the final match against Italy. France lost the final 5–3 in a penalty shootout, which Diarra did not participate in. After appearing in a November 2006 friendly match against Greece, Diarra was absent from the national team for nearly two years, partly due to his struggle for playing time in Lyon. As a result, he missed UEFA Euro 2008, although he was named to the competition's preliminary squad. After regaining his form at Bordeaux, Diarra began making his way back into the team and participated in seven 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. He was later selected to participate in his second consecutive FIFA World Cup. France endured a disastrous campaign as the players went on strike in response to its disagreement over the expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka from the team. In the team's final group stage match against hosts South Africa, with several veteran players missing from the squad, Diarra was rewarded with the captaincy for the first time in his international career and led the team to a 2–1 loss, which resulted in its elimination from the competition. Diarra was one of several players retained by incoming coach Laurent Blanc, his former manager. After missing the August 2010 friendly due to suspension, he returned to the team in September playing the entire match in 2–0 wins over both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania. Diarra served as captain in both matches. On 9 February 2011, he captained the team for the fifth time in his career in their 1–0 victory over Brazil. Though, Blanc has yet to declare a permanent captain, Diarra has been declared the favorite to land the armband by several French news publications. Coaching career In 2018, Diarra joined French club Lens as an assistant coach for the club's under-19 side. He eventually became an assistant for the reserve team, and in 2020, for the club's senior team coached by Franck Haise. Diarra left Lens in 2022, joining Troyes as manager of the under-19 side in the Championnat National U19. Career statistics International Source: Honours Lens UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2005 Lyon Ligue 1: 2006–07 Bordeaux Ligue 1: 2008–09 Trophée des Champions: 2008, 2009 Marseille Coupe de la Ligue: 2011–12 Trophée des Champions: 2011 France FIFA World Cup runner-up: 2006 See also Sub-Saharan African community of Paris References External links 1981 births Living people People from Villepinte, Seine-Saint-Denis French people of Malian descent Footballers from Seine-Saint-Denis