#INSERT type:image caption:Former France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez backs a fast-improving French squad for Euro 2016. END#
Fabien Barthez said the fast-improving France squad will be at their peak in two years' time when they host Euro 2016.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Barthez, 43, was the last line of defence of the France team that won the 1998 World Cup on home soil before going on to conquer Europe at Euro 2000.
Named ambassador for the Euro 2016 host city of Toulouse, which is close to where he was born in southwest France, Barthez will be one of the most prominent public faces of the tournament.
He told Le Parisien, however, he is convinced the squad of his former international teammate Didier Deschamps will be given far more of the limelight for their efforts on the pitch.
"I'm convinced they'll give us a great Euro. I hope they'll use what they learned at the last two big tournaments where they picked up quite a lot of experience. I really have a lot of faith. There is a good team and some good guys. The team is starting to get stronger.
"Even with their clubs, the guys are progressing. There's the little Pogba, Benzema, Hugo. They're going to be 27-28 years old, it's the time when you start to get a real grip of things. It's the right moment to do something wonderful. Moreover, it's in France. I had that it '98, it's really a big stroke of luck," he said.
France reached the quarterfinals of Euro 2012 under Laurent Blanc before Descamps guided them to the last eight of the World Cup in Brazil last summer when they were narrowly beaten by eventual champions Germany.