PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron once again showed off his sporting talents Wednesday, this time as Paris prepares to host the Summer Olympics.
Macron, who is known as a soccer fan, wore the jersey to a charity match against soccer legends and famous players at a club in Yvelines, west of Paris. The event, which raises money for the children's health charity chaired by First Lady Brigitte Macron, was attended by former World Cup winners Laurent Blanc and Didier Deschamps.
Since being elected in 2017, the 46-year-old has seized numerous opportunities to prove his athleticism and physique, observing that this is a photogenic way to brandish a dynamic image as France's youngest president in modern history. All people are aware of this.
Earlier this year, a photo of Macron hitting a punching bag went viral on social media, widely seen as the latest in his efforts to strengthen Europe's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
President Macron also pledged to swim in the fresh water of the recently revitalized Seine River, which will be used for Olympic sports for several days during the Games.
On Wednesday, the French president took to the field as a midfielder, playing alongside soccer icons such as the 1998 World Cup winner and Didier Drogba and Eden Hazard. The fight also featured celebrities such as MMA fighter Cyril Gane and former German national team goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.
Macron is not entirely new to the world of football, but he has taken part in charity matches before, most notably scoring from the penalty spot in a match against medical workers three years ago.
After the match, all participants in Wednesday's match were invited to the Presidential Elysée Palace, underscoring the social status of the event in the build-up to the tournament.
The charity match comes ahead of the major international spectacle of the Olympic Games, scheduled to be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, with Macron turning to the sport as a way to promote both charity and national spirit. This emphasizes our ongoing efforts.