PROFILE | Valentin Rongier endears himself to initially hostile Rennes fans | OneFootball

Valentin Rongier’s transfer over the summer from Olympique de Marseille to Stade Rennais was always going to raise some eyebrows in the north of France. The 31-year-old midfielder had started his career at Rennes’ bitter rivals, FC Nantes, emerging from the academy and eventually captaining the side. 

Memories are selective, but not short in football, and the Rennes supporters certainly remembered his comments as a Nantes player in 2018, when he said, “[Rennes] is a club that doesn’t appeal to me at all… I couldn’t go there. I don’t even know if I’d be welcome.” Well, he eventually found out. The Rennes ultras, from the moment transfer rumours emerged, put out a statement saying, “Rongier has no legitimacy to wear our colours” and that it would be an “affront” for him to sign. 

This feeling was carried into the first game of the season, and was further incensed by the decision to hand him the captain’s armband. Two banners were unveiled during the win over Marseille criticisng the midfielder and the club for signing him. One read, “To pull a Rongier (expr.): to throw one’s honour in the gutter, to lose all credibility and self-respect,” the other, “Rongier, SRFC management: club culture can’t be bought.” The latter is one Rongier would likely agree with; it can’t be bought… but it can be earned. 

Rongier – a natural-born leader

And he has certainly earned the respect of the Rennes supporters in his short time with the club. A consummate professional, Rongier from the first game showed his ability to orchestrate attacks and terrorise opponents with a relentless desire to win back the ball. 

There is a reason that in each of the three clubs Rongier has played for, he has won the captain’s armband. He is a natural-born leader, a player who seems to have a second sense for organising his teammates. It was the reason why Rennes leapt at the chance to sign him and ignored the hostility that would naturally arise from his arrival. They knew that he was someone who could raise the standards in the team. 

And standards have certainly been raised following a slow start to the season. Rennes won and lost twice and drew six times to start the season, but have since been on an excellent run of form. Rennes have won five of their last six fixtures, the only loss coming to Paris Saint-Germain, and now sit sixth in the table with a spot in the Champions League only five points away. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland