Retired from the field since 2020 and the end of his adventure at Sporting Lisbon, Jérémy Mathieu returned to the spotlight last year. Consequence of his surprising reconversion. Despite his international status, his time at Barça alongside Lionel Messi and others and his 18-year career, the former Toulouse resident has in fact become head of the football department in an Intersport store. A revelation which sparked strong reactions and some mockery.
Jérémy Mathieu is not, however, an isolated case. Christophe Deguerville certainly had a more modest career but nonetheless has more than 400 matches among the pros, between Saint-Etienne, Lyon and Bastia and a few selections for the Espoirs and the A’. However, the former full-back now works in a supermarket.
When he hung up his crampons in 2003, there was no question of him settling into idleness. “When I stopped, I didn’t really want to continue in football. I didn’t have a diploma and you have to retrain”he explained to the Progress. He tried to launch a career as a youth coach but was quickly cooled. “Most only dream of making money. They don’t have a passion for the game. And then the parents push behind, sure that their child will bring them millions. I don’t know if it’s sad. It’s just the world that’s changing. »
“I need to earn my living”
The native of Ile-de-France then took a break from football and worked in the orchards as a seasonal worker picking fruit. “I need to keep busy and earn my living”he whispers in 2020. But for several years, he has worked in a supermarket, responsible for putting things on the shelves in the early morning. “I have become like millions of other French people, I earn a little more than the minimum wage”he explained.
Christophe Deguerville does not see any downgrading. “After all, I only kicked a ball. That remains my point of view.”he whispered. And despite nearly 250 matches in the green jersey, he pays his place like everyone else when he accompanies his daughter, a season ticket holder, to Geoffroy-Guichard.
