No, it is not a minor issue. A former Spanish president like Mr. Mariano Rajoy cannot make a racist comment in good faith and then hide his head in the sand: "It's a minor issue," he let slip.. Absolutely not. A racist comment is not a minimizable issue. The very act of trying to ignore it shows a lack of sensitivity to the issue. In reality, Rajoy has given vent – consciously or unconsciously – to a banal racism that is still very present in Spanish society today. You only have to go to football stadiums to hear the insults many players receive.

The relationship between Spain and France is full of tensions, like so many stories between neighbors. Also in the world of football. The Spanish team won in the quarterfinals of the 2012 Eurocup and in the semifinals of the 2024 Eurocup, but in France they still remember the victory in the only World Cup precedent. It was in the round of 16 of the 2006 edition. The front page of a Madrid newspaper warned with a bold "We are going to retire Zidane", but Luis Aragonés' team had to pack their bags (1-3). The third French goal, to make matters worse, was scored by Zidane, who later went viral in the final against Italy – decided on penalties in favor of the transalpines – for his headbutt to Marco Materazzi. This Tuesday, it will be the second match between Spain and France in the final phase of a World Cup. Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé embody this new rivalry in southern Europe (9 PM, La 1 and DAZN).

In parallel to the fashion weeks that are currently dominating the catwalks of Paris, Milan, and New York, another equally eagerly awaited parade took place this week: that of the French national team players arriving for their training camp at Clairefontaine. A spontaneous but calculated parade, in which every garment, every bag, and every shoe speaks the language of the most coveted luxury brands. This phenomenon, born during the 2018 World Cup, when blue began to turn their arrivals into showcases of style, has gradually gained momentum until becoming, between 2023 and 2024, part of the team's very identity. The moment they step out of the car – as if it were the Oscars red carpet – already involves stylists, photographers and top brands.