France’s players choose silence over Social Media during EuroVolley

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In an era when every point, mistake and performance can instantly become the subject of online discussion, several members of the French national team have chosen to take a step back from social media during EuroVolley 2026.
Their approach is not about rejecting the platforms entirely, but about controlling how much space they occupy during a major international competition.

In an article published by L’Équipe on September 18, journalist Guillaume Degoulet explored how the French players manage their relationship with social media, revealing different habits but a shared desire to keep external distractions under control.

Trévor Clévenot, one of France’s two-time Olympic champions, has always maintained a certain distance from social networks. The 32-year-old outside hitter explained that he does not even open messages from strangers, sending them straight to the trash. The attention surrounding the French team increased considerably after the Paris Olympics, but it has not changed his approach. Clévenot said he would be perfectly happy with just 100 followers.
The experienced player also spoke about the unpredictable nature of online notifications. Positive messages can be encouraging, but opening a notification does not guarantee what awaits on the other side.
His response to criticism is characteristically direct: when someone tells him he was terrible, there is little reason to dwell on it because, as he puts it, he already knows.

Théo Faure, another Olympic champion in the French squad, has adopted a similarly deliberate approach.
During the European Championship, he uses social media primarily to communicate with people close to him and share matches and results. He is actively trying to limit his time online, describing excessive use as a waste of energy.
For Faure, reducing digital distractions is a practical way to preserve his attention for the competition.

Luca Ramon, meanwhile, acknowledges that hostile messages can be emotionally difficult for some athletes, even if they do not affect him personally.
The French libero explained that his priority during the tournament is connecting with the team rather than allowing outside disturbances to interfere with the group. He also said he systematically reports harmful or offensive messages to the relevant platform.

Benjamin Diez approaches social media from a different angle.
The libero uses it to clear his head and think about subjects unrelated to volleyball, including fishing and bullfighting. He explained that an insult from someone who has lost money betting on a match would not bother him. Criticism from someone he knows, however, could have a greater emotional impact.

For Mathis Henno, managing his public image is an important part of his relationship with social networks.
The young outside hitter said he reads all his messages but only responds to those that are kind or touching. His approach to comments is even more restrictive: he avoids reading them altogether, especially after a defeat, because he sees little value in doing so.

Although their habits differ, the French players interviewed by L’Équipe describe a common principle: social media should remain under their control rather than dictate their emotional state. Some avoid strangers’ messages, others restrict their usage, and some use online content as a way to disconnect from volleyball without becoming immersed in the surrounding noise.
At EuroVolley, where the pressure of representing a national team is accompanied by constant public attention, that distance can become part of an athlete’s preparation. The objective is not necessarily to disappear from the digital world, but to decide when it deserves their attention and when the competition, their teammates and the next point should come first.

Source: L’Équipe, Guillaume Degoulet, “En pleine compétition, les Bleus se détachent des réseaux,” published September 18, 2026.

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