Alain Giresse, who celebrates his 73 years, has forever marked the history of French football. Untenable playmaker of the Girondins de Bordeaux, he formed the magic square of the Blues with Michel Platini, Jean Tigana and Bernard Genghini at the 1982 World Cup. The little “Gigi”, sprinting with happiness with the two arms raised, believed to offer qualification in the final to France, scoring the goal of 3-1 in overtime. It is the famous nightmare of Seville, concluded by penalties won by West Germany…
Giresse was then dazzling with “Platoche”, “Jeannot” Tigana and Luis Fernandez, new element of the magic square by Michel Hidalgo, during the 1984 Euro won in France, after a final against Spain at the Parc des Princes (2-0). His Mundial 86 in Mexico is not very brilliant. At least, the midfielder is ghostly during the semi-final lost against the Germans (2-0). It's time for retirement for Aquitaine because it is older than its star teammates. He was almost 34 years old.
The site Chroniquesbleues.fr So tells the little conclusive beginnings of Giress in selection. Stefan Kovacs launched the young Girondins phenomenon in 1974. And the midfielder is truly exceptional in D1. He is technically talented enough to hit full axis and stack the goals. He reached 15 achievements in 1976-1977 and 1977-1978. However, Hidalgo only considers it as the lining of Platini.
Alain Giresse is Platini-Non compatible
And since the Crack of AS Nancy-Lorraine (and soon from AS Saint-Etienne) never comes out, Giresse does not have the opportunity to shine in the French team. Result of the races, the Bordeaux is not part of the “Club France” (as called it
Southwest at the time). He is not summoned for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. The Blues are eliminated in the first round after defeats against Italy and Albiceleste. It was ultimately at 29 in 1981 that Alain Giresse finally won internationally. Michel Hidalgo finally tries to associate Platini with the two Bordeaux Giresse and Tigana.
The great adventure on the front of the stage therefore only lasts five years. Its counter displays 47 selections for 6 goals. “Gigi” considerably adapted his game with the omnipresence of “Platoche”, while he is, in addition to being the most capped player in the history of the Girondins de Bordeaux (592 games), the top scorer in the history of the Aquitaine club (181 goals). Proof of his talent, he finished 2nd in the Ballon d'Or France Football in 1982, behind Paolo Rossi but far ahead of Michel Platini.
