Yoann Gourcuff, a former teammate empties his bag

Since retiring from sports in 2019, Yoann Gourcuff has almost completely disappeared from the radar. Except during a few charity events, such as for the 100^e anniversary of the Girondins de Bordeaux in May 2024 or for a match between the legends of FC Nantes and the Variétés Club de France last June, the former playmaker (39 years old) is very discreet.

The former French international (31 caps), announced very early on as the new Zinedine Zidane, nevertheless made an impression during his career. Particularly in Ligue 1 with the Aquitaine club. In two seasons spent at FCGB, from 2008 to 2010, the former attacking midfielder delighted football fans, notably winning the title of French champion in 2009.

Marouane Chamakh, his teammate at the time, remembers the special connection he had with him. For the ex-Moroccan striker, who then moved to Arsenal, Yoann Gourcuff is the player with whom he got along best. “We were connected on the same frequency”he recalls in the podcast
Kampohosted by journalist Smaïl Bouabdellah.

The two personalities of Yoann Gourcuff

“These are only good moments because we did everything we had to do on the pitch and behind it we were rewarded with this title of champion of Francehe confides.
For me, it was this match in Rennes (April 29, 2009, editor’s note) that marked me with Yoann. There are ten of us, it’s the year of the title, and I think that it’s this match which triggers a lot of things behind. »

That day, the Bordelais won at the Stade de la Route de Lorient (3-2) despite a very quick goal from Romain Danzé (1^e) and the expulsion of Marc Planus (27^e). After Yoan Gouffran’s equalizer on the hour mark (62^e), the artist Gourcuff entered the scene and took control of the meeting. “He’s already showing his way of playing”recalls Marouane Chamakh.

“He also shows mental strength because he doesn’t give up, he pulls us up. And there you have it, that’s the real Yoannhe continues. We know that he is a somewhat introverted person. But that’s his nature, he’s a little shy, that’s Yoann off the field. But on the pitch, he is a leader and it is he who took us to the top. » A great tribute to a great player.