If you spot the author’s name (thrilled!) In the column you start reading, you might want to ask me a question that I can’t get away from for a few days.

My name is one of the most common in France and my surname is one of the most popular in Portugal. Since the two countries face off (21 hours) during the euro period, my case – analogous to the case of a million good people – piques some curiosity in some people: which team will I be rooting for on Wednesday night?

Since July 10, 2016 I have been interrogated. Often innocent, sometimes in order to argue. There was a time when I was young when I expected it. Stay there. Since I was not old enough to mature my thinking, I focused on effects. At home, the blues epic at the 1998 World Cup and then at Euro 2000 did not appeal to the masses, while the national team matches intensified the exchange of views between my father and dozens of brothers and sisters.

Selection period, after adolescence

And because I grew up with this passion and this deep affection for Portugal, I first chose my field of activity “naturally”. Euro 2004, the first competition I can remember, strengthened this bond. For a month, in front of the TV, I saw the colors I liked, listened to the songs that I recognized, and experienced the emotions I dreamed of.

A few weeks later I discovered (rediscovered) a country truly marked by such a brutal result, the final defeat of Greece. Dedicated to the land of my ancestors, tied to my summer vacation destination, I now know a whole nation.

This passion grew a lot during adolescence, as we seek ourselves, where we build ourselves and where we make choices to define who we are before we reach adulthood. My parents were born in Portugal, I was born in France. My family is Portuguese, my friends are French. My traditions are Portuguese, my art of living is French. I have a Portuguese education, I learned everything in a French school.

How can I solve this? Influenced by discussions directed at other societies, when I had just discovered that my dual culture was an opportunity, I decided not to choose.

Am I a fotix?

Since then, it has become impossible to separate this thought from every aspect of my life. And it is not the words of some of the political representatives who prompted Karim Benzema to choose between France and Algeria, while the striker and the vast majority of Blues supporters rejoice at his return to the choice, which I do. stand out from this philosophy.

Does that make me a “fotix” – a kind of insult to fans who have never had a single love in their life? Choose my status as you see fit. But also notice how much I like this French team as well as millions of others: “This is a special game because I know that in the family some will have a T-shirt with a Portuguese T-shirt and others with a French T-shirt.Antoine Griezmann explained at a press conference. He will speak for the rest of the match and the loser will be reserved. Wearing a shirt from France is always a pride. Against Portugal, it’s a little bit special. Illiterate [née au Portugal, NDLR] He will remain in the stands. It’s always a highlightThat would be for me too.

That is why I will be happy on Wednesday night if I have a draw, or a win for Portugal, or a win for France with less than three goals. All these results will preserve the premise of the dream: to celebrate the European title before the final match. as in 2016.