French striker Vicki Becho celebrates her goal during the Women’s World Cup match against Panama, in Sydney (Australia), August 2, 2023. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
At just 20 years old, Vicki Becho burst onto the international scene in the space of a southern winter. A lively and ultra-fast attacker, she found a place in Hervé Renard’s group during the 2023 World Cup, in Australia and New Zealand. She has become a sort of luxury offensive joker, a « supersub », as the English designate these substitutes who prove decisive when they enter the field during the match.
A few days after a new entry in the second period, during the tricolor victory in Norway in the League of Nations (2-1), she can hope for a second start and a tenth international cap during the return match against the Scandinavians, Tuesday October 31, at 9 p.m., in Reims.
The young player from Olympique Lyonnais (OL), trained at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), had her first selection in Australia, on July 14, in the final preparation match for the World Cup, against the host country. Then, in a few days, she participated in her first World Cup match against Jamaica, becoming, at 19 years and 283 days, the third youngest French player to play in a major tournament after Louisa Necib (18 years and 140 days). ) and Sarah Bouhaddi (18 years and 238 days).
Read also: France-Panama: relive the big victory of the Bleues and their qualification for the round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup
Against Panama, she scored her first and only goal in the Blue jersey. On August 12, she experienced her first big disappointment when she missed the last shot on goal in the quarter-finals against Australia, the fourth French player out of ten shooters to fail. “This World Cup was a goal and it has been achieved”she says about her express revelation.
An endearing character from Les Bleues
Last season, Vicki Becho had already gained more importance at OL, participating in 31 matches and scoring four goals for a club she joined in the 2020-2021 offseason. Her performances have not gone unnoticed, since she appears, for example, in the ten finalists of the Golden Girl organized by the Italian sports magazine Tuttosport : an individual trophy which rewards the best player under the age of 21.
European under-19 champion in 2019, she was immediately integrated among the big ones. His good relationship with the coach and his staff helped him a lot. “They gave me confidence throughout the preparation and during the first matchesshe explains. I often came home [en jeu], and I think I made good entries. My goal was also a liberation, because I focused on it. »
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