Benjamin Pavard, defender for Inter Milan and the French national team, sparked debate after posting a photo of himself in a white tank top on Instagram. While the post amassed over 120,000 likes, it also drew more than 2,600 comments, many mocking his outfit. Among them, teammates Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Marcus Thuram joined in the banter. However, the collective Rouge Direct, which fights homophobia in football, condemned these reactions, arguing they amplified a wave of homophobic insults. The group called on the French Football Federation (FFF) to remind players of their responsibility as role models.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions in football regarding masculinity and fashion. Once a symbol of hyper-masculinity, the tank top was later embraced by LGBTQIA+ communities as a sign of body confidence and self-expression. Fashion historian Sophie Lamahieu sees it as a “counter-cultural symbol,” while Virgil Lamette and Arthur Ballorin, founders of Ballorin, note that it challenges traditional norms of masculinity.
Pavard’s case underlines the rigid expectations placed on footballers’ self-expression. While figures like David Beckham have pushed style boundaries, football culture remains resistant to change. The strong reactions to a simple tank top reveal the lingering stereotypes in the sport. As inclusivity grows in football, this debate serves as a reminder of the need for greater acceptance both on and off the pitch.
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