France inspired by their victorious 2013 generation
Pogba, Thauvin, Areola, Umtiti became world champions in 2018
France forward Moussa Diaby: "That shows us the path to follow"
As France gear up for their opening game against Saudi Arabia on Saturday, the nation's young hopefuls will be looking to match a special group of talents. France's players have a long list of illustrious examples to follow, but their main source of inspiration in Poland will be the generation that emerged triumphant at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013.
Victorious in 2013, crowned in 2018 Paul Pogba, Florian Thauvin, Alphonse Areola and Samuel Umtiti have all become France stalwarts since that victory. More importantly, last year they joined the elite band of players to have lifted the FIFA World Cup™ after winning the U-20 version. And the list of 2013 champions also includes Kurt Zouma and Lucas Digne, who were both part of Didier Deschamps' most recent senior squad.
"Paul Pogba and Florian Thauvin both have wonderful careers," added the forward. "There are five or six players from that generation who are in the senior team now. When you see that, it's a source of motivation for us. That shows us the path to follow."
France U-20 coach Bernard Diomede will be making sure his charges remember that message, having worked with this generation since U-17 level. The 1998 World Cup winner knows the approach they need to reach the summit and is focused on helping a squad, which is bursting with individual talents, work together to "do justice to the blue shirt".
