Latest news with #RobinLeNormand
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Spain's Le Normand has ‘no resentment' ahead of France clash
SPAIN defender Robin Le Normand bears 'no resentment' towards France, he explained before a Nations League semi-final clash against the country of his birth on Thursday. The 28-year-old Atletico Madrid centre-back, born in the Brittany region of France, obtained Spanish nationality in May 2023 and has gone on to become a regular for La Roja. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente brought the defender into the fold during the last Nations League final four, and they won it before triumphing at Euro 2024 last summer, where he started in the final against England. 'There was no resentment or (thinking) 'I made the right choice'... I never felt that way,' Le Normand told AFP at Spain's training centre Las Rozas. 'I give my all and try to repay the trust, striving to give my full potential and my best version on the pitch.' Le Normand, who played at youth level for French side Brest, joined Basque country club Real Sociedad in 2016. France coach Didier Deschamps told Le Normand he liked his football but did not call up for national team duty and Spain pounced, just as they did for Aymeric Laporte in 2021 and Diego Costa back in 2013. Spain beat France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals but Le Normand was suspended and could not face Les Bleus. On Thursday in Stuttgart he is in line to start but does not feel he is under the microscope because of his origins more than any of his team-mates. 'It's a match with a special kind of pressure because it's still a semi-final, with the importance of representing a country, wanting to do things right, and trying to repay the trust they've always placed in me,' said Le Normand. 'That's where the pressure mainly comes from.' Road to recovery This season was not the easiest for Le Normand on a personal level after clashing heads with Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni in a derby clash in October. It left Le Normand with a traumatic brain injury, which took him nearly three months to recover from. 'I've taken several hits before, so initially I didn't really take it seriously... (then) the symptoms remind you that it's serious,' said Le Normand. 'When you want to get back on the bike, when you just want to go up the stairs, your brain ultimately tells you no, you can't. 'Well, you can -- but you're tired, you're out of breath, it spins. It's quite striking.' Le Normand was out for nearly three months, and it took him longer to get back to his best, which he managed in the final weeks of the season. 'Wearing the helmet during recovery wasn't easy, but, it was necessary,' he explained. 'I think now it's been 15 to 20 matches where we've tried to get back into the rhythm. Now, I feel really good. 'I've felt good for the past 10 matches. We're trying to continue along this path.' The reward for that could come against France as Spain try to become the first team to defend the Nations League trophy. Spain's triumph against France last summer was inspired by a sensational goal from Barcelona's teenage winger Lamine Yamal. Le Normand is grateful every time he can avoid facing the 17-year-old star in training. 'I prefer having him on my team rather than going up one-on-one against him... we've had a few games this year against Barca, and we sometimes feel a bit powerless,' said the centre-back. 'He is 17 years old and has already played an incredible number of matches at an extraordinary level.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Robin Le Normand Ready to Face France with No Regrets
SPAIN defender Robin Le Normand bears 'no resentment' towards France, he explained before a Nations League semi-final clash against the country of his birth on Thursday. The 28-year-old Atletico Madrid centre-back, born in the Brittany region of France, obtained Spanish nationality in May 2023 and has gone on to become a regular for La Roja. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente brought the defender into the fold during the last Nations League final four, and they won it before triumphing at Euro 2024 last summer, where he started in the final against England. 'There was no resentment or (thinking) 'I made the right choice'... I never felt that way,' Le Normand told AFP at Spain's training centre Las Rozas. 'I give my all and try to repay the trust, striving to give my full potential and my best version on the pitch.' Le Normand, who played at youth level for French side Brest, joined Basque country club Real Sociedad in 2016. France coach Didier Deschamps told Le Normand he liked his football but did not call up for national team duty and Spain pounced, just as they did for Aymeric Laporte in 2021 and Diego Costa back in 2013. Spain beat France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals but Le Normand was suspended and could not face Les Bleus. On Thursday in Stuttgart he is in line to start but does not feel he is under the microscope because of his origins more than any of his team-mates. 'It's a match with a special kind of pressure because it's still a semi-final, with the importance of representing a country, wanting to do things right, and trying to repay the trust they've always placed in me,' said Le Normand. 'That's where the pressure mainly comes from.' Road to recovery This season was not the easiest for Le Normand on a personal level after clashing heads with Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni in a derby clash in October. It left Le Normand with a traumatic brain injury, which took him nearly three months to recover from. 'I've taken several hits before, so initially I didn't really take it seriously... (then) the symptoms remind you that it's serious,' said Le Normand. 