Eduardo Camavinga Opens Up About Reduced France Role At Euro 2024
Eduardo Camavinga is currently dissatisfied with his limited role for France at Euro 2024. Despite being a key player for Real Madrid, where he played 2,825 minutes across 46 games in the 2023-24 season, he has not secured a starting position in Didier Deschamps' preferred midfield lineup.
Camavinga has only played 48 minutes as a substitute against Austria and Poland during the group stage. He is unlikely to start in the upcoming last-16 match against Belgium on Monday. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, the versatile 21-year-old expressed his frustration but remained hopeful about future opportunities. "This is not a positive outcome for me. The fact that I don't play much doesn't necessarily make me happy," Camavinga said. "I know that one day or another, my time will come."
France had not failed to top their group at a major tournament since Euro 2012, ending a streak of five consecutive tournaments finishing first in their group. This year, they did not achieve that feat.
At the 2022 World Cup, Camavinga also experienced limited playtime, appearing twice and starting once as France reached the final but lost to Argentina on penalties. In that final—a thrilling 3-3 draw featuring a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick—Camavinga was brought on at left-back due to illness within the French camp. Although he has played left-back for his club, he prefers central midfield. "I still don't enjoy it, that hasn't changed," he said. "But I'm a team player. If I have to play full-back again, I will."
Camavinga emphasised the importance of readiness and focus throughout the competition. "A competition is not played with 11 players," he noted. "The most important thing is to be focused until the end."
Upcoming Match Against Belgium
In Monday's match against Belgium, Camavinga will not face his Real Madrid teammate Thibaut Courtois. The goalkeeper was excluded from Belgium's squad despite recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury before the season ended. Courtois has been sidelined since leaving Domenico Tedesco's camp last year.
Camavinga believes Courtois' absence could benefit France: "Him not playing is a good thing for us," he said. "Belgium are a great footballing nation with great players." He added that both teams have moved past the group stage and will be mentally stronger going forward.
2012 - France had not failed to finish top of their group at a major tournament (World Cup + EURO) since EURO 2012, ending a run of five consecutive tournaments finishing in 1st place in their group. Laborious.
#FRAPOL pic.twitter.com/SdtV85HVhv
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 25, 2024
The French team remains focused on their upcoming challenges as they prepare for Monday's match against Belgium in Düsseldorf.
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Monday, July 1
6pm local time
Düsseldorf | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/jTVQ5p9JaQ— French Team (@FrenchTeam) June 26, 2024
Despite his current situation, Camavinga remains optimistic about his future opportunities with the national team.
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