He left his mark on French supporters in his own way at the time of the 2006 World Cup. Retired thirteen years later, Pascal Chimbonda nevertheless decided to return to the field at the age of forty-four.
Like Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry or Lilian Thuram, Pascal Chimbonda can be proud of being able to mention on his curriculum vitae that he was vice-world champion in 2006. However, the one who was elected the same year, best right back of Premier League, has practically never played for the French team. Not a single second during the famous World Cup won by Italy, and only a few minutes during a friendly match against Denmark in May 2006, when he came on in the 88th minute of play to replace Willy Sagnol. Pascal Chimbonda continued his career until 2019, the year in which he retired. But now he has chosen to put on his crampons again.
The information was relayed on Saturday by RMC who explained that the former defender who became coach of Skelmersdale United, a club playing in the North West Counties League Premier Division (English D9), chose to take back a player’s license. A choice which could actually be explained by Pascal Chimbonda’s desire to escape a sanction from the English Federation. Suspended for five matches, before the sentence was reduced to three matches, the former Sunderland player paid an entry onto the field to separate two players, while his team met Barnoldwick.
Young retiree
Banned from the bench for three matches, Pascal Chimbonda will soon be on the pitch with his men, but with shorts and crampons. The forty-year-old should, however, be able to bring something extra to his team, having kept himself in shape since his years as a retired player.
