Elisa De Almeida to Le Figaro before the Women's Euro: "This enthusiasm where people want to see us win our first title, it helps"

A string of youth selections, a U19 European Championship title and now a starting spot in the French national team. Elisa De Almeida, 27, has made herself a key player for both Les Bleus and Paris Saint-Germain, her club since 2021. With 44 caps (5 goals), the central defender for Paris and right-back for Les Bleues talks about Euro 2025 , the quest for a first trophy and the evolution of women's football in France.

How are you feeling before your start at the Euro?

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Elisa De Almeida: Well, we worked well. We won our two friendly matches in preparation. That gives us confidence, we feel good. Plus, the victory against Brazil was a bit of a close call. We were 2-0 down, but we came back to 3-2. That shows the team's mental strength. It gives us confidence before a competition. But we can't just stop there; these are still friendly preparation matches. We'll have to be ready for the big day, Saturday.

What are the French team's ambitions for the Euro?

Like any nation that enters a competition, it's obviously to win. We're already aiming for the final four, and then we'll see. I think we have to take it step by step. It hasn't even started yet. We have goals in mind, I think they're still in our heads, but all nations come to win, so we'll have to give it our all. We're also eager for it to start, I think, like all nations.

The staff (in the French team) has expanded, which goes with all the overall progress in women's football.

Elisa De Almeida

The French national team is still chasing its first trophy. What is it missing?

(She thinks) There must be something missing since we didn't win. (smiles) So, what's missing? If we had the answer, we would have the recipe, so we would have already rectified all that.

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Is the wait for a first title weighing on the team?

No. We're keen to win one, because it will remain the French women's team's first trophy. But it doesn't weigh on us. We take it more positively, winning our first trophy, rather than feeling very negative.

As for the French team, do you feel a greater enthusiasm today compared to when you started (first selection in October 2019)?

Yes, it's a bit more publicized. When I arrived, it was already publicized because the 2019 World Cup had just taken place in France. It made a lot of noise. I think everyone is a bit expectant of our title. I think that also helps, this excitement where people want to see us win.

There has also been a step forward in the resources allocated to the team, particularly the technical staff...

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Yes, today we've expanded the staff. There's an additional mental trainer, an osteopath. That's good. After all, it fits in with all the overall progress in women's football. It's a bit of a logical progression.

More and more French players are moving to big foreign clubs. Is this a sign that French women's football is regressing compared to other nations?

I don't think so. I think there's good progress in the French league. Nowadays, foreign players are also attracting people. The players also want to see something different. But I don't think that means the French league isn't moving forward.

Rather than always comparing boys to girls, I think it is more constructive to value what is being built in women's sport.

Elisa De Almeida

In your opinion, does women's sport have the visibility it deserves in France today?

I think we can always do better. We try to work to do better because today, we are the main actors who can make all this evolve. Afterwards, it's up to us to try to do better for future generations, because things aren't necessarily going to improve right now at this moment. But we've already come a long way from when I started and where I am today. May it continue like this.

Beyond setting an example as a high-level player, how are you involved in the development of women's sport?

What I want above all is to pass on my knowledge. To share my experience, interact with younger people, but also to set an example through my behavior. Not only on the field, but also off it: in my speeches, the messages I convey, the values ​​I defend. I want to be a source of motivation, inspiration, and to show that we can have a positive impact through our journey, our commitments, and our choices.

What can everyone do at their own level to contribute to the development of women's sport?

I try to focus on the positive developments, on what's moving forward. Rather than always comparing boys to girls, I think it's more constructive to celebrate what's being built in women's sport. Even on a small scale, every little bit helps to change attitudes and continue to grow women's sport.

What are the values ​​you seek to convey?

For me, sport is above all a vehicle for sharing, tolerance and respect for others. This is also why I find it essential to support initiatives like "Passes Décisives", set up by the MGEN (Mutuelle générale de l'Éducation nationale) . This type of operation gives women's sport the visibility it deserves and gives meaning to our commitment: it creates a link between young people, professional and amateur athletes, and institutions, around strong values. It is enriching for young fans, but also for us. We come away inspired, and proud to contribute to this kind of project which goes well beyond sport.

You turned professional in 2017 (at Paris FC). Were you able to make a living from football at the time?

No, not at all. It had nothing to do with it. They were starting salaries. I had studies on the side. There are still girls in different clubs today who work on the side. But there has been a clear evolution. When I left Paris FC (in 2019) , there was the inauguration of the new training center in Orly. Today, being at PSG, I can't say anything because with the Campus (opening in 2023 in Poissy) , it's just magnificent. I think all the clubs are trying to put structures in place for women's teams. I hope it will continue like that. We also see it abroad, there are a lot of very nice structures where girls are mixed with boys. It's going in the right direction.

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