Match of the millenium at Charlety stadium : FRANCE 5 – BRESIL 2

A team of approximately 20 former international French players defeated a team of former Brazilian champions 5 – 2 in a match at Charléty stadium in PARIS on Monday evening 8 June. Proceeds from this game, called “The match of the millenium”, went to “Village d’Enfants SOS de France”, an organisation supported by Robert PIRES (FRANCE no.11, Group C). This head-to-head was also the perfect occasion for several big names in French football to say a few words just hours before the World Cup kick-off.

Manuel Amoros (82 caps for the French national team): “I, too, came to celebrate here because I always love to have a chance to play even if it’s on the other side of the barrier. We’re not playing BRAZIL for revenge, but to have fun. There’s no logic in the World Cup. FRANCE needs to win their first match to boost their morale, and if the team can keep its spirits high, then everything will go great.”

Bruno Bellone (former player for the French national team, 34 caps): “Above all else, I am French, so I hope that FRANCE wins. FRANCE won the European Championship in 1984, and we’ve played in the World Cup semi-finals twice. Also, we have home advantage. The most important thing is to concentrate on the match, to forget the spectators and the pressure, and to give it your all.”

Jean-Luc Ettori (former goalkeeper for the French national team, 9 caps): “This FRANCE-BRAZIL match is really great. This is the first time I’ve done anything like it. I was very happy to get back out on the pitch, especially since there were spectators there watching. During the World Cup, I’ll be happy just to get out and see all of the stadiums.”