As during the last European championship, it is she who will guide the French women entering the field. Wendie Renard, the emblematic captain of Les Bleues, is playing her third Euro. For the first match against Italy, Sunday July 10, she approaches, at 31, the competition as a boss. But one of the best defenders in the world retains, like the France team, a virgin international record, while she has won everything in club (quinteen French championship titles, eight French Cups, eight Champions Leagues).
Despite questions about her physical form, Wendie Renard took on her role as leader from the start of the preparation. Preserved, she could not play against Cameroon and Vietnam, but she remained involved in the life of the group. The one who recovered the captain’s armband at the start of the season, after having been dismissed since the arrival of Corinne Deacon, has more than ever turned into a locker room leader. “Wendie is a natural leader […] She has always had this leadership that makes her the person and the player she is today.”, midfielder Kenza Dali had assured AFP earlier this week. Since the arrival of Les Bleues in England, the defender has been the leader of the delegation, leading warm-ups and training.
Focus on – pic.twitter.com/37JgyPZby2
— Wendie Renard (@WRenard) July 5, 2022
She has also endeavored to take under her wing the youngest selected, particularly the Lyonnaises she rubs shoulders with in clubs. “She is an example, she marks the history of French and European football on a daily basis. There are really no words. She is an extraordinary person, a leader, a very serious person”, Selma Bacha (21) told AFP this week. A transmission of experience and a major vector of integration to strengthen the group spirit.
But Wendie Renard will be especially expected on the ground. At the time of launching this Euro, in the French clan, it is however she who arrives with the least certainty. Bothered by a pain in the thigh, the Lyonnaise was spared during the two preparation matches. “There is a question about Wendie, who was unable to fine-tune the automation with her defense teammates”, confirms to franceinfo: sport the former international scorer, Marinette Pichon. His entry into the running will be particularly intense, against a physical Italian team and focused on blows. “She will have to quickly get into the bath”summarizes Marinette Pichon.
The love of my life for the 8th time ✨❤️
— Wendie Renard (@WRenard) May 22, 2022
From the top of his 131 caps, Renard has had no great success with the Blues. She has never gone beyond the semi-finals in the World Cup, and the quarter-finals on the European stage. The void is noted, and the captain asks only to fill it. “I don’t want to be world champion in friendly matches”, she said in April before the qualifying match for the World Cup against Slovenia. First leg against Italy this Sunday.