1998 world champion and 2000 European champion, Patrick Vieira (43 years old) has one of the best records in French football. With eight titles of champion of Italy (AC Milan then Inter, 5) and England (Arsenal, 3), the former captain of the Blues has 107 selections. Patrick Vieira is a former player that we listen to. After his career, he chose to become a coach, while increasing his charitable commitments (Diambars godfather, UN goodwill ambassador). The technician of OGC Nice, currently confined to the Côte d'Azur, is mobilized in the perspective of a recovery whose contours he imagines for Le Figaro.
LE FIGARO. - In the context of the pandemic, were you afraid for your health?
Patrick VIEIRA . - We have all been confronted, directly or indirectly, with this drama. So we are all worried. We are concerned for our families, friends, colleagues, the frail. But personal worry, which is normal, must be overcome. I am thinking today of exhausted caregivers who have been fighting for weeks against the virus. And all these people, traders, workers, cashiers, who run our daily newspapers. They go beyond worry. They are exemplary.
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In terms of re-athletics, on what date does a resumption of competition seem coherent to you?
It is the first time that we have seen such a long downtime, so we have no benchmarks. What I know as a former player is that with such a long break, and despite the physical programs given to the workforce, it will take weeks before returning to an athletic state compatible with the high level. I will not endanger the health of my players. So if we resume in September, it will take a long preparation. Longer than usual.
Why should professional football change?
Society will change. So, in fact, football will change. And must evolve.
What are the lessons from the past and the present to prepare for the future?
In a sometimes difficult everyday life, we are there to give happiness. It goes through football, of course, but also and above all through this link with the public. If there is one element that must be retained from this crisis, it is this need to be united and together.
"I found that the athletes had shown solidarity during this period"
Patrick VieiraDoes the current period change your outlook on your profession?
Of course, it puts everything into perspective. To replace the role of many trades in our societies. I am a football coach, I have a social role to play, I am aware of it, but I will never be more important than a doctor, a nurse, a nursing assistant or a teacher, for example. What I could do during this period is simple: we have a megaphone with significant resonance, it is crucial to be heard and, failing to indicate the procedure to follow, to be able to help. Through donations, awareness messages…
How can football professionals improve the image of their profession with the general public?
Already, I don't think we have such a bad image. I found that the athletes had shown solidarity during this period. Mathieu Bodmer's initiative, for example, or that of handball player Cyril Dumoulin touched me. Just like that of Corentin Tolisso for people with disabilities. For the next few months, which will be difficult, we must maintain this solidarity. Always being aware of the influence we have on youth.
How do you imagine the profile of a “responsible” professional player for future years?
He is a player who can be as inspiring outside as on the field. A player who takes charge of his destiny before, during and after his career. But it is above all a player who engages in society and who gives to others, who puts his image and his reputation at the service of others. Footballers must tomorrow become masters of their own destiny, players in the development of football and even more committed contributors to the scale of society.
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