Though the cities themselves get the plaudits, it is mostly the socially and economically forgotten suburbs of these cities where the talent can be found. In the age of identity politics and the rise of populism, footballing success for France has been twinned with the beautiful emulation of diversity and multiculturalism. The World Cup victories of and , have held testament to represent the quality that the economically and socially neglected neighbourhoods have to offer.
The and World Cup triumphs came at a time where not only national pride was at its highest but tensions regarding race and identity were at the forefront. A story that is lived by many millions of ethnic minorities across France and the suburbs of its biggest cities. Effects of decolonisation and the labour shortages meant that France had to turn to many of its colonies to supply manpower and rebuild the nation after the Second World War.
These consisted of high rise flats and housing on the outskirts of major cities, which contemporarily make up the banlieues.
Most notably the Il De France of Paris and the suburbs of Marseille, have been the consistent producers of the greatest sporting icons the nation has ever seen.
Paris, the city we all associate with glitz and glamour, was obliterated by shells of the German Luftwaffe, and the rebuilding scheme by Courant set to construct at least , homes per year in the Paris region alone. This was due to the exponential growth the city had seen in the years following WW2. Annual growth of the city saw 50, people migrate to the capital city every year between to Seine-Saint-Denis, an example of a neighbourhood built up by Courant in the Il De France Suburbs of Paris , epitomises the diverse talent that originates from humble backgrounds.
