Marcel Desailly exclusive on how football gave him a sense of belonging

Four-year-old Marcel Desailly, like many other kids that age, wanted to play football.

Yet arriving in France from Ghana after being adopted, the youngster had to fight to play the game with which he'd become synonymous.

"I had some difficulty to have access to football because my father was a diplomat, so football was not really the first thing in his head, education, go to university, and so I had to fight a little bit to play football," Desailly told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview at the 2026 Laureus Sports Awards in April.

But fight he did, and by the time he was 18, Desailly senior had seen his son turn professional having progressed through the youth academy of his hometown club, FC Nantes.

Sadly, Marcel's father did not live to see junior's accomplishments, including becoming a world-renowned defender playing for the likes of Marseille, AC Milan and Chelsea.

By the end of his career in 2001, accolades included a World Cup winner's medal, a European title two years later, two consecutive Champions League trophies and 116 caps, the latter incorporating a four-year role as captain of the national side.

The now 57-year-old is also instrumental in promoting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting 11 June.

Yet that little boy who arrived in France might be more pleased with his future self for his post-retirement endeavours – promoting the sport for those less fortunate, which Olympics.com explores on World Africa Day, 25 May, and ahead of the International Olympic Committee's Let's Move campaign, which culminates on Olympic Day, 23 June.

The collaboration with the World Health Organization inspires people worldwide to get active and embrace daily movement, with the 2026 focus centred on overcoming self-doubt and building confidence through movement.

Something Desailly knows only too well.

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The diversity of Zidane, Thuram, Viera, and Desailly

Cognisant of his own start in life, Desailly now spends his time encouraging underprivileged kids to play the game that gave him so much. Not least the myriad life lessons that come with playing sport, whatever the level.

"Football is something very special for the youth, for sport in general," said Desailly, who shares his passion for the sport with underprivileged kids in Ghana and was in Madrid for the awards in his role as academy member supporting Laureus Sports for Good Foundation. The award was won by Fútbol Más, an organisation that uses football to support children in vulnerable communities.

One of the key aspects of playing a team sport for Desailly is a sense of belonging, which he experienced after he arrived in France from Africa as a young boy.

Fast forward to 1998, and the bonds forged in the World Cup-winning squad, which included a number of players with African heritage, helped the team claim the ultimate prize.

"All together, at the same time, we've been able to stick together and no matter the differences that we're having or the origin, we managed to make it on our home soil, France. It was something unique. I think it's not been many World Cups with the host who wins the tournament.

"So, yes. The fact that the diversity was there from (Zinedine) Zidane, who is originally from Algeria, myself from Africa, (Lilian) Thuram from the French-Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, yeah, it was a great adventure."

The team also included football legends such as Patrick Vieira (born in Senegal) and Thierry Henry (of Guadeloupe and Martinique descent).

The next generation of players went on to win the trophy for France for a second time in the tournament's history a decade later, but it is the current generation that Desailly hopes will add a third World Cup to the nation's football history.

"We boosted the economy of the country, the happiness of the people, and much more."

Bond of brothers everlasting

As football fever increases every day, with France's first match against Senegal on Tuesday 16 June, Olympics.com ask if he misses playing the beautiful game?

"I don't miss my football career at all," said Desailly. "My life is much better without football. I travel around the world, see different cultures, different people, do business. There's a special adrenaline. I'm free.

"I miss only the 90 minutes.

"The 90 minutes are very special. It's unique. When you score the goal or you concede the goal, the stadium is shouting your name and you are praising the team, wow, it's a different level. So, for that, they have to fight for it," said Desailly of those wishing to emulate his success and "experience the high level".

"It's just amazing."

With passion undimmed for the game that gave him so much, Desailly continues to share the message of togetherness experienced in his own football journey.

On being asked what he would say to a young African kid in Europe or with African roots who feels like he or she doesn't fully belong anywhere, he was firm.

"If you are into sports, just express yourself and be the best you can and follow the rules. The rules are motivation, consistency, dedication, being obsessed about what you are looking for, so you should not mind about whatever is around."

A nostalgic photo shared to the footballer's official Instagram account in 2024 captures in a split second the bond forged between his teammates that has remained long after the final whistle of their successes.

The image shows eight of the French squad sitting on the pitch at the De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, having just won Euro 2000.

Laughing, cheering, hugging and celebrating wildly, the octet are clearly a band of brothers forged in the fires of training for a common goal.

Desailly is joined by Henry, Thuram, Vieira, plus Robert Pires, Bixente Lizarazu, Sylvain Wiltord and Didier Deschamps, current manager of France.

The caption says it all: "Love you guys for ever ⚽️❤️."

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