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2018 World Cup winners France has a hot Filipino goalkeeper
France defeated Croatia in the recently concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals, 4-2. It is the highest scoring finals since 1966, and France is celebrating hard.
This is the team's second victory in two decades, last lifting the World Cup trophy on home soil in 1998.
But France's win hits closer to home: Their goalkeeper, Paris-native 25-year-old Alphonse Areola, is actually born to Filipino parents.
A post shared by Alphonse Areola (@areolaofficiel) on
He is the only Filipino in the French National Men's Football Team.
According to a Balitanghali report, Areola represented France in the Youth Category of numerous Football tournaments until he was promoted as a member of the Senior Squad.
He played a crucial role in France’s win in the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013 held in Turkey, and is consistently considered as one of the best keepers of his generation.
A post shared by Alphonse Areola (@areolaofficiel) on
Bien arrivé à Clairefontaine ! ????????????????@equipedefrance #fiersdetrebleus
A post shared by Alphonse Areola (@areolaofficiel) on
But while truly very French, Areola's Filipino heritage is on full display.
Posting a photo of himself with his Lebanese wife Marrion, a portion of Areola's caption read, "mahal kita."
7ans à mes côtés babydoll ???? mahal kita @areola.marrion
A post shared by Alphonse Areola (@areolaofficiel) on
He even celebrated Pia Wurtzbach becoming Miss Universe!
@piawurtzbach Congratulation to our miss Universe #Philippines #Proud #MissUniverse2015
A post shared by Alphonse Areola (@areolaofficiel) on
— Aaron San Mateo/LA, GMA News
