Selma Bacha reflects on France exile and Lyon refuge after injury setback
France and Olympique Lyonnais defender Selma Bacha has opened up about the emotional difficulty of repeated injury withdrawals from national team duty, following her latest setback which saw her leave the squad this month. The 25-year-old left-back was forced to depart the current France camp after suffering a calf lesion during a Coupe de France match, a continuation of fitness struggles that have plagued her since the 2023 World Cup.
In an interview with So Foot, Bacha admitted the pride of a call-up is always tempered by the fear of another injury. "It's always difficult to have to leave a gathering, while it's always a pride to be present," Bacha said. "Every time I leave the gathering, I am really sad." The latest withdrawal marks another chapter in a challenging period for the player, who has missed multiple international windows due to persistent ankle problems.
Bacha revealed the physical issues have not altered her aggressive playing style, stating she has learned to play through pain. Her speciality from set-pieces remains, highlighted by a recent assist in Lyon's UEFA Women's Champions League clash with Wolfsburg. However, she distinguished the pressure of a penalty from other dead-ball situations, referencing her missed spot-kick in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final shootout against Australia.
The interview provided a candid insight into Bacha's mental recovery following a difficult UEFA Women's Euro 2025, where France's quarter-final exit led to a wave of online harassment directed at players. Bacha described cutting off social media to protect herself and her family. "The hate messages and harassment, I had never experienced that," she said. While she stated she did not receive direct institutional support from the French Football Federation, she valued the public backing from teammates like Griedge Mbock and Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
Bacha identified Lyon and her close friendship with captain Wendie Renard as a crucial refuge during these periods. "Wendie, it doesn't move, she's the one who took me under her wing when I arrived," Bacha said, describing a bond that "goes beyond football." Renard is also the source of Bacha's nickname 'Brutus', due to the power in her shooting.
Now viewed as an established leader for both club and country, Bacha embraces the responsibility that comes with her experience. She aims to use her platform positively, sharing an anecdote about calling a young fan who wrote to her. Looking ahead, with no major tournament this summer, Bacha highlighted the need for a mental and physical reset for the France squad after a relentless cycle of competitions. Her primary objective remains clear: to win a first major title with the French national team.
