THE VITALS:

Team: France

Brand: Nike

Era: 2018-19 (Used for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, 2018 FIFA World Cup Final, the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League and throughout the 2020 UEFA European Championship Qualifying Campaign)

Name/Number: -

CONDITION: EXCELLENT

This shirt comes to you in excellent condition with the material and applications standing in seldom worn condition!

DIMENSIONS:

Size: Small

Pit to Pit Measurement: 19.5 inches

Shirt Length: 26.5 inches 

Made by Nike in their ‘Dri-Fit’ style of shirts which they introduced in 2017; this dimensions of this particular shirt are quite peculiar for a size small; namely, that the width is better suited for a medium, however, the length is quite short, so please bare this in mind when considering this shirt.

DESCRIPTION:

Nike would choose navy as their preferred ‘bleu’ of choice to adorn France ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia – a staple of theirs since taking over as the national side’s kit manufacturer in 2010. Unlike the others however, this shirt would be etched into folklore of the nation as they became World Champions for a second time in 2018! This shirt in many ways is the inverse of its predecessor used at Euro 2016, with navy now taking the place on the body, while the lighter shade of blue has been relegated to the sleeves, with Nike masterfully combining the scratch effect on the sleeves with the combination of blues , while a stylish button collar replaced the hoop collar used previously. Although this shirt would debut in France’s losing effort vs Colombia in a friendly on 23^rd March 2018; this shirt would go on to be worn in France’s classic victories in the knock-out stages of the World Cup over: Argentina, Uruguay, Belgium and of course, Croatia in the final, and then in UEFA Nations League victories over both The Netherlands and Germany in late 2018! After France wore a special centenary shirt for the 4-0 win over Iceland on 25^th March 2019; they returned back to this strip again for the rest of the year.

THE SEASON(S):

France came into 2018 and began their final preparations ahead of the World Cup that summer, and their first reunion since the 2-2 draw with Germany in November came on 23^rd March when they welcomed Colombia to Saint-Denis. In the clash of beaten quarter finalists at the 2014 tournament; Colombia would stun the hosts 3-2 – coming from 2-0 down to claim the upset victory! Business as usual however, would resume for ‘Les Bleus’ as the Euro 2016 finalists would claim wins over: Russia, the Republic of Ireland and Italy, before battling to a 1-1 draw with the USMNT in their final friendly before opening their World Cup campaign against Australia on 16^th June.

In what was a less than convincing performance; France would nevertheless overcome their opponents 2-1, before beating Peru 1-0 five days later to seal qualification from the Group Stages; making the goalless draw with Denmark almost an after event.

A mouth watering Round of 16 showdown with Argentina was next on the cards, and in the game of the tournament; France would hold out to eliminate Messi and co after a thrilling 4-3 clash in Kazan! In the quarter final, they’d overcome Uruguay 2-0 to set up a meeting with fellow favourites – Belgium. Samuel Umtiti’s 2^nd half header would ensure Didier Deschamps’ side prevailed 1-0 and passage to the World Cup Final against Croatia on 15^th July! In yet another goal fest; France would become champions of the world for a second time when they beat Croatia 4-2 in Moscow!

France would then take their place in the inaugural UEFA Nations League competition alongside the Netherlands and Germany in a mouth-watering round robin. Unfortunately, the newly crowned World Champions would be suffering a post-World Cup hangover to end the year as there were draws that came against Germany, Iceland as well as a defeat against the Netherlands on 16^th November as they missed out on the semi-final of the Nations League.

2019 would begin as France began qualification for Euro 2020, and the pair of qualifiers in March versus Moldova and Iceland would see France net 4 times as they secured back to back wins! The national side would reunite in June where they defeated Bolivia on 2^nd June, however, their 4 match winning streak would be snapped when they were beaten 2-0 by Turkey as they returned to Euro 2020 qualifiers, however, another 4 goal haul versus Andorra got ‘Les Bleus’ back on the winning trail.

That win would begin a fantastic end to the year as they would go unbeaten in each of their next 6 outings; only Turkey would earn a draw in the return fixture on 14^th October; with the World Champions claiming wins over: Albania x2, Andorra (again), Iceland and Moldova either side of the draw as the qualification campaign ended with France comfortably securing their place at Euro 2020!

The notable players that season(s) were:

Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, Wissam Ben-Yeder, Antoine Griezmann, Jonathan Ikone, Florain Thauvin, Thomas Lemar, Kingsley Coman, Nabil Fekir, Paul Pogba, Moussa Sissoko, N’Golo Kante, Steven Nzonzi, Tanguy Ndombele, Corentin Tolisso, Blaise Matuidi, Benjamin Mendy, Lucas Hernandez, Benjamin Pavard, Djibril Sidibe, Layvin Kurzawa, Raphael Varane, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti, Adil Rami, Kurt Zouma, Presnel Kimpembe, Alphonse Areola, Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda,