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Matuidi, now 39, knows a thing or two about what it takes to go all the way at the FIFA World Cup.
He was a key player for Les Bleus in their run to the final in 2018, which culminated in a resounding victory over Croatia, the French national team’s second World Cup title.
Four years later, the French were beaten in Qatar, as Lionel Messi’s Argentina defeated the holders on penalties after what had been a gripping, enthralling final.
'France can go all the way again'
Not since 2002 has a country played in three consecutive World Cup finals, when Brazil won their record fifth title with victory against Germany. But, France are vying to match that feat in North America.
Matuidi has played in and scored at the World Cup, representing France in 2014 and 2018. And while he didn’t get on the scoresheet during their 2018 triumph, his performances in the middle of the park alongside the metronomic Paul Pogba were integral to Les Bleus’ success.
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“When I was in the national team my favourite roommate was Paul Pogba, because we had many years together. Since 2013, we were together and spent a lot of time in national team together,” Matuidi told FourFourTwo at a MatchWornShirt exhibition event in New York City.
“Also outside - his family knew my family. My parents were living in a city where his parents were also living so we spent time like this together.”
Thick as thieves on the pitch, and seemingly off it, too, Matuidi and Pogba were a winning combination for France in Russia - but is the current Les Bleus crop better than the heroes of 2018?
“I hope that France will go all the way. They have to take [it] step by step, game after game. But, they have the talent and the quality.
“There is many talented players, they have the quality especially offensively. Even defensively when you see [Dayot] Upamecano, he’s a monster.
“If you have to choose one I say [Michael] Olise at the moment is doing so well. He does everything, he knows what to do with the ball and without the ball, so he’s a player that can change the game in one minute.”
In a side that boasts the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe and Desire Doue, that is some endorsement from a decorated individual who’s been there and done it before.
No pressure, Micky.
“The craziest thing I saw was when we landed in Paris, all the people, on the bridges - that was something I’d never seen before in my life,” Matuidi adds, recalling the scenes upon returning home in 2018.
“It doesn’t matter the colour of the people, they were all together and everywhere [people hanging out] all the windows from the airport to the Champs-Elysees - that was a fantastic atmosphere, fantastic moment and one that will stay in my head for my life.”