'When you want to get back on the bike, when you just want to go up the stairs, your brain ultimately tells you no, you can't. 'Well, you can -- but you're tired, you're out of breath, it spins. It's quite striking.' Le Normand was out for nearly three months, and it took him longer to get back to his best, which he managed in the final weeks of the season. 'Wearing the helmet during recovery wasn't easy, but, it was necessary,' he explained. 'I think now it's been 15 to 20 matches where we've tried to get back into the rhythm. Now, I feel really good. 'I've felt good for the past 10 matches. We're trying to continue along this path.' The reward for that could come against France as Spain try to become the first team to defend the Nations League trophy. Spain's triumph against France last summer was inspired by a sensational goal from Barcelona's teenage winger Lamine Yamal. Le Normand is grateful every time he can avoid facing the 17-year-old star in training. 'I prefer having him on my team rather than going up one-on-one against him... we've had a few games this year against Barca, and we sometimes feel a bit powerless,' said the centre-back. 'He is 17 years old and has already played an incredible number of matches at an extraordinary level.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Spain's Le Normand has 'no resentment' ahead of France clash
Spain defender Robin Le Normand poses before an interview with AFP ahead of the Nations League Final Four football match between Spain and France (JAVIER SORIANO) Spain defender Robin Le Normand bears "no resentment" towards France, he explained before a Nations League semi-final clash against the country of his birth on Thursday. The 28-year-old Atletico Madrid centre-back, born in the Brittany region of France, obtained Spanish nationality in May 2023 and has gone on to become a regular for La Roja. Advertisement Spain coach Luis de la Fuente brought the defender into the fold during the last Nations League final four, and they won it before triumphing at Euro 2024 last summer, where he started in the final against England. "There was no resentment or (thinking) 'I made the right choice'... I never felt that way," Le Normand told AFP at Spain's training centre Las Rozas. "I give my all and try to repay the trust, striving to give my full potential and my best version on the pitch." Le Normand, who played at youth level for French side Brest, joined Basque country club Real Sociedad in 2016. Advertisement France coach Didier Deschamps told Le Normand he liked his football but did not call up for national team duty and Spain pounced, just as they did for Aymeric Laporte in 2021 and Diego Costa back in 2013. Spain beat France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals but Le Normand was suspended and could not face Les Bleus. On Thursday in Stuttgart he is in line to start but does not feel he is under the microscope because of his origins more than any of his team-mates. "It's a match with a special kind of pressure because it's still a semi-final, with the importance of representing a country, wanting to do things right, and trying to repay the trust they've always placed in me," said Le Normand. Advertisement "That's where the pressure mainly comes from." - Road to recovery - This season was not the easiest for Le Normand on a personal level after clashing heads with Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni in a derby clash in October. It left Le Normand with a traumatic brain injury, which took him nearly three months to recover from. "I've taken several hits before, so initially I didn't really take it seriously... (then) the symptoms remind you that it's serious," said Le Normand. "When you want to get back on the bike, when you just want to go up the stairs, your brain ultimately tells you no, you can't. Advertisement "Well, you can -- but you're tired, you're out of breath, it spins. It's quite striking." Le Normand was out for nearly three months, and it took him longer to get back to his best, which he managed in the final weeks of the season. "Wearing the helmet during recovery wasn't easy, but, it was necessary," he explained. "I think now it's been 15 to 20 matches where we've tried to get back into the rhythm. Now, I feel really good. "I've felt good for the past 10 matches. We're trying to continue along this path." The reward for that could come against France as Spain try to become the first team to defend the Nations League trophy. Advertisement Spain's triumph against France last summer was inspired by a sensational goal from Barcelona's teenage winger Lamine Yamal. Le Normand is grateful every time he can avoid facing the 17-year-old star in training. "I prefer having him on my team rather than going up one-on-one against him... we've had a few games this year against Barca, and we sometimes feel a bit powerless," said the centre-back. "He is 17 years old and has already played an incredible number of matches at an extraordinary level." ati-rbs/dmc
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bundesliga interest grows in Nayef Aguerd amid Marseille competition
