The first half, he noted, was ‘c***.’
‘And then you come back, two by two – and then after you lose. There was too much emotion, too much emotion.’
The Paris Saint-Germain star sparked France’s would-be comeback with two second-half goals
After Argentina clinched the trophy, even consoling words from President Macron didn’t help
The 24-year-old could scarcely hide his disappointment as he accepted his Golden Boot.
After the match, Mbappe looked disconsolate, unable to raise a smile even as he accepted the tournament’s Golden Boot.
Attempts by French President Emmanuel Macron to lift his spirits were rebuffed.
Evra has a reputation for wearing his heart on his sleeve when it comes to the teams he vocally supports.
After his former club – where he spent eight years, seven of them under Premier League Hall of Fame manager Sir Alex Ferguson – beat Manchester City in the derby in January, the former player posted a mocking video of himself singing a revised version of ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ wearing an Liam Gallagher-style wig and a United jersey.
source: dailymail.co.uk
