Disasi and Fofana, 13th and 14th Monegasque semi-finalists of a World Cup in Blue
The central defender and midfielder of AS Monaco, currently involved in the World Cup with the Blues, qualified on Saturday for the last four of the queen of international competitions. A red and white tradition.
In line with their glorious predecessors! By overcoming from England this Saturday (2-1), the French team allowed Axel Disasi and Youssouf Fofana to become the 13th and 14th players from the Principality club to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup with France. A feat and at the same time a certain tradition that continues, AS Monaco having already provided great generations to the Blues for almost 70 years.
The cannon shot of the Tchouam’
Thanks in particular to the superb opening of the score ofAurelien Tchouameni with a strike from thirty meters – similar to his double scored against Lille at the end of last season with the Red and Whites (2-1 success) – the players of Didier Deschamps offered themselves the right to face Morocco this Wednesday (kick-off 8 p.m.). An event, since the latter became the first African country to climb into the last four of a World Cup, by defeating Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (1-0).
A first half in 1958
Both remained on the bench during this “Crunch” between tricolors and English, after taking part in the first four games of the blues (one tenure, three entries into the game), Axel and Youssouf nevertheless go down in history. They are thus following in the footsteps of the twelve other Monegasques who participated before them in a half of the World Cup with the tricolor selection, while being under contract with AS Monaco. Already in 1958, the two Raymonds, Kaelbel and Bellot, were in the historic semi-final against King Pelé’s Brazil (5-2 defeat).
The big three with the “Magic Square”
On the other hand, it will be necessary to wait more than twenty years to see the French team once again reach this milestone of the last four. In 1982, the Blues relied heavily on the Red and White Academy, with no less than three internationals trained at the foot of the Rock: Jean-Luc Ettori, Manuel Amores and Bruno Bellon. Three legends of the Club, who will unfortunately experience the trauma of Sevilla against the FRG (3-3, elimination on penalties).
The Golden Generation of 1998
Then two down four years later, with another setback against the Germans at the same stage of the competition (2-0), despite a feat in the quarter-finals against Brazil. This time, Alain Couriol is also in the game. It will finally be necessary to wait twelve more years, to see the Blues triumph for the first time, what is more at home. Fabien Bartholomew, Thierry Henry and David Trezeguetthen passed this symbolic milestone of the last four, to sit on the roof of the World by bringing down Ronaldo’s Brazil again this time (3-0).
Two new champions?
Since then, only Gaël Givet in 2006 (defeat in the final against Italy), then Thomas Lemar and Djibril Sidibecrowned world champions in 2018, will pass the coupé. To date, there are 14 Monegasque semi-finalists, and five active red and white World Champions (Barthez, Henry, Trezeguet, Lemar, Sidibé), i.e. as many as players trained at the Club with halos (Thuram, Petit, Henry , Trezeguet, Mbappe). A beautiful love story between AS Monaco and the World Cup that continues… until December 18 we hope! 🤞
This one is for you 💙
We continue 𝑬𝑵𝑺𝑬𝑴𝑩𝑳𝑬 👊#ProudToBeBlues pic.twitter.com/sxHrg1cvUq— French team ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) December 10, 2022
The 14 Monegasque semi-finalists of a World Cup with the Blues:
Raymond Bellot (1958)
Raymond Kaelbel (1958)
Jean-Luc Ettori (1982)
Manuel Amoros (1982 & 1986)
Bruno Bellone (1982 & 1986)
Alain Couriol (1986)
Fabien Barthez (1998)
Thierry Henry (1998)
David Trezeguet (1998)
Gael Givet (2006)
Thomas Lemar (2018)
Djibril Sidibe (2018)
Axel Disasi (2022)
Youssouf Fofana (2022)
Photo credits: Icon Sport