Why a Former French Star Still Harbours Deep Resentment Towards Argentina

The 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar may be remembered globally as one of the greatest matches in football history, but for many former French internationals it remains a source of lingering pain. Among them is former France forward Djibril Cissé, who has once again laid bare the emotional scars left by that dramatic defeat to Argentina. Nearly three years on, Cissé’s words make it clear that the wounds inflicted in Lusail have not yet healed.

Cissé, who represented France at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, was recently confronted with memories of the final after watching a special report published by the French daily L’Équipe. Revisiting the footage proved too much for the outspoken former striker, who reacted with striking candour. “Watching those videos again filled me with anger,” Cissé admitted. “To be completely honest, it made me feel a deep hatred towards Argentina.”

His criticism went beyond raw emotion. Cissé went so far as to describe Argentina as France’s “principal enemy”, arguing that the final was far more than a single football match. In his view, it was a moment laden with unresolved grievances and symbolic injustice. For him, the story is unfinished, and redemption must come on the grandest stage of all.

Looking ahead, Cissé has already identified his ideal moment of sporting revenge: the 2026 World Cup. He openly expressed his desire to see France win a third world title at the expense of Argentina, ideally in what could be Lionel Messi’s final appearance at a World Cup. “There are still two or three scores to be settled with Argentina,” he said. “I want us to earn our third star in Messi’s last World Cup match.”

Cissé’s resentment is not confined solely to what happened on the pitch. He has also criticised aspects of Argentina’s conduct after their triumph in Qatar. In particular, he took issue with midfielder Enzo Fernández following the circulation of a controversial and offensive chant aimed at France on social media. Cissé felt that Fernández’s apology and the subsequent disciplinary response were insufficient.

“I genuinely don’t understand how his Chelsea team-mates were so quick to forgive him,” said Cissé, who himself is of Ivorian heritage and has long spoken out on issues of discrimination and respect within the game.

Despite enjoying a distinguished club career with teams such as Liverpool, Marseille and Lazio, Cissé’s international achievements were relatively modest. He was, however, part of France’s victorious squad at the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup. Away from football, his life has periodically attracted attention due to personal and legal controversies, which have often overshadowed his sporting legacy.

Yet today, all discussion circles back to one defining moment: the World Cup final in Qatar. Time may have passed, but Djibril Cissé’s comments leave little doubt that, for him, France’s defeat to Argentina remains an open wound—one that will not truly close until it is answered on the world’s biggest stage.

Djibril Cissé: Career Snapshot :