Manchester United legend Patrice Evra revealed that he cried in his car following France's loss to Argentina in December's World Cup Final in Qatar.
The former French international, who earnt 81 caps for Les Bleus during his storied career, was overcome with emotions and experienced deep 'pain' after the defeat.
Didier Deschamps' side overcame a limp first half showing to draw level with Lionel Messi-led Argentina and push the match to extra time.
Both Messi and new France captain Kylian Mbappe scored during the additional 30 minutes, before the Albiceleste won the trophy on penalties.
Some four months later, Evra opened up to RMC about the toll the result took on him.
'I watched the match live, and I cried. I did not expect it.
'I tell you the truth, I went to my car and I cried.
'For three days, I was in pain,' the defender added. 'And I said to myself, "Patrice, I know you love the France team"... but it hurt me so much.
'And then, frankly, hats off to the France team,' Evra finished, lauding Les Bleus' achievement of reaching the final and challenging for a second consecutive World Cup.
The pundit went on to praise France's star man in the final, Mbappe, whose performance was barely believable in the face of his team's defeat.
'You score a hat-trick, three goals in the final, and you don't win the final,' Evra said with disbelief. 'You see, it was incredible!'
After Argentina's strong first half showing, Evra added that he thought: 'That's it.'
The first half, he noted, was 'c***.'
'And then you come back, two by two – and then after you lose. There was too much emotion, too much emotion.'
After the match, Mbappe looked disconsolate, unable to raise a smile even as he accepted the tournament's Golden Boot.
Attempts by French President Emmanuel Macron to lift his spirits were rebuffed.
Evra has a reputation for wearing his heart on his sleeve when it comes to the teams he vocally supports.
After his former club – where he spent eight years, seven of them under Premier League Hall of Fame manager Sir Alex Ferguson – beat Manchester City in the derby in January, the former player posted a mocking video of himself singing a revised version of 'Don't Look Back in Anger' wearing an Liam Gallagher-style wig and a United jersey.
Mangisha
550
You didn't cry bcos France lost the WC, you cried bcos Messi won. Every Ronaldo fan did. They so badly, badly rooted for France...the rest is history. I remember so, so well how "France" supporters, the ones I was watching with, ON TV, celebrated after the 1st and 2nd French/Mbappe goals... That day was just for Messi and his team. In so many ways, after France equalised, France would have won it. That WC for Argentina was written in the sky. Everyone just wanted Messi to win. Even some rival fans wanted Messi to win. Half the people that watch football wanted Messi to win. "Rigged for Messi", they say. We say DESERVED, and WRITTEN IN THE SKY .
Tabestz
415
And the reason he cried was not cuz France lost wc but after that match he had to admit messi is goat and better then his good friend Ronaldo
hibbclpru
302
cried because he never wanted messi to win it. that's how armature some certain fan base was during the tournament. wicked peeps
Piacmnrt
136
Haters, you only cried because Messi won it and not because France lost it.
itz_me_ojei
54
Evra who is a strong Ronaldo fan said he cried in his car and was sick for 3 days after Messi won the WC and ended the GOAT debate Now I ask myself,what of Ronaldo? How did he actually feel,he must have been broken 💔💔😭 I like Ronaldo because he is very hardworking,I like Messi more because is a better player than Ronaldo and very humble too But now I understand how he/his fans and family felt Sincerely speaking,Messi broke so many hearts but not his fault,God gave Messi who he couldn't give any otherplayers... Talent,dribble, playmaker, Goals etc Messi is like 3 in 1... He is doing 3 jobs in a team Playmaking (e.g Bernardo Silva of mancity) Assister ( e.g Kevin Dr Bruno of mancity) Goalscorer (e.g Halaand of mancity) Ronaldo is a goalscorer,he can't do what Messi does.Messi or halaand or mbappe can score like Ronaldo but no body can do both not Maradona or Modric or Zidane etc...Have you see a playmaker with 800+ goals or most golden boots? Or a goalscorer with 350+ assists + most playmaker records? Messi is G.O.A.T of football 🐐