The warm, sunny south of France, and more specifically Châteauneuf-le-Rouge where the France Olympic team has set up its base camp, reflects the mood that has been prevalent in Thierry Henry’s team for several weeks now.

Captain Alexandre Lacazette is clearly enjoying the pre-tournament feeling. “We are like a group of mates who live together, we all get on really well”, he told FIFA in an exclusive interview. “I’m really happy to be here, I’ve come into a close-knit group, with players who are intelligent, respectful and passionate about football.”

Buoyed by recent emphatic victories in their warm-up friendlies – ۴-۱ against Paraguay and 7-0 against the Dominican Republic – the cause for optimism is so high that head coach Henry went as far as to say that he had “never seen a group live together so well”.

A brotherly atmosphere, encouraging results, a summery climate… The early indications look promising for the squad and their goal is now clear for all to see. “We all have the same ambition – to go all the way and win a medal”, Lacazette said, fresh from scoring a brace against the Dominicans in Toulon on 11 July.

As a recent addition to the squad, the Lyon striker admits that he had “never imagined that he would one day compete at the Olympic Games and be captain of France’s Olympic team”. Before accepting this unique challenge, the former Arsenal forward, who along with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Loic Bade is one of the three players aged over 23 allowed to participate, was keen to speak with Henry.

“I wanted to know what he wanted from me”, recalls the 33-year-old. “We spoke only about football and my involvement on the pitch. I was really pleased, because I didn’t want to just come and play the big brother role.”

It is the role of leader that Lacazette will fill, as Henry has decided to entrust him with the captain’s armband. “I’m so proud”, he continued. “Because this shows that throughout my entire career, I have been exemplary enough to earn this responsibility. I am delighted to have been accepted as captain by the group, there’s been no envy.”

His only thoughts now are turned towards France’s opening Olympic match against USA on Wednesday 24 July, at the often effervescent Stade de Marseille. “The fact that it’s a home Games is really going to motivate us”, he said. “Having the support of the crowd behind us and knowing that our families and friends will be there too, it makes it even better. I don’t think that there will be any added pressure. Actually, the opposite.”

If they are to beat USA and get their competition off to a flying start, Lacazette and his team will have to follow Henry’s attacking philosophy to the letter, and the France captain has forged a strong bond with his new manager. “Thierry was my idol growing up”, he admitted.

“I often saw him in London when I signed for Arsenal. He has a great sense of humour, he laughs a lot and likes spending time with his players. But he also knows how to set the record straight when he needs to. As soon as we need to get down to business, there is no time for joking around.

“Tactically, he is decidedly forward-thinking. He wants us to know when to press and to win the ball back high up the pitch and, depending on the game situation, play direct football or play a more possession-based style and pass the ball around more. He especially wants us to enjoy ourselves and put on a show for the spectators.”

The word “enjoy” is bound to delight French football fans, many of whom were left frustrated by the performances of Didier Deschamps’ men during UEFA EURO 2024. The Olympic Games could well be the opportunity to create a connection between the football team and their fans, like other athletes before them. “When I think about the Olympic Games, I mainly think about the achievements of French handball players and the Caribbean athletes”, added Lacazette. “Now, we know what we have to do and what we want to do, and that’s winning another medal for France.”