Last summer, Aguerd was on the lookout for a fresh start following a difficult spell at West Ham United. Though clubs such as Porto, Villarreal, Atlético Madrid, Wolfsburg, and Al-Ittihad explored the possibility of signing him, it was Real Sociedad that eventually secured the 29-year-old on a season-long paid loan, without a purchase option, just before the transfer window closed. Advertisement Brought in to replace Robin Le Normand, who left for Atlético, Aguerd made 36 appearances across all competitions (34 starts), proving to be a reliable presence in defence until an injury late in the season sidelined him. Now, with his loan ending and no option to buy in place, Aguerd's future is once again uncertain, and highly coveted. Bayer Leverkusen among leading candidates According to reports from Foot Mercato, Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen have made Aguerd a defensive priority this summer. With Champions League football on the horizon and potential departures in their own back line, the Moroccan international, who already has Bundesliga suitors from past windows, is seen as an ideal reinforcement. Advertisement But competition will be stiff. Ligue 1 giants Olympique de Marseille have placed Aguerd at the top of their transfer shortlist. The French side, also headed to the Champions League, value his experience in Ligue 1 with Dijon and Rennes, and are pushing hard to bring him back to France. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad would like to retain him permanently, and Atlético Madrid, who tried to sign him last summer, remain in the picture. West Ham set for payday? Aguerd remains under contract with West Ham until June 2027, and the Premier League club is expected to demand a fee in the region of €15–20 million. That price tag, combined with strong interest from clubs across Spain, France, and Germany, gives the Hammers leverage heading into the summer window. For Bundesliga watchers, Bayer Leverkusen's interest could make this one of the more intriguing transfer battles of the summer, especially if other German clubs reignite their interest from last year.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atletico Madrid President rips Diego Simeone analysis to shreds – ‘It's been a bad season'
Atletico Madrid were in the running for a treble midway through March this season, an rare feat for Los Colchoneros, but watched as their progress in all three major competitions fell to pieces in the space of three weeks. Atletico are on course to finish third behind Real Madrid and Barcelona, but President Enrique Cerezo was not impressed with their progress. Manager Diego Simeone has always been quick to point out that the budget he is working with a budget of around half of the Clasico duo. He told Diario AS after their win over Real Betis on Sunday that closing the gap to the top two is not easy. Advertisement 'The club, with the opportunity to grow, participating in the Club World Cup, always in the Champions League, is fantastic for the club and its growth. The demands increase; it's a tournament where Real Madrid and Barcelona play every year, so it's not easy. In recent years, we were always theoretically third; last year we finished fourth, but looking back, Athletic Club is growing, Villarreal is growing, and it's not so easy to get close to Madrid and Barcelona, but we try. We inflate the balloon together [build up the excitement], you and us, and in the end, the distance is clear.' Photo by Diario AS El Cholo was also clear that Atletico have been the best challengers that Real Madrid and Barcelona have faced over the last four decades. 'We don't always finish third; we've also finished second twice, and we've won twice, competing with Madrid and Barcelona. In the 40 years between 1984 and today, Athletic Club won one league, Deportivo won one, Valencia won two, and we won three. There must be a reason.' Advertisement 'We want to get close to winning, but we also value what we've achieved.' Robin Le Normand: 'We have to value third place' Meanwhile defender Robin Le Normand, one of their big-money moves last summer, told Marca after the same game that they cannot dismiss finishing third either. 'It's fine. It's normal that they're demanding from us given the squad we have. We haven't been far behind, we've fought in every competition. After all, it's football. We have to value third place, even though we want more. There are opponents who demand a lot from us and who also want to win. That shouldn't hold us back; rather, we should be focused on pushing ourselves and continuing to push ourselves to hopefully win a title one day.' Atletico Madrid President – 'It's been a disaster' However Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo was not quite as forgiving. In his eyes, the Atletico season has gone 'terribly'. Advertisement 'I don't know, it's been a disaster. The truth is that we've had bad luck on some occasions, and at other times we've played very badly. But hey, the team is the same one that started the first season; it's had its ups and downs, but in the end, the truth is that we've done terribly,' he told El Desmarque, as quoted by Relevo. 'We could have had three very important chances to win, but we practically confirmed with third place.' Enrique Cerezo nuances discourse Three days later, Cerezo somewhat softened his discourse during an interview with Cadena SER. While he backed away from the word disaster, he was not willing to 'value' third place either. Advertisement 'We haven't had a good season. It seemed like we had everything within our grasp, and in two or three games, everything slipped away. That doesn't mean the season has been a disaster, it felt insufficient.' Enrique Cerezo Difference in ambition between Diego Simeone and Atletico? Third place certainly seems like the base expectation for Atletico every year, but it also means that achieving their objective feels like little to celebrate too. Cerezo's answers perhaps suggest that the hierarchy at Atletico expect more from Simeone and the squad, but it is an incredibly difficult ask with such difference of resources. Simeone has been a guarantee of Champions League football for Atletico since arriving, but with the grass always greener on the other side, there is a portion of the Rojiblanco support that wonder whether another manager might be able to mount more of a challenge to the big two.
