OL Lyonnes centre-back Renard, with 168 international appearances and considered a legend of the game, was not selected for the two Nations League games against Switzerland (May 30) and Iceland (June 3). At that point, according to Renard, she had not been told what that meant for the European Championships.
“I understood from the press conference (to announce the Euros squad on June 5) that I wouldn’t be playing,” Renard told Martinique La Premiere, a France TV channel.
“I got a call from the coach beforehand because there were two Nations League matches before. But after that, it’s the coach’s decision, and I have to respect and accept it. But it’s incomprehensible.
“We ask ourselves lots of questions, questions that are in my head and that I will keep to myself. There is disbelief, injustice. I can wake up in the morning and look at myself in the mirror.
“I gave it my all. Only God knows why I am not on that list. I wish this team success and hope they win the title. Choices have been made, and I can only wish them success.”
Renard had been France captain since 2013 but has endured some turbulent times with the national team.
After taking charge in late 2017, coach Corinne Diacre stripped Renard of the captaincy. Renard writes in her book, Mon Etoile (My Star), that Diacre said she was at “40 per cent of her capacity with the French team” and “perhaps the armband took up too much of her energy”.
In March 2023, Renard withdrew herself from selection for that year’s World Cup, stating she “can no longer support the current system which is far from the requirements of the highest level”.
Following the sacking of Diacre, Renard returned to the squad under Herve Renard (no relation to Wendie) but was unable to guide her team beyond the quarter-final stage of the World Cup or the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I have always given 30,000, 40,000 per cent for this shirt, which I hold above everything else,” she said. “That will always be the case because I believe my career is not over. It’s the coach’s decision, but everything in its own time.”
France start their Euro campaign against defending champions England on Saturday in Group D.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
France, Women’s Soccer, Women’s Euros
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