Some of the big names in French football were present this Tuesday near Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, in the great southwest of Paris: Kylian Mbappé, Thierry Henry, Didier Deschamps, Aimé Jacquet or Roger Lemerre… What do they have in common? The National Football Institute, more often called “INF Clairefontaine”. Based in Vichy (Allier) when it was created in 1972, the INF set up shop in 1988 at the brand new national football center built in Yvelines. And he celebrated his 50th birthday today at an FFF event.
“We brought together everyone who makes French football,” rejoices President Philippe Diallo, introducing the day. I want to thank all the educators, all the district presidents. It’s this whole family that makes us experience emotions. Our training system, envied by much of the world, is what makes up our DNA. » “I am often asked what the French training model is,” continues Hubert Fournier, national technical director. I would say that it is systemic: all the actors have a preponderant place. »
???? On this exceptional day when the FFF celebrates 5⃣0⃣ years of French training at CNF Clairefontaine, discover all the figures you need to know ????
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Founded by George Boulogne in 1972, directed by Pierre Pibarot, DTN at the time, the INF has over time become the main hope center in France. “An institution of excellence, a laboratory and a school of life,” summarizes Hubert Fournier. “I spent two years at the INF,” recalls Kylian Mbappé, captain of the France team. We started to learn that football was a profession. We had a structure to understand what football is. These are memories for life. »
In 50 years, the INF has evolved a lot. Didier Deschamps believes that “the decisive step was to move on to pre-training with the youngest”, which made it possible “to support the kids in their adolescence, not just in football”. Since 1998, he has joined the women’s team. And now tends towards more diversity.
Thierry Henry reunited with three of his former coaches: Roger Lemerre, Arsène Wenger and Raymond Domenech. THE PARISIAN / ARNAUD JOURNOIS Arnaud Journois
“The INF is masculine and feminine,” summarizes Peggy Provost, ex-international turned educator. We now want to have a women’s section within each structure in France, to have a coherent federal path to win together. » “We wanted to make the INF the first mixed center,” explains Christian Bassila, the director. They have a different way of learning. They are more studious. It allowed us to better channel the boys. »
And to grow, together, to form the best elements of tomorrow. “The INF is more than training,” says Thierry Henry, current coach of the Espoirs. I also want to highlight the very high level of analysis and the rehabilitation center. » So many tools which allowed France to become double world champion with its men’s team and to accumulate titles among young men and young women. Next goal: Euro 2024 and the Paris Olympic Games. Always with the children of the INF, from Marie Katoto to Kylian Mbappé.
