Transfers
Digne's Instagram apology after France's World Cup exit
At 21:56 today, Lucas Digne used his Instagram-account to address the painful elimination of France from the WK, posting his first public reaction after the 0-2 loss to Spain. The left‑back, a 32‑year‑old French defender, described himself as the schlemiel of the Fransen side, acknowledging the mistake that proved costly.
The error occurred midway through the first half on Tuesday when Digne attempted to clear the ball from the six‑meter area and collided with the on‑rushing Lamine Yamal. The foul on Yamal awarded a penalty to the Spanjaarden, turning the tide of the match.
Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and calmly converted the spot‑kick, giving Spain a 0-1 lead that would later become part of the 0-2 final score. The penalty moment marked the turning point for the French campaign.
In his Instagram post, Digne wrote, "And so a dream ends – the dream of a little boy, and undoubtedly also that of thousands who stood behind us." He reflected on the collective hopes of the supporters and the harsh reality of the defeat.
He continued, "First of all I am disappointed in myself. I am also disappointed for this team, for all the effort we have put in and for this fantastic group of players. I think of everyone who made the journey and those who supported us from France and around the world. Your support carried us through this adventure." The heartfelt message underscored his personal and national disappointment.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano later confirmed that Digne will join Paris Saint-Germain after the tournament. The Parisian club will trigger an option in his contract and pay a fee of ten million euros to acquire the defender from Aston Villa, sealing his move to the French capital.