Having enjoyed a mixed World Cup campaign, France midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni (26) spoke in an interview with France 24 about the injury that prevented him from performing at his best.
"By the third or fourth match – or even a little before that – I was in pain," he explained. "It's the World Cup, so you try to do everything you can to perform at your best on the pitch."
It was a calculated risk taken by the Real Madrid player, whose decision to play was made in consultation with the French national team's medical staff. "There are circumstances that call for giving it your all. I paid the price for it afterwards, but it's part of my story and I have no regrets," he says.
Although he featured in three of the first four matches played by Didier Deschamps' side during the tournament, Tchouaméni was unable to take part in the round of 16 against Paraguay (1-0) and the quarter-final against Morocco (2-0). Starting against Spain in the semi-final, he, like the rest of the team, was overwhelmed by the performance of La Roja 's players.
