Ils sont 22 à avoir remporté la première Coupe du monde de l’histoire du football français en 1998

But this victory had a bitter taste for some players, deprived of this moment. This is the case of this former French international, referring to a “difficult moment” caused by Aimé Jacquet.

Zinedine Zidane, Bixente Lizarazu, Didier Deschamps or Thierry Henry entered French football history by winning the World Cup on a July evening in 1998 after a memorable match against Brazil (3-0)

They were 22 to achieve glory, but other players could have claimed a spot in the squad. A few weeks before the start of the competition, Aimé Jacquet excluded six players: Ibrahim Ba, Sabri Lamouchi, Martin Djetou, Lionel Letizi, Nicolas Anelka, and Pierre Laigle. The latter, interviewed by L’Équipe last February, was marked by this episode.

“A difficult moment”

“I would have liked to play in the 1998 World Cup,” said the former RC Lens player when asked about the biggest regret of his career. “I got injured four days before the opening match of the Stade de France with the Blues against Spain (1-0, on January 28, 1998). My shoulder popped out during training with the Samp’. I had to forfeit. A big blow. I only returned to the group in April, but didn’t play… And there was this day at Clairefontaine where Aimé Jacquet tapped me on the shoulder: ‘Tonight, meet me in the room.’ There were six of us. A tough moment.”

“At first, Aimé Jacquet, I didn’t want to hear about it anymore…”

“Every time reserve lists are mentioned, it comes up again,” Pierre Laigle continues. “Despite everything, I was happy that the team won because I am French above all. Afterwards, I participated in the charity matches of France 98, even though, in the beginning, I didn’t want to hear about Aimé Jacquet anymore… But I didn’t feel like I belonged. I enjoyed going there until I said stop. They have memories, it revives mine. It was their moment.”