The friendly match between Brazil and the France team, Thursday evening in Foxborough, will undoubtedly bring back good memories to many Blues supporters. But also to certain players, including Bernard Lama. Crowned world champion in 1998 with AimĂ© Jacquet’s band, the ex-goalkeeper (62 years old) was that evening of July 12 on the substitutes’ bench as Fabien Barthez’s understudy. A regret? Not so much.
The Guyanese by birth has always been a fan of the Seleçao, and finding them at the Stade de France, in the World Cup final, was enough for his happiness. “It can’t be more intense.” Yes, while being on the ground, and again. When you are aware that thousands of people would like to be in your place, you tell yourself that being on the bench was already goodhe confides in an interview with The Team. There are times when you have to know where to stand. »
Bernard Lama, more than a replacement
“Even as a substitute, I participated, I observed, I helped. I tried not to cause any problems, even if the fact of not playing the third match (against Denmark) was a concern. The goal was not to cause any discomforthe explains. I understood that I should not be on the field but I also understood that I was part of the thing. » He was also one of the first to throw himself into the arms of the “Divine Bald” at the final whistle.
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The only downside was that his father was not present to witness this great moment in his career. “As long as I wasn’t playing, he wasn’t interested. My mother and other family members came, but not him…he laments. We never really talked about it. I think that for him, being number 2 on the France team was not enough. He, in his field, was number 1 in terms of surgery. »
With his dad, who was a specialist in reconstructive surgery in Guyana, Bernard Lama did not always maintain good relationships. “But that’s life, my father was like that… I was a substitute but it’s as if there were two number 1s. I didn’t go out of style, especially since I didn’t play”he smiles. The two men fell out, particularly when the former PSG goalkeeper chose to pursue a career in football.
“It’s like there were two number 1s”
“He inspired me and if I moved up, he let me do it. But it’s true that he didn’t imagine that I would make it my job. However, it was obvious to mesays the one who has 44 selections in blue. This is where it was complicated and where I had to force my way through. There was a psychological battle between us and I didn’t let go. Result ? We didn’t speak anymore, I slammed the door and left home, at 18. »
It was only five years later that contact could be renewed. “Basically, he told me: ‘If you want to play football, you do it!’ I had to complete the challenge he had given me. That’s what I did, continues Bernard Lama. I also had my pride. I was a warrior, a little rebellious. We re-established contact when I started in D1 (with Lille during the 1986-1987 season). There, he could no longer say anything…”
