You would be forgiven for thinking the French players are showbiz celebrities rather than sportsmen. They are in the news for all the wrong reasons. The fact that they are in a relatively weak group A in the FIFA World Cup appears to have made them overconfident, and their lazy demeanour only serves to compound the showbiz impression.
During the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, they were in the news for their inconsistent game. The icing on the cake came in the match against Ireland, where Thierry Henri did a 'hand of God'.
Their relief at eventually qualifying will scarcely suffice to erase the humiliating memory of going down 1-3 to Austria. France's solitary win from five semi-final entries at the World Cup is indicative of their underperforming on the big stage.
In the case of Theirry Henri, his undoubted skills and 51 strikes in a record of 117 caps for France, notwithstanding, the controversial goal against Ireland did nothing to enhance his reputation. The fact that he got away scot free only compounds the crime. Or, is this Henri's way of continuing the tradition of controversy that the previous captain, Zidane, established?
Regardless of the controversies surrounding their qualification, the team's coach did manage to get them to the final against Italy in 2006. Then also, the expectations from the team were very low.
And coach Domenech is confident that his team will give him a great parting gift by performing well. Domenech will be succeeded at the team's helm by Laurent Blanc.
Theirry Henry, whose hand of God kept Ireland out of the cup could play little part initially, owing to injury. The forward line is likely to be manned by Anelka in place of Henry, along with Andre-Pierre Gignac.
They should be ably supported by Franck Ribery in midfield, provided Ribery has recovered from injury.
As of now, it looks unlikely that Ribery will be in the staring eleven for the first match. Regardless, France should sleep walk past their rivals, Mexico, Uruguay and South Africa, in their group. Greece, their probable rivals in the round of 16, should not bother them unduly, either. Their first real challenge will be in the quarter-final, most likely England. If they can get past this hurdle, they will probably meet the winner of a Brazil-Netherlands encounter.
Controversies notwithstanding, France's manager Raymond Domenech can be credited with taking his team to the final in 2006.
If France are anywhere near as inconsistent in the World Cup, as they were in the qualifiers, England will be licking their chops.
