When he looks in the retro, Jean-Pierre Papin sees his goals and his trophies. But a huge shadow systematically darkens the picture. The biggest regret of his career can be summed up in just two words: “France-Bulgaria. » It doesn’t specify the year, everyone remembers it.
It is November 17, 1993 and the Blues are hosting Hristo Stoichkov’s squad at the Parc des Princes. Four days after missing a great opportunity against Israel (2-3) to qualify for the “World Cup 94” in the United States, a second chance is offered to the Tricolores.
The dream is gone for Jean-Pierre Papin
One point is then enough for Gérard Houllier’s players to get on the plane. Eric Cantona opened the scoring (32e) and puts them on the right track, but the blue train derails barely five minutes later when Emil Kostadinov equalizes (37e). And ends completely in the decor at the end of the meeting.
On a lightning counter-attack, following a poorly measured cross from David Ginola which Gérard Houllier would then describe as
“crime against the team”the Bulgarian striker scores twice with a heavy strike under the crossbar and crucifies the Blues (90e). The American dream is disappearing.
Jean-Pierre Papin during the France-Bulgaria match, November 17, 1993 at the Parc des Princes.
Thirty-three years later, “JPP” still has it in its throat. “It remainshe confides to
The Teamwho will broadcast a documentary on his channel retracing his career on October 19. It’s still a scar that isn’t closed. And I don’t think it will ever close. Never… “
“When you lack a little gumption at the last second…”
” For what ? Because at some point, you need very bad memoriescontinues the 1991 Ballon d’Or, aged 62. This one was unbearable. I managed to erase all the others. I didn’t get to that one. There is always a small fracture that causes it to be missing. »
“Everything that happened after (in 1998) was good. But we, I think we had a very good team and that we could have gone very far toohe regrets. But we lacked a little gumption and when you lack a little gumption at the last second, we don’t have the right…”
