Varane inspires with heartfelt letter in L'Equipe
Absent defender Raphael Varane has penned a heartfelt open letter to inspire the France team ahead of their European Championship opener.
While Didier Deschamps' squad, and the country as a whole, have been gearing up for this summer's tournament on home soil, Varane has been recovering from a hamstring injury which cost him his place in Real Madrid's Champions League final and his country's showpiece event.
Sevilla's Adil Rami took his place in the squad, one of several injury alterations for Deschamps.
The tournament gets under way this evening - live on ITV - when Les Bleus take on Romania at the Stade de France, and Varane is with the squad in spirit if not in person.
"I have long dreamed about this evening at the Stade de France," he wrote in L'Equipe.
"The pressure which builds in the hours before kick-off. The chat, the warm-up, the final moments in the dressing room, the anthems, the kick-off of the opening game against Romania which we must win because this Euro is ours, we have prepared for several long months.
"It makes me feel sad, very sad, to not be present alongside you. But I do not write to complain and I especially do not ask you to share my pain. On the contrary, I wish to send you positive vibes, to tell you I believe in you.
"When we are inside the squad, we sometimes tend to take offence at criticism from outside, to only take on board the negative. It is essential to do otherwise. There is love for the France team. You know this, but I will reiterate it.
"Be proud of the passion you inspire. You have a great chance, to give happiness to your people, to do the best job in the world.
"How many children, tonight, are waiting for you to let them dream? Thousands. Tens of thousands. Millions. Being a 'Blue' is not just playing for a team, but for a whole country.
"For everyone who supports you, you will have to prove your character, your determination, you will have to give the best of yourselves, surpass yourselves.
"Remember the great moments we have shared together and which have bonded our group since the play-off return leg against Ukraine in November 2013 (France won 3-0 to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit and reach the 2014 World Cup).
"I would love to see you on July 10 for the final. But rather than occupying your head with what could happen, focus each day on what you need to do to get where you want.
"This evening, I will not be with you on the pitch but my heart beats for you, with you. ALLEZ LA FRANCE!!!"