The images pinned in the gymnasium where the French players sit down to talk summon up great days in the storied history of the footballing nation.
Aime Jacquet, clutching the trophy in 1998; Thierry Henry, winner that year and also a 2006 finalist; Michel Platini, legend of the great 1980s team.
Becoming the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962 would be some addition to that gallery, though 72 hours out from the clash with old English foes, the questions the players fielded yesterday betrayed a distinct anxiety about the strength of Gareth Southgate's team.