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French President Emmanuel Macron’s enthusiasm at World Cup final ruffles critics
- Macron was an unmissable presence at the final, even making an appearance in the team’s changing room to deliver an emotional postgame pep talk
- France’s ‘12th man’ also made headlines in 2018 leaping to his feet in the stands as France won the World Cup in Russia
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From leaping from his seat in the VIP box to consoling crestfallen players on the pitch, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a wide-ranging performance at the World Cup final that was not to everyone’s taste.
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The 44-year-old was an unmissable presence at the game at the Lusail stadium in Qatar on Sunday, even making an appearance in the team’s changing room to deliver an emotional postgame pep talk.
“You’re an amazing team,” Macron told the players, pounding his fist in his hand for effect. “No other team would have got here and come back on two occasions and being so close to winning it.
“You had the heart, the hunger, the desire and the talent to get here and that’s why I wanted to come and say thank you,” he added, according to a video posted on his social media accounts.
France were 2-0 behind until the 80th minute before a quick-fire double by Kylian Mbappe levelled the game.
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