International friendlies might not generally be the source of epic story-telling, but in France a tale has emerged that is captivating enough to knock the socks off the usual pre-match debates. The promise of Anthony Martial or the travails of Karim Benzema seem mundane compared to the sudden reappearance of Lassana Diarra on the scene. The yarn is all the stranger because the player hadn’t just been in the international wilderness for five years, he had also more or less vanished as a footballer for 15 months.
Diarra’s career is one that takes in extremes. He was once among the elite with Real Madrid and Chelsea, and also veered into less sophisticated outposts at Portsmouth and Anzhi Makhachkala. Then came this period of absence. It is not entirely clear where he was or what he was doing. In the summer of 2014 he fell out with his coach at Lokomotiv Moscow and was sacked. The conflict, with his contractual situation stuck in dispute, led to an entire season without football.
He has subsequently expressed thanks to friends and coaches who helped him during this period but he is happy to keep it vague. It perhaps adds to the air of inscrutability that in 2014 he was forced to issue a statement via his lawyers denying “absurd” rumours that he had gone to Syria as a jihadist.
When he was catapulted back into Ligue 1 with Marseille he formed part of a double gamble. There was a mixture of bemusement and flickering hope for an unexpected bonus when Diarra and Abou Diaby were signed last summer. The one-time France internationals had fallen off the radar for different reasons. Diaby’s perennial injuries presented obvious obstacles. Diarra’s absence was more difficult to file away and understand.
There were not huge expectations at the Stade Vélodrome but Diarra walked into the team, his fitness and power astounding for someone without any competitive football for so long. His performances in a struggling team have been sensational. Marseille are 16th in the table and he has been the only positive. He has been a beacon.
He was clearly very driven while he was without a club. “As a worker I was deprived of my rights,” he says. “As a footballer I worked like crazy to keep fit. As a man I remembered the good times. That was something to hold on to. I had moments of doubt but now I am enjoying myself. I always knew I would come back and play football again. Fifteen months is a long time. I went to France, Italy, England. I worked with people who knew me, at former clubs, who were able to find the words to help me. I have a strong character with a tormented side. But you have to let go of the past.”
Aged 30, he wondered whether it was “a little late for a revival” but his form for L’OM has been compelling. Even so, a recall for Les Bleus in good time to make a case before the European Championship which will be held on home soil was beyond his aspirations. Yet here he is, in full competitive mode.
France have strong memories of inspiring comebacks. Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram and Claude Makélélé had all called it a day at international level but were tempted out of retirement to drive France to the 2006 World Cup final. Diarra may not possess the same pedigree (he won the last of his 28 caps in 2010) but in terms of style and determination Didier Deschamps recognises the player can bring something special to the party.
In midfield, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi have two of the three positions taken care of. As for the third, Diarra has muscled in to compete with Yohan Cabaye and Morgan Schneiderlin. While Cabaye offers something more creative, and Schneiderlin ticks most boxes, Diarra’s reading of defensive situations as an authentic No6 midfielder, in the manner of his old idol Makélélé, offers the potential for a balance that Deschamps wants to take a look at.
Cabaye might know his position is at risk but he could not hold back his admiration for Diarra’s willpower in forcing his return. “If Lass can bring his qualities and his experience, everyone wins,” the Crystal Palace player says. “It is up to the coach to make his decisions. There’s no problem.”
An intriguing question in addition to the technical one is the personal one. How will Diarra cope with being in the squad on a human level? “He is reserved,” notes Deschamps. “He must find his place in the group but he has returned with a smile and that is the most important thing.”
Personality-wise, general perceptions used to be of a man who doesn’t involve himself too much in the squad spirit. Diarra would not score highly in many lists of players whose love for the jersey is an obvious impulse. But speaking this week back in the French fold, the 30-year-old sounded humbled by this opportunity. “Many things have been said. I accept them. Regarding the France team there is a sense of incompleteness. So I enjoy this, and hope it will be OK. I am attached to this shirt. I am living my passion.”
France has suddenly, unexpectedly, fallen a little bit in love with this blast from the past. Diarra will have his chance in one of the two upcoming friendly games, against Armenia and Denmark, to prove he is ready to play a big part in the future.
