Sacred world champion with the Blues in 1998 then European champion two years later, Robert Pirès helped to write among the most beautiful beaches in the history of the French team. The rest was nevertheless much more complicated for the old Gunner.
In 2002, at the top of his art, the player trained at the Reims stadium was seriously injured in the knee a few months from the World Cup in South Korea. And two years later, the arrival of Raymond Domenech on the bench of the French team was to rush the end of his international career.
The former hopes coach summoned him well for the first two gatherings but the trip of the Blues to Cyprus, on October 13, 2004, set an end to his history in selection. A final point for the least bitter. Holder in the midfield alongside Patrick Vieira and Olivier Dacourt, Robert Pirès was indeed released at the break to be replaced by Daniel Moreira. What cause bitterness that has not disappeared two decades later.
For Robert Pirès, Raymond Domenech is “zero”
“I looked at the second half in the parking lot, so much I wanted … Anyway. It ends in a parking lot, in Cyprus… ”, Did he blow at Smaïl Bouabdellah for the Kampo podcast, explaining that he did not want to talk to the tricolor coach: “Who am I going to talk about it to?” In Raymond? Never ! My adventure ends in a parking lot, I was so upset. This is one of the few times I was upset. Half-time in Cyprus, we win 2-0, he takes me out. He does: 'Well I make a change, Robert you leave your place, Daniel you come back.' It ended like that with him. ”
And for Robert Pirès, the reason for this downgrading is clear.
“Why did he do that?” Because he's bad! “, he concluded about the former tricolor coach …
