France defender Mamadou Sakho has claimed that renewed interest in the national team will prove to be beneficial ahead of Euro 2016.
After enduring a controversial World Cup in 2010, when the players staged a revolt against former manager Raymond Domenech, Les Bleus reached the quarter-finals in Brazil this year, where they lost to Germany.
Didier Deschamps's squad received a warm welcome from supporters when they returned home from the tournament and Sakho believes that the level of support will aid the team when they host the European Championships in two years' time.
"It's touching to see all the fervour surrounding the France team," he told TF1. "It's great to see France supporting their team like that. We love it.
"We wanted to do something really great, something wonderful, at the World Cup, and even though we've come home without the trophy, we struck a chord with the French public and that's what we need to focus on.
"We'll concentrate on our upcoming fixtures, and obviously Euro 2016, which will be held in front of our fantastic fans."
France return to action against Serbia on September 7.
Steven Toplis
