“Representing France is the most beautiful thing,” says Adrien Truffert

The Stade Rennais defender was called up by Thierry Henry for the two friendly matches against Ivory Coast and the United States, on March 22 and 25. Interview.

He is one of the new entrants to this first Olympic list concocted by Thierry Henry. Rennes defender Adrien Truffert, 22, has experience to spare with already 165 professional matches, including 30 in the European Cup. “I was lucky enough to start early“, points out the player in an interview with franceinfo.

The opportunity to discuss the Olympic tournament with him (from July 24 to August 10). If he would like to participate, he confides that there is “a lot of parameters that will be taken into account“.

Franceinfo: Adrien, are you already planning towards these Games?

Adrien Truffert: This selection week is, I think, made for that. We plan ahead, even if we know that next week there will be the championship, our daily life. The Olympic Games are still far away, but at the same time, it will happen very quickly.

When we talk about the Olympic Games, we don’t usually necessarily associate it with football. What place do they take for you?

The fact that it’s in France, I think that adds something. We represent the country. It’s a big event that happens every 100 years (smiles). It’s a pride to represent your country. I think that for any athlete, in any competition, the Olympic Games, from the moment you represent your country, it is a competition that is important, that you want to play. Representing France is the most beautiful thing.

It’s not in the Fifa dates, it’s the club that has the hand. Have you started discussing this with Stade Rennais?

Honestly, not yet. There are still quite a few matches left, with a Coupe de France semi-final (against PSG, April 3, editor’s note) and the race for Europe. I’m thinking first of focusing on our end of season before talking about the Games. Honestly, we haven’t broached the subject yet, although it will have to be broached at some point.

Is participating in the Olympic Games a priority for you?

Of course I would be happy to participate in the Olympics! I would be wrong to say otherwise. Like I said, representing your country is beautiful. Even more in France. We want to make the French proud. But there are a lot of parameters that will be taken into account, which I cannot control. But we will ask ourselves these questions at the appropriate time.

You met the staff and in particular Gaël Clichy, who was an international in your position.

We talked a little, I’ve only been here two days, I’m discovering the new staff, but it’s nice. It’s nice and it’s always important to be aware of players with great careers. He has worked at the very highest level, he can help me in all areas, physical, tactical, mental. I’m going to try to use these tips to add to my packaging.

You’ve already been selected for the A’s, what are you missing to go back there?

I’m missing quite a few things. Perhaps I have to be more decisive offensively and also defensively, in positioning, reading the game. There are still milestones to pass because in A, there are very, very good players. We work, we learn for that.

Is it harder to go to the A’s when you play at Stade Rennais?

I don’t think so, because I got my selection while at Stade Rennais (smiles). These remain choices, it is the coach who makes the choices. We know that we have to work to go even higher.