Emperor of Football: Julien De Rocca

The 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine was the 14th edition of the tournament.

Sixteen teams would compete across eight cities in Poland and Ukraine over the course of a month to determine the ultimate European champion.

This tournament garnered tremendous attention not only among European fans, but supporters from other continents were equally anticipating it.

After all, this was the grandest football feast second only to the World Cup.

To represent one's country, to become famous with a single goal at the European Championship—this was the dream of countless players.

The World Cup still felt distant, but the Euros were right around the corner.

At Bastia.

With the season concluded, the players were now on holiday, and many had the European Championship on their vacation itinerary.

However, for these players, they could only serve as spectators in the stands.

Fortunately, Bastia had one player who might have a chance to participate—Julien De Rocca.

L'Équipe had included De Rocca in their speculation about Blanc's final squad.

Many believed that this Ligue 2 MVP and Golden Boot winner had a strong chance of making the final roster.

Julien's talent was obvious to the naked eye.

In tournaments like the European Championship, most teams preferred defensive play, and De Rocca's ability to create opportunities in tight spaces would become exactly what the French team needed.

However, there were also many dissenting voices.

They felt that De Rocca was merely a player from lower-level leagues who hadn't yet played in high-level competitions, making him insufficient for inclusion in the official national team squad.

Nasri and Menez were considered the best options for the right flank.

Opinions were divided.

Before the final squad announcement at the end of the month, a journalist interviewed Zidane, asking him to speculate on who might be included in the French team.

Zidane mentioned several names, such as "Ribéry, Benzema, Nasri, Giroud, and others."

He didn't mention De Rocca.

The journalist brought up the topic directly: "Many media outlets suggest that Bastia's player Julien De Rocca might make the final squad. What do you think?"

"He certainly deserves it. Regarding De Rocca, I've already expressed my position—he will become an important member of France's future. I believe many people already know what he has accomplished at Bastia. Such a player deserves our greater expectations."

Zidane answered honestly.

He naturally knew that Blanc had already decided to select De Rocca for the squad, and he knew this would undoubtedly spark further discussion.

So, this public statement was also intended to help French fans understand Julien and the extraordinary achievements he had created this season.

Previously, Zidane had told Morientes that he had a feeling De Rocca would lead Bastia to a double crown.

It became reality.

Now, Zidane still believed that De Rocca would be an important member of the French team. France's third European Championship, their second World Cup—perhaps it would come during Julien's career.

As time gradually approached May 29th.

Not just in France.

In all the other European countries that had qualified for the Euros, fans were speculating about their respective national squads.

Like the World Cup, the European Cup, and the modern Olympics, the European Football Championship also originated from a Frenchman's idea: Henri Delaunay, secretary-general of the French Football Association.

The current European Championship trophy is called the Delaunay Cup, commemorating his contributions to this tournament.

Delaunay had proposed the idea of the "European Championship" as early as 1927, but it wasn't until UEFA was established in 1954 that this plan had a foundation for realization.

Finally, the first European Championship began in 1958.

The first host nation was France.

However, the two countries that ultimately reached the final were Eastern European nations: the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia.

France was eliminated by Yugoslavia 5-4, a scoreline that remains the highest-scoring single match in European Championship history.

The final was played in Paris.

Yugoslavia controlled the entire match, but Soviet legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin showed all of Europe what it meant to be a goalkeeping goat, proving that goalkeepers could also be the protagonists on the football pitch.

The match went to extra time at 1-1, and Yugoslavia was ultimately defeated by the Soviet Union's comeback.

The Soviet Union won the first and only European Championship in their history.

These past events had long since faded away.

The names of those legendary stars had also become increasingly blurred through generations of changing fans.

People preferred to chase the contemporary superstars.

Just like this tournament, with those highly anticipated names—Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Cristiano Ronaldo, Buffon, Gerrard, Ibrahimović, Alonso...

But for the people of Bastia.

All these names combined couldn't compare to "De Rocca."

May 29th, 10 AM.

French national team head coach Laurent Blanc held a press conference at Clairefontaine.

It was broadcast live.

The vast majority of Bastia fans turned on their televisions, nervously watching the press conference unfold.

At the Bastia training facility.

Julien was brought by Hadzibegic to sit in the center of the team's reception room, surrounded by teammates who hadn't left yet and his family members.

As the press conference began. Everyone was extremely nervous.

In the crowd, Kanté stared at Blanc on television as he spoke about France's past European Championship record and his outlook.

His thoughts were somewhat scattered. This was the first time he had been so close to the European Championship.

Of course, he was riding on De Rocca's coattails.

His transfer contract from Boulogne to Bastia had been finalized, just waiting for the summer window to open for the official announcement.

Now he had already come to Bastia to familiarize himself with the environment.

This would be where he would strive next season.

Kanté looked toward the front row where De Rocca was surrounded by everyone, and it would be false to say he wasn't envious.

Everyone was anticipating his inclusion in the European Championship squad.

"...Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud...Jérémy Menez..."

On television, Blanc was reading out the squad list.

Everyone in Bastia's reception room seemed to hold their breath.

No one dared make a sound.

They were afraid of missing what Blanc was saying.

"...Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa..."

The four young talents, highly popular among French fans, were all included.

Generally speaking, when head coaches read squad lists, except for coaches with unique personalities, most read them in order of starters to substitutes.

The list was more than half complete.

Still no mention of De Rocca's name.

Pierre's hand on Julien's shoulder unconsciously tightened.

Hadzibegic, Chataigner, and others were equally nervous.

Every name Blanc read made their hearts skip a beat.

"Julien De Rocca, Hugo Lloris..."

Blanc's words landed lightly in the reception room.

'Hm?'

For a moment, everyone was stunned. 'Was that De Rocca?'

The next moment.

"De Rocca! European Championship!!" Chataigner excitedly jumped up, rushed to Julien, grabbed his shoulders and shook them frantically.

While shaking, he kept shouting, "He's in! He's in! European Championship!!"

The reception room erupted!

"Oh! Julienn Dee Roccca! We're going to watch you at the Euros in person!"

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