Abdessamad Mohammed: France Futsal Euro Ambition

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A few days before the opening match against Croatia in Riga (Wednesday at 4 p.m.), how is the group feeling physically and mentally?

On a physical level, the group is gaining strength. We are really starting to benefit from the work done during preparation. The idea is really to be at 200% for this match against Croatia, which is extremely important. This is our entry into the running, it will determine the rest of our tournament. We feel good, we train hard to put in a big performance. Mentally, we are preparing for a real fight against the 15th nation in the FIFA rankings.

How did your preparation go?

Compared to the 2024 World Cup in Uzbekistan, the preparation was shorter. We had two weeks of individual work, followed by ten days of internship. During this period, we played two friendly matches against Hungary (5-2 victory on January 11) and Belgium (5-5 on January 15). The competition being played in the middle of the season, we also benefit from the rhythm of the first six months played with our respective clubs. It was a special preparation, but the team is ready.

What should we expect against Croatia, Georgia and Latvia (hosts) in the group stage?

The group stage will be very difficult. We will face strong teams who are in a good dynamic. Croatia is an adversary against whom we have written beautiful pages of our history. I hope that will be the case again this Wednesday. Against Latvia, it will be special because they will play at home. As for Georgia, they are an opponent that we know well having played them during qualifying (5-2 victory and 3-3 draw). This tough group is a good thing to get us straight into the swing of things.

In 2018, for the Blues’ first international competition, you were the only amateur team. How do you view the meteoric progress of the selection since then?

It’s coming back (laughs)! Now we can make a living from futsal, we no longer have to have a job on the side. We train daily. Our respective clubs as well as the Federation have put colossal material and financial resources into the development of the discipline. We, the players, can only focus on the athlete. Obviously, performances follow. In eight years, a lot of positive things have happened.

At 35, you are the top scorer in the history of the selection (94 goals). What is your secret to staying at the top level?

I’m starting to feel the weight of the years (laughs). In the morning, waking up is sometimes more and more painful! But it is a question of rigor and work discipline. At my level, I try to put as much resources as possible into recovery, nutrition and listening to my body. And then, I am a lover of my sport. In selection as in club, I am lucky to be surrounded by competent people who allow me to take care of myself. I’m a very grateful person, so I give my all on the pitch. My family is also a strong support, especially my wife who takes great care of me. It is this set of factors that allows me to last.

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“We don’t set any limits”

Even if the backbone of the team is stable, some are experiencing their first final phase. What is your role with them?

I had responsibilities in this France team very early on and I am proud of it. My goal is to have a great competition in order to pull my teammates up. To help others, I must first perform well myself.

After your world semi-final, how are you experiencing this new status as a favorite and now highly anticipated team? What is the objective for this Euro?

The change of status is the most difficult thing to understand. When I arrived, we were unknown to the battalion. The norm was not to win, nor to perform. The World Cup made us change dimension. From now on, the opponents are waiting for us further down, forcing us to play the game… It’s something that we had to digest. But I much prefer to be in the shoes of the favorite who inspires fear. Regarding the objective, you will first have to qualify for the knockout phase. Then, win as many matches as possible to go far. A Euro is long and difficult. We are ambitious but humble. We don’t set any limits.

Between Portugal (title holder) and Spain, which nation is the most formidable?

Spain and Portugal are coming off a disappointing World Cup and will want to redeem themselves. They cannot miss two consecutive competitions. Ukraine is also a very strong and complete team that we find difficult to beat. Personally, I put us in that hat. But, the level is very homogeneous. No one should be buried.

What is your view on the development of French futsal by the FFF?

Honestly, we are pampered. We are placed in the best conditions. I would like to salute the role of the leaders of the Federation, but also of our clubs. We are a bit like little kings. President Philippe Diallo puts a lot of energy into the development of the discipline. He was there for our preparation matches and he will be present at the Euro. This is a strong signal. The small downside remains the championship, which is progressing at its own pace. There is still work to be done, particularly on the format of the competition to take it a step further and give it more spice, or on certain points of regulation such as the management of yellow cards.

Finally, what message do you want to send to the public who are discovering the discipline?

Everyone has already played futsal at school or with friends, but high-level practice remains little known. We want to democratize the discipline and give a good image so that people become attached to us. We have a talented, cosmopolitan team, with values and offensive play. I hope that there will be many supporters in front of La Chaîne L’Équipe to watch our matches. We are going to wet our jerseys to honor our country. It’s a huge opportunity to sing the Marseillaise in a European championship. It’s a sport of the future. At the level of emotions, there is real magic. We want to make our supporters proud.