Valbuena reflects on the 2014 World Cup, calling Pogba the strongest player and regretting a missed opportunity against Germany.

According to L'Équipe, former French international Valbuena reflected on the 2014 World Cup, discussing his regret over missing a shot against Neuer in the quarter-final against Germany, and evaluating his teammates and the atmosphere of that French squad.

Valbuena stated that the strongest player in France's 2014 squad was undoubtedly Pogba: "He was still young, only 21, innocent and romantic, and his performance in training and matches was incredible. He had everything: technique, fighting spirit, ball retention, long passes, and attacking runs. He was physically strong and very versatile. Despite being so young and playing in his first World Cup, you'd think: 'What exactly are his weaknesses?' (laughs) Of course, there were others, like Benzema, who was technically the strongest, without question. 100% clinical in front of goal, with excellent ball control and first touch."

On the most interesting personality in the squad, Valbuena said: "The craziest and funniest was Patrice Evra. He was like a captain, even without the armband—he controlled the team. He was truly respected. His kindness left a deep impression on me. He was the type of person who dared to joke about anything, even with coach Deschamps, after all, he'd known Deschamps for many years. In 2010, when things were very difficult, he could still make me laugh (laughs). Think about it—he had great humor and was very witty; he really made me laugh a lot."

When asked who his best friend on the team was, Valbuena said it was difficult to choose: "There was Patrice, Steve Mandanda, and Olivier Giroud. We four often played Perudo, a dice game, in my room. That was a very special quartet. Karim also joined us. We'd go together to recovery training, the sauna, and steam room. I did all my warm-ups with Patrice—he taught me a lot. Steve was more introverted. Olivier seemed very serious, but he also loved to laugh."

Speaking about France's best match at that World Cup, Valbuena said it was the second group stage game, a 5-2 victory over Switzerland: "That game was very important; we suffocated them. We knew very well it was the hardest match. We were leading 3-0 at halftime, and our counter-attacks were excellent. That game was incredible. That's when you felt: 'We are really strong.' That generation had a fearless mentality, and most importantly, the coach really molded the team into a cohesive unit. We all knew the 2010 World Cup was a disaster. The turning point came after losing 0-2 to Ukraine in the playoff first leg on November 15, 2013. The outside world was waiting to see our performance. First there was 2010, then Euro 2012, where we struggled under Blanc's command. We couldn't lose another World Cup, especially not in Brazil. We started from scratch."

When asked about the shot he'd most like to redo, Valbuena answered: "It was that left-footed shot against Germany in the quarter-final. The score was still 0-0 at the time, and Neuer saved it in the first half, hitting the near post. I cried over that shot. Sometimes I replay it over and over in my mind, like a film. Then I think: 'What if I had scored?' I think that game could have been different, but who knows. After we were eliminated, Griezmann cried too; I remember it clearly. Antoine was very shy and humble when he arrived. You could tell at a glance that with his left foot, he would achieve great things in the future. He didn't even know back then that he'd lift the trophy four years later (laughs). Going back to the Germany game, we were in Brazil, after playing Nigeria, we really felt the momentum shift. We said to each other: 'Damn, we can go all the way.' Then Hummels scored... We were eliminated at the Maracanã, and Neuer made several saves in the final stages. When the goal was scored, Varane was marking him—he was still young then, only 21—and his shirt was pulled a bit; it was just a detail..."

Speaking about a story he'd never told before, Valbuena said that after they were eliminated, the team held a small celebration at the base: "The coaches told us: 'You're on vacation, but you did beautiful work, have fun.' The president of the French Football Federation, Le Graët, also came to see us and said: 'This is the beginning of a rebuild, the beginning of a great story.' What happened afterward proved he was right. Didn't 2018 and 2022 start from there? We gathered, knowing everything had ended. After a few drinks, we said: 'Guys, Euro will be in our country in two years; let's win it.' That team of ours was really great; we had a special understanding between us. It was at that moment I realized this team was ready to do great things."

Speaking about Deschamps' biggest outburst at that World Cup, Valbuena said there weren't many: "Honestly, not many. The biggest was after we lost the playoff first leg to Ukraine. There was one after that game, and also the next day, when we returned to the base. He really gave us a dressing down! He said: 'What kind of image do you want to leave for the outside world? Your families are waiting for you in Brazil, and you're playing like this!' He was right."

As for the most underrated player on that 2014 French squad, Valbuena named Matuidi: "Completely underrated. He was an incredibly consistent player who did almost all the dirty work. Sometimes, in a 4-3-3 formation, he could cover an entire flank by himself. Yes, he wasn't the most technically gifted, though he wasn't bad either. But the help he brought to the team was surprisingly significant. He was also one of the few under Blanc in 2012 who didn't play a single second, which has always been a mystery. I had a good relationship with Blanc, and I'd occasionally run into him. He himself regretted it. He told me: 'I don't know why I didn't play you and Blaise back then.'"

When asked which former teammate he'd most like to see again, Valbuena said: "We've been in touch for a while. But I really want to see Yohan Cabaye again. I particularly liked that person. He was simple, kind, and calm. I really admired him as a person. As a player, his short and long passes were beautiful. You almost never heard about him. If he wants, just give me a call (laughs)."

Traduzido por IA.

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