July 12, 1998 is a date that will remain forever engraved in the history of the French team. It was that day that the Blues won their first star by beating Brazil (3-0) in the World Cup final, including a double of Zinedine Zidane. But this coronation was built earlier, at the announcement of the list of 22 Blues by Aime Jacquet. An announcement that was made in pain.
To prepare for the competition, the tricolor coach of the time first summons 28 players. And, on May 22, 1998, the ax fell for six of them, who left Clairefontaine on the field: Lionel Letizi, Martin Djetou, Sabri Lamouchi, Pierre Laigle, Ibrahim Ba and Nicolas Anelka. A stressful moment on which Robert Pirès returns to the podcast Kampohosted by Smaïl Bouabdellah.
Aimé Jacquet's “incredible” decision
“Even for us it was hardhe recalls.
You don't imagine anxiety. Because he tells you that in the evening, he will choose. You're at the table, at dinner, and you know that after it is the ad. »» The left winger, then aged 21, is all the more tense since he is aware of being in balance to be part of the final group. “Me, of course I was concerned”he says, always amazed by the decision made by Aimé Jacquet.
“In his choice, what is incredible is that he keeps Bernard Diomède, Christophe Dugarry and I on the left side. Even even today, I don't understandhe said. 'Ibou', he plays right in Milan. And it is strong. That's why I don't know. I was in Metz, I was still playing on the left. And Bernard was also hot in Auxerre. 'Duga' Same, he played on the left. He took three guys in the same position. »»
“You don't even imagine how it was tense”
“So in the evening, it was hot, Continues the one has 79 capes in the tricolor jersey. You don't even imagine how it was tense. Not between us, but you felt the atmosphere. How do we learn? Once the announcement is made, we go down when they all leave at the same time. I remember, I was going down the stairs and I see guys with their bags. And they go home. »»
The decision is brutal, but it does not fracture the group.
“It was not easy, but even for loved because he decides to make an extended list but he knows that at some point, he must leave six asideexplains Robert Pirès. In addition, the goal, even if people did not believe in us too much, is to win. And Aimé was turned on. »» Press attacks that he will not forgive
” Never “.
