Robert Pirès and Marcel Desailly have other common points than that of having raised the World Cup with the French team on July 12, 1998. During their careers, the former defender (56 years old) and the ex- Offensive midfielder (51) have both evolved at Olympique de Marseille: the first from 1992 to 1993, winning the Champions League before spinning at AC Milan; The second from 1998 to 2000, before signing at Arsenal.
If he has not won the slightest title with OM, finishing second in the championship and failing in the UEFA Cup final against Parma, the one who exploded with the Gunners keeps very good memories of his stay in The Marseille city. The best?
“Certainly when I signed my contract, simply because it represented an additional step in my career”, he says in a video posted on club social networks.
Robert Pirès loved his visit to OM
“I came from a family club, which was FC Metz, and it is true that when the president of the time, Robert Louis-Dreyfus, accompanied by Rolland Courbis who was the coach, came to see me, me Meeting was super important to mehe recalls. Marseille, like today, represented a lot for French football. So for me it was a very good memory. »»
Especially since he literally broke out in the Olympian jersey.
“I have evolved in another role, another registersays the former international tricolor winger (79 selections in blue, 14 goals), which Rolland Courbis was playing as playmaker behind Florian Maurice, with Christophe Dugarry on the left and Fabrizio Ravanelli on the right. I enjoyed myself. I even even had fun on the ground. And above all, the velodrome represents a lot of things. (…) Each time we got out of the tunnel, I had chills. »»
“When he reviews this video, it hurts”
Chills, he felt during a European shock between OM and Chelsea, during the 1999-2000 season. That day, Robert Pirès had given the victory to the sky and white of a memorable goal (1-0, 16e), on a triggered right strike which had struck the two posts, after having placed a Marcel Desailly in pain. “This goal is not bad!”he smiles. It is pretty because I have this success, it is that the ball hits the two posts without touching the ground. »»
“In fact, what I like for this purpose is my control, taking information and acceleration on the Grand Marcel Desaillyhe savor. So he doesn't like it. He doesn't like it at all because when he reviews this video, it hurts. But personally, I'm happy. The entire action is pretty. We feel that something happens at that time between supporters and players. It was just exceptional. »» Not sure that the ex-Roc of Blues is of the same opinion …
