Here you are, world champion less than a year after your first selection with the France team; after wearing the Senegal jersey. What effect does that have?Hatadou Sako: It’s beautiful what’s happening to me. It’s also a trajectory that I chose. When I made the decision four years ago (the regulations impose a three-year break in order to be able to represent another selection, Editor’s note), I did not imagine having this gold medal around my neck. But I knew that with this French team, I had something to do. And my instinct, what I rely on every day, all day long, led me there. And as they say, instinct never fails. These girls are part of my destiny, my story and I say thank you to them all. Because we wrote this story together.
You haven’t played much for a week and made a decisive entry at the start of the second half…I was always given the feeling of being able to serve even when I was number 2. I accept all the statuses given to me because playing is my primary concern and I must, every time I come home, perform well, give the best of myself because I know that it is with efficient goalkeepers that we win. I also knew that if I had the chance to make this final they would be able to count on me. Because I know that people have confidence in me and I have confidence in myself without pretension. When I come home I say to myself: Hatadou, it’s your time. You stay on the bench for an hour in the group stage against Norway, you’ve been waiting for this moment. Don’t let it slip under your nose, take advantage of it, you’ll see what happens next. That’s what I did and honestly it’s magnificent.
How strong is this group? We are a very cohesive team that makes such a mess. That’s why we are world champions. The opponents don’t know where to expect us, we can cast doubt everywhere. And we try to play with rules of course but always with as much lightness. What allows us to perform well is that we are all different and that we each manage to express ourselves. It’s great, we managed to keep a cool head and a warm heart because we wanted to come home with a gold medal. We managed to stay focused. However, we are very restless girls, but when we have to concentrate we manage to do so.
