Thierry Henry restored some French pride after last year's disastrous World Cup campaign when he inspired the European champions to a second consecutiveConfederations Cup victory.
The Arsenal striker scored four goals in five games, including the extra-time winner in the 1-0 final victory over Cameroon, to finish top-scorer in the eight-nation tournament.
With national hero Zinedine Zidane missing from the tournament due to club commitments with Real Madrid, it was left to Henry to take over the star mantle.
He didn't disappoint, and the flamboyant striker rewarded the show of national support with excellent play and a slew of important goals.
Raising the trophy after Sunday's match, Henry was singled out for a standing ovation from the often overly-discreet Paris public.
Asked if anything had changed during the competition, Henry said: "Although I tend to appear on the front pages of newspapers more often now, I'm not really doing anything special.
"I just do what I always did. The difference is that now people realise what I'm capable of."
His influence has grown both on and off the pitch, especially in the absence of star players in this tournament such as Emmanuel Petit, Patrick Vieira and Zidane.
Henry admitted that he found it hard to play Sunday's final in the wake of Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe's tragic death but praised both side's players for their on-field tribute.
"I think it was beautiful what we did with the Cameroon players in the middle of the park before the match.
"I think it was important just to try to do something. That was the least we could have done."