A French women’s soccer icon has been crowned the best
This former US recording artist is the subject of a movie at the cinema.
Never let go, a well-chosen title for his biography (1), released in 2018. Because Marinette Pichon needed passion and stamina to become one of the greatest soccer players in history. After a young man crushed by an abusive father, he uses tenacity to rise to the top level in a sporting environment that doesn’t want to bet on female players.
In 1994, she was selected for the French women’s national team, then crossed the Atlantic at the dawn of the 2000s, becoming the first French player to turn professional with the Philadelphia team. Marinette Pichon breaks all records. he has 112 caps for the French national team, was the all-time top scorer (men and women combined) until Eugenie Le Sommer dethroned him in 2020, and was also the first French after training. football player to comment on men’s matches. A new feat has now been added to his list. At the age of 47, she is the only French sportswoman to have appeared in a biographical film (2). As the Women’s World Cup approaches (July 20 to August 20), the icon of the sport looks back on her journey and the hurdles still plaguing her descendants on the pitch.
In the video: the sensational history of women’s football
Football as an outlet
Madame Figaro. – Being the heroine of a biographical film is another victory.
Marinette Pichon. – It flatters my ego, but the most important thing for me is for others. I was not immediately aware of the social and symbolic impact of my career. If today I serve as an example for some players or young girls who are struggling to find their place, it is an honor for me. No dream is impossible to achieve if you believe in your potential, regardless of background and obstacles. If I had listened to others, I would never have done anything. Sometimes I put both my knees on the ground, but I always got up.
When did you feel you hit rock bottom?
From my birth until I left home. Children should grow up in a peaceful, benevolent, safe environment, but my sister and I started life with a great disadvantage. our father was violent, alcoholic, criminal (he was sentenced to ten years in prison for sexually assaulting the player’s grandmother, editor’s note.) Working on my own self-confidence was an obstacle, even if my mother, a true heroine, always tried to compensate for our misfortunes. I wouldn’t be here without her and my sister.
Football was your outlet.
Yes, and my lifeline. He allowed me to make no mistakes, to direct and vent my anger. It was the only place where I didn’t feel marginalized because of my social background or my choices. On the contrary, I felt appreciated, I had a feeling of being in my place. Apart from my mother, it was the first time that people looked favorably at me and what I could achieve. When Jean-Claude Richel, my first coach, gave me the bib to join the boys’ team, he proved to me that nothing is impossible. Treating me as an equal, without favoritism, he trivialized the fact and facilitated my integration when it wasn’t obvious. This is the most beautiful proof of respect I have ever received.
A long struggle
Has your homosexuality been a source of discrimination in your career?
No, but I didn’t have any role models to look up to and I had a hard time accepting myself. I came out, but, knowing about the taboos, I did not allow myself to live fully. When my wife, Ingrid, came into my life, she taught me to let go. Today I am me and I achieve only what I want.
THE: Sexismwas it a burden in your career?
Being in the French national team was a privilege that sometimes made us forget some inconveniences, for example, the comments about our shape. But the indifference towards us has always surprised me. I ended my career to enjoy life with my wife and our eldest son from her first union, but also because we were not granted professional player status in France, I was upset. I am scandalized to see that the federation did not capitalize on the 2019 World Cup. Twelve years after my retirement, nothing has changed.
For what ?
We lack leaders who want to be part of the change. Lyon Olympic president Jean-Michel Aulas was the first to look to men’s remedies to inject them into the women’s teams, but he is an exception. Many are afraid of not making the investment profitable and are waiting for Olympic medals or the World Cup to justify the investment. But it is the serpent that bites its own tail; lack of infrastructure for training is not a favorable condition for exploits. Not to mention the obligation to have a parallel job, because without a professional status, without a salary.
It’s a double jeopardy…
Absolutely, because whoever says double day, says hourly amplitude, fatigue… It is one of the great injustices among players. Two or three clubs have the ability to pay players, a few hours are provided by the federation thanks to the labor integration agreement, but most French players only receive bonuses, which are not enough. The rates were supposed to go up, but my first bonus in the French team was 210 francs (about 32 euros, editor’s note) with displacement.
After the game
As for the issue of children of high-level female athletes?
It is a difficult choice that is often postponed. We fear that the body will not recover, from losing the confidence of the coaches… Amel Majri was the first French international to become a mother during his career and I admire his courage because there is a real risk. I made this choice after my retirement, but it was not easy. I wanted to take our second son, but unsuccessfully. my body prevented me from doing intense sports.
Was your conversion difficult?
No way. Since I was posted, I was quickly requested. I have also always predicted so that I could choose my path and not suffer it. I have a master’s degree in the management of professional clubs and today I am the general manager of the Montreal club and a consultant for the Quebec TV channel, for which I will commentate the World Cup.
What are the challenges of this next World Cup?
I have always fought for the professionalization of French players. The more media coverage and public interest, the more sponsors will come and the federation will find us worthy of interest.
(1) Never let goBy Marinette Pichon, First Editions, 2018.
(2) Marinette, by Virginia Verrier. Released on the 7thJune.
Olivier Giroud shirtless in a video against homophobia in the world of football
Source: Le Figaro
