Despite suffering their first defeat of the qualifying campaign for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ on Tuesday against the Netherlands, Laurent Bonadei’s France side still have their fate in their own hands.
Forward Melvine Malard, who impressed during the last international window, is emerging as one of the players to watch for Les Bleues. Buoyed by her form at Manchester United Women, the former Olympique Lyonnais Feminin player is dreaming of securing her country a direct ticket to next year’s global showpiece.
Hailing from Réunion Island, Malard discovered football at the age of seven, having previously tried her hand at several other sports.
“I did karate, boxing, handball with my sister… but it was football where I felt at home,” she told FIFA, admitting playing in a male-dominated enviroment helped her. “I loved that edge to it. Playing with the local boys, dribbling, having fun and, above all, just feeling free.”
It didn’t take long for her talent to be spotted. At the U-15 Coupe Nationale in Clairefontaine, she caught the attention of Sonia Bompastor, then head of youth development at Lyon. Just a few months later, the youngster packed her bags and moved to the mainland.
“For me, it was the obvious choice,” the 25-year-old said. “But it was tough for my family. Letting me move at such a young age was difficult, but I knew it was what I needed to develop.
“At Lyon, every little detail matters. It helped me learn very quickly, both in terms of work and discipline. It shaped me as a player, but also as a woman.”
After several seasons in Lyon, where she won the UEFA Women’s Champions League four times, Malard decided to “cross the seas once again” in the summer of 2023. Determined to get more playing time, she joined the prestigious Manchester United Women.
“It was important for me to experience something new and I think it was meant to be,” she continued. “I had some great times at Lyon, but I felt it was the right time to test myself elsewhere, and I believe I made the right choice. Everything is quicker here. It’s pushed me to be more consistent and more efficient. I think I’ve realised I can take on even more responsibility on the pitch.”
On the international stage, Malard won her first cap in 2020 and has become an attacking weapon capable of turning a game on its head. She best underlined her match-winning ability with a brace in the recent 2-1 qualifying win over the Republic of Ireland, despite only emerging from the bench in the 69th minute.
“Scoring with my first touch was great,” she said. “I bring the energy, cause problems and, above all, help the team. It’s a way of showing the player I am. Every role is important. Coach Bonadei knows the game really well. He lives and breathes football… so when he makes decisions, I know they’re well thought-out. He’s very intelligent so we’re all happy to follow his lead.”
Malard’s progress takes on even greater significance for the upcoming clashes against the Netherlands, who are currently Les Bleues’ closest challengers in the race for direct qualification to Brazil 2027.
“These two matches will show us where we stand. We’ve got the chance to take the upper hand in the race to qualify directly.”
For Malard, reaching the World Cup would be extra special. She was part of the side which finished fourth at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018™, but missed out on the senior event in 2023.
“Those kinds of memories stay with you. They make you want to do it all again,” she said of the 2018 event. “Selma [Bacha] and Maelle [Lakrar] were there too and I get on really well with them. We’ve been together since the U-16s and on the pitch, we know each other inside out. Sometimes I look at them and think how special it is that we still get to do this together now.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t already thinking about it [playing at the World Cup]. It’s every player’s dream – and certainly mine.”
