France's 'non-French' team: Young Parisians defend their identity amid controversy

In the multicultural Barbes neighborhood of Paris, young people gathered to watch France play Spain, a match that carried significant symbolic weight on Bastille Day. Amidst a controversial debate sparked by former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's remarks questioning the Frenchness of the national team, these young Parisians asserted their identity and belonging.

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The problem is that there are many people who don't know how France was built. Even if our parents or grandparents weren't born here, like me, we were. We have to change the mentality, not of politicians, but of people, because being French has nothing to do with where you were born, but with the place where you grew up, with your language, with your culture and your references.

Nora A., 21, whose parents were born in Senegal, and her friend Lula M. watched the game together, wearing their national team jerseys. Nora wryly commented on the team representing "that France where there are no French people," referencing the ongoing debate. She stressed that French identity is forged through shared culture, language, and upbringing, not solely by birth. "There are many people who don't know how France was built," Nora stated. "Even if our parents or grandparents weren't born here, like me, we were. We have to change the mentality, not of politicians, but of people, because being French has nothing to do with where you were born, but with the place where you grew up, with your language, with your culture and your references."

Melanie Ibrahim, 20, and Kassim Ahamada Ali, 27, also expressed their connection to France, despite their parents hailing from the Comoros Islands. "We are not white, but we all love this team, even if it doesn't win," Melanie asserted. "We live here, we pay taxes and contribute to the economy. We are French like everyone else." She believes that while Rajoy's comments tarnish Spain's image, "true Spaniards" do not share such views. Lenny Maboundou, 22, of Congolese origin, echoed this sentiment, pointing to Spanish player Lamine Yamal as an example of diverse origins within a national team. "Our parents and we have also built France," he added.

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We are not white, but we all love this team, even if it doesn't win. We live here, we pay taxes and contribute to the economy. We are French like everyone else.

The gathering in Barbes, a vibrant artery of the Goutte-d'Or district, showcased the capital's diversity. The crowd included people of various ethnicities, many dressed in traditional African attire or wearing Islamic veils, all united in their support for the French team. This display of unity and belonging contrasted sharply with the divisive rhetoric that had fueled the controversy, highlighting the complex and evolving nature of national identity in contemporary France.

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Our parents and we have also built France.