Laurent Koscielny has announced his retirement from international football in a very honest way, taking swipe at France manager Didier Deschamps and explaining ‘How France World Cup triumph had a negative impact on him’.
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny was forced to miss out on the plane to Russia for the World Cup finals after tearing his Achilles in the Europa League semi-final fixture against Atletico Madrid last May.
The 33-year-old made 55 appearances for Les Blues and initiated a letter of support for each of Didier Deschamps World Cup members but at the same time admitting to ‘How a part of him wanted France to fail in his absence’.
“I think that I have given everything I can for France. My injury does not change my decision. For Les Bleus it is finished,” he said in an interview with Canal+.
“It feels like a hit on the back of the head,” he said.
“When you are in good form, you have lots of friends. When you are injured… after a certain period of time, you are forgotten about.
“He [Deschamps] called me once for my birthday in September. Otherwise, no. Lots of people disappointed me. Not only the coach
” The injury is one thing, the victory of the World Cup is another,” Koscielny continued. “I think the victory certainly made me much more psychologically hurt than my injury.
“I think I gave the France team what I could. For me, my injury has not changed anything. The Blues are over, after that, I will always be a supporter of the French team but what is certain is that I will not put on the blue jersey.
“I have a new state of mind, there will be the Laurent before and the Laurent after injury. I want to continue to Arsenal, I want to return quickly. I want to fight.”
