This is the incredible story of Manae Feleu.
She grew up 16,000 kilometers from mainland France, on a tiny island in the Pacific. Her childhood was modest and simple: school, fishing, dancing, walking... and later rugby, learned from her father and shared with her brother and sister.
But Futuna doesn't have a high school. So Manae left for New Zealand to study, with the intention of becoming an English teacher. In a country where rugby is almost a religion, she played, progressed and blossomed.
Until the day came for her to suffer an injury: a cruciate ligament rupture.
Before her operation, she wanted to understand. She watched a video of what was about to be done to her in the operating room. It all clicked for her: "Medicine is incredible.
Her vocation was born.
A few years later...
She's in her 5th year of medicine in Grenoble
And tomorrow, she will take to the field as captain of the French national team against Italy, in the first match of the World Cup in England.
An extraordinary career.
Bravo Manae. You inspire far beyond the pitch.
It's a source of great pride for the agency to be able to support you on a daily basis.
Thank you Karim Ben Ismail for highlighting this career path for L'Equipe Magazine.
Editor in chief : Antoine Bourlon
Journalist: Karim Ben Ismail
Photographer: Franck Seguin
Agency: Sport Development & Management