France heroes’ Wags and families arrive for World Cup reception at Elysee Presidential Palace
President Emmanuel Macron will greet them at his official residence in Paris after second World Cup title was delivered by players on Sunday
FRANCE players’ Wags and families were in party mood as they arrived at the Elysee Palace in Paris ahead of the team’s official reception after winning the World Cup.
Ready to greet a jubilant squad, who had just paraded through the Parisian streets in front of hundreds of thousands of adoring fans, the players’ loved ones were met by President Emmanuel Macron at his official residence.
Antoine Griezmann’s wife Erika Choperena, along with former Miss France winner Rachel Legrain-Trapani, now dating Benjamin Pavard, were spotted among the guests at the red carpet ceremony.
The players will receive the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest honour, for their triumph, while six Metro stations on the Paris underground were temporarily renamed for the World Cup winners.
President Macron, who was part of the medal ceremony in Moscow, was on hand again to meet the squad.
His jubilant celebrations during the final went viral as he leapt to his feet to celebrate the country’s second World Cup win.
Tottenham goalkeeper and France captain Hugo Lloris was front and centre of the celebrations, clutching the golden trophy as the squad exited the bus and headed into the palace.
They will be greeted by up to 3,000 guests at the reception, including 1,000 young footballers from local clubs including Bondy, where Kylian Mbappe first began his career.
Midfielder Paul Pogba, who scored France’s third goal against Croatia, was also spotted with Brigitte Macron, the president’s wife.
Pogba celebrated on the pitch with his family in Moscow, lifting the trophy with his two older brothers and his mother.
Standing room only on the Champs-Elysees as the team coach headed towards the palace
Didier Deschamps, the head coach, was also a prominent figure, having become just the third man to win the World Cup as both player and manager.
Deschamps, 49, was the winning captain 20 years ago, and joins Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer and Mario Zagallo of Brazil on the illustrious list.
