He will remain the iconic striker of the 2000s. An unstoppable arrow that stacked the pawns on the lawns of France before exporting his talents to the four corners of the continent.
Djibril Cissé has as many caps as passions.
Trainer of attackers at AJ Auxerre, the club of his first loves, he is also a voice listened to in the media landscape and satisfies his taste for fashion and music. Above all, he did not forget anything about a rich and intense career. A great book that he had not completely closed. For the real end clap, there was an event like the character, spectacular and human. Then the Djib put the small dishes in the big ones.
Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba, Robert Pirès, Jay-Jay Okocha, Samir Nasri, Philippe Mexès, Olivier Kapo, Khalilou Fadiga…
All these beautiful people will be gathered at Father-deschampsTuesday, May 27, for a jovial evening around the AJA family.
“There is almost a little nostalgia before the hour”
The feelings are intertwined a few days before the event. Djibril Cissé says he is both ” excited »» And ” stressed »». “” It's an organization, we want everything to go well for people who move. Between the moment when we talked about it a few days before the event, it went quickly. I tell myself that in a few days all this will be over and we will move on to something else. There is almost a little nostalgia before the hour … »».
The concept has been announced for several months: a team of legends of the AJ Auxerre opposed to an eleven CISSE ALL-STARS
“” onions »». Djibril, he will play for his team: a bunch of friends who marked Ligue 1, PlayStation 2 jersey flocked on his back, before flying under other skies. “” Having succeeded in bringing the team of my time, with other Aja legends also to please everyone, I think that my success, it is there. Having Philippe (Mexès), Olive (Kapo), Khalilou (Fadiga), Bonaventure Kalou, Fabien Cool, Jo 'Radet, Jean-Seb' Jaurès, Teemu Tainio, Amdy Faye, Benjani … having managed to find them all! »».
“If people move, it is because they appreciate me, it touches me”
One more proof, too, that a fair career is also human matter. Djibril Cissé has established solid ties and left unforgettable memories in France, Auxerre or Marseille. In England, Greece, everywhere. When so many big fish answer the call for an important day, there is no chance. “” That people respond present like that, it is that necessarily they like you. Because there is nothing to pull for them. There is no profit for them. So if they do it, if they move, it is because they appreciate a minimum. And that touches me a lot. »»
It must be said that the second top scorer in AJA history (70 goals) has never denied the coats of arms that counted for him. Auxerre, it was obvious. “” In addition to that, AJA celebrates its 120th anniversary so everything is a pinch well ”,
he notes. “When we asked ourselves the question of which stage we would do, we did not think long. Auxerre, this is where it all started. It could have been in Marseille perhaps, because I am Arlesian and OM has a place in my heart. But it was Auxerre. »»
“Between coach Guy Roux and I, the proverb of the opposites who attract himself really walked”
Auxerre, Djibril Cissé, Father-Deschamps… How not to mention Guy Roux in the equation? The young technician (43) always has a shining eye when he talks about it. “At 17, 18, I was in another dynamic than his. Tattooed, blond, mad to the extreme. He was earth on earth. It is the coach, huh … The proverb of the opposites who attracts really worked! We had nothing to do but there is a match that was made. I have a lot of respect and love for him, he knows it. And I thank him because without him, I will surely be there. It's beautiful and I really wish everyone to know this relationship with a coach. Today it's more than a coach. When I have an important decision to make, I call it… ”.
AJA is a large family that has built bridges between eras. So who better than the legendary technician to reject the survival in front of his old foals?
“The Aja legends coach cannot be someone other than coach Guy Roux, launches the main interested party, before going there from his little scoop. I associate it with Christophe Pélissier who is an important person also because if I am there in the staff it is also thanks to him. And I am waiting for the All-Stars team, for Jean-Pierre Papin and Arsène Wenger. It's not bad too (smile). »»
Man of heart, Djibril Cissé above all confides that the funds raised for the event will be donated to an association for Maël, a little boy with disabilitiesinontéré a few months ago.
There will be tears, smiles, hinds, laughter and goals, of course: “We are not going to lie, if it's a great party but I have not scored, it's going to be complicated (laughs) »». Style, too: ” A little hair madness? Ah yes, yes! Otherwise it would not be normal. I still hesitate … »». And a jersey that printed the retina. “” I proposed to people three choices of jerseys, I let you guess the one who came out on top. Unanimity not total but almost ”, concludes Djibril Cissé, in reference to the famous tunic in the early 2000s.
You can believe it about it. More than 20 years ago, for his last match at Father-Deschamps, one spring day, the striker Aja had planted two last pawns, in these times when we could still show his jersey to exult after a goal. Icaunais supporters could then read this little message on his t-shirt before his turn of honor: ” Auxerre, forever from my heart »». These words reason strongly, today: the Djib still holds its promises.
Interview by Jean-Charles Danrée, in Auxerre.
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