As much as I would applaud French footballeurs and footballeuses walking away from national teams because of Macron's blatant xenophobic comments and Islamophobia, Macron is not the country. He does not hold the key to their identity or existence on the pitch- or off.

The existence of Muslims in France is complicated, and a product of centuries of violent colonialism. Not everyone can be a Mekhloufi and go back to West or North Africa, or from where their family once lived. There are roots in France. Deep ones.

I can not imagine the pain of being villainized constantly by where I am. To cheer for Black, Afro-Arab, Arab, and Muslim players who hoisted up the flag in 2018. And visited with the same man slandering them.