France’s former captain Patrick Vieira talked about his Senegalese roots ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup encounter between the two countries.
Born in the Senegalese capital before emigrating to France at a young age, the former French international and 1998 winner was proud to play for the French team but still proud to be Senegalese too. “I was so proud to play for France and wear that shirt, but Senegal is part of me as well,” confessed the former Arsenal midfielder ahead of Group I.
The 49-year-old, part of the 2002 French side famously beaten 1-0 by Senegal in the opening game at that tournament, admits Senegal would be looking to cause an upset again on Tuesday.
Vieira admits he is impressed with how the game is progressing in Senegal and speaks about the progress made at the Diambars academy, which Vieira has helped set up since 2003 and has produced a lot of Senegalese internationals in this current squad, including Idrissa Gueye.
France may be widely fancied to win this World Cup, but Vieira insists that the Senegalese squad are strong enough and believes that they will cause problems to the opposition in every game of the World Cup.
