‘Sent a Message Before the Game’—Why This Real Madrid Star is Inspired By Tom Brady The French midfielder sent the NFL legend a text before playing Brazil at Gillette Stadium. Brady spent 20 seasons at Gillette Stadium, home to the NFL’s New England Patriots, winning six Super Bowl rings across that time, before adding a seventh with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to conclude a historic career. He is a big inspiration to Tchouaméni, who follows the NFL and enjoys American culture. “ inspired me,” Tchouaméni added. “We have many great icons in France, but there are many American athletes who inspired me when I was younger. I can name LeBron James, Serena Williams. I grew up watching these people. It was always inspiring.” Tchouaméni and Kylian Mbappé play at the club and national levels together. | Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/ISI Photos/Getty Images France defeated Brazil 2–1 on Thursday, before traveling south to Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. on Sunday to beat Colombia 3–1. Les Bleus—aside from increasing their undefeated streak to nine games and boosting to No. 2 in the FIFA World Rankings—have grown accustomed to American soil this week, just in time forFrance will compete in Group I, facing Senegal, the winner of Iraq vs. Bolivia, and Norway, all in the U.S. and with the final match back at Gillette—exciting news for Tchouaméni. “I’ve always been inspired by American culture, by different sports like basketball and American football,” he said. “My connection to them developed by watching games. For me, for example, playing in the Patriots' stadium, in that legendary stadium, is something special. I know the history of this team and of this stadium. But beyond that, it's also their mentality that has interested me.” Tchouaméni told reporters after the Brazil win: “That was great, especially for me as a football fan. It’s incredible to get the chance to play at the ‘Tom Brady’ stadium.”, France’s training grounds, last week to see the team. Robinson snapped photos with the players; swapped jerseys with French superstar Kylian Mbappé and Tchouaméni; and even had the players try on his helmet and pads.has also embraced American culture, with the French team posting a video to social media on Monday of the Real Madrid striker treating a World Cup soccer ball like a basketball and sinking a perfect shot into the locker room’s waste bin.Sophia Vesely is a writer, reporter and editor for SI FC, with an emphasis on North American coverage. Her experience comes from regional journalism as a former sports reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, Dallas Morning News and Seattle Times. Vesely graduated from Swarthmore College, where she played collegiate soccer as a wingback. She specializes in MLS, NWSL and NCAA soccer.