FRENCH HEROES OF 1998: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
France won their maiden World Cup title beating Brazil 3-0 at home in 1998. As Les Bleus gear up for another World Cup final in Russia, let us find out what the French heroes of 1998 are up to:
FABIEN BARTHEZ
(GOALKEEPER)
The star goalkeeper took up a career in motorsports after retiring from professional football in 2007. He raced for the first time at the Porsche Carrera Cup France in 2008. This year, the 47-year-old participated in his fourth race.
MARCEL DESAILLY
(CENTRE BACK)
Desailly, who was nicknamed the Rock for his playing style, has settled well as a broadcaster and columnist post retirement. The 49-year-old is also a Laureus Academy member and Orphanaid Africa Lifetime ambassador.
EMMANUEL PETIT
(CENTRAL MIDFIELDER)
He scored the third goal in the 1998 final. He is currently an ambassador for the Homeless World Cup movement. The 47-year-old is also the French brand ambassador of online trading broker, Ufx.com.
LILIAN THURAM
(RIGHT BACK)
Known for his versatility during his playing days, Thuram has built reputation as a political activist, campaigner and charity worker since his retirement. The 46-year-old is currently also serving as a UNICEF Ambassador.
BIXENTE LIZARAZU
(LEFT BACK)
After his football career got over, Lizarazu chanced his arm in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (a kind of martial arts). This year, he was named an ambassador of German club Bayern Munich. The 48-year-old is also a good surfer and appears on French television as a football pundit.
YOURI DJORKAEFF
(ATTACKING MIDFIELDER) Djorkaeff currently runs the Youri Djorkaeff Foundation. Founded by the 50-year-old footballer, the New York-based foundation works for the empowerment of under-privileged children.
FRANK LEBOEUF
(CENTRE BACK)
He has taken to acting and broadcasting post retirement. He has appeared in many stage plays and films with his role of a Swiss doctor in Stephen Hawking biopic ‘The Theory of Everything’ standing out.
STEPHANE GUIVARCH
(CENTRE FORWARD) The 47-year-old Guivarch, who’s name means 'stallion' in the Breton language, now lives in his hometown of Concarneau and sells swimming pools.
CHRISTIAN KAREMBEU
(CENTRAL MIDFIELDER) He is currently the Strategic Advisor of Olympiacos FC. He is also part of a Paris-based firm that works for the expansion of football with a Pacific Island team.