Tchouaméni: I don't regret what I did at the FIFA World Cup, and the Ballon d'Or should go to a French player

Aurélien Tchouaméni, midfielder for Real Madrid and the France national team, has revealed that he competed in the FIFA World Cup 2026 while suffering from a thigh injury, confirming that he risked his physical condition to perform at the best possible level for his country.

Aurélien Tchouaméni stated in remarks to "France 24": "From the third or fourth match, and even a little before that, I was feeling pain. It's the FIFA World Cup, so we tried to do everything we could to be in the best shape and give our all on the pitch."

He added: "I took risks that I perhaps wouldn't have taken at another time, but I have no regrets about anything. The players know that there are circumstances that require giving everything, and that's what I did. After that, I paid the price, but it's part of my story and I feel no regret."

Real Madrid player discussed his participation against Spain in the semi-final, admitting that he did not perform at his usual level during the match that the French national team lost by two goals to nil.

He explained: "No, it was clear that it wasn't the real Aurélien Tchouaméni. But this isn't the first time this has happened, and it won't be the last. During the tournament, there are many moments when we talk with the medical and technical staff, and we have to do what is necessary to be on the pitch, and that's what I did."

Regarding the possibility of being with the national team in the upcoming break after missing the last one: "There is a new coach here who is doing very well, and any ambitious player hopes to play with the French national team. It's simple in life, if you perform well, the opportunity will come."

The Real Madrid player concluded his remarks about the Ballon d'Or, which is contested by his compatriots Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, alongside Michael Olise, stating: "It is clear that it should go to a Frenchman."