Recruited in 1987, the international defender of the Seleçao was a major cog in Montpellier in the 1980s, sparkling in the championship and in the Coupe de France. One of the first big stars of the MHSC.
An 84-page Midi Libre special issue
Condensing half a century of history into 84 pages. This is the challenge taken up by the sports editorial staff of Midi Libre in this special issue on the 50th anniversary of the MHSC. Available on newsstands on December 11 for only 5 euros, this glossy magazine will make you relive the great moments in the history of the Montpellier club through our “50” who made the MHSC. Players, coaches and builders, obviously, starting with this “Nicollin Saga”, told by Laurent and Colette, the wife of the late Loulou. A special issue full of anecdotes and unpublished photos with an exclusive interview with Olivier Giroud.
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A first clap of thunder resonates in the Mosson sky in the summer of 87. A fan of lavish recruitment, Louis Nicollin debauches Julio César in Brest. He arrives at Fréjorgues airport under the flashes.
Loulou combines the Brazilian defender with the former Yugoslav international Nenad Stojkovic, present at Euro 84, to strengthen the defense and the rise to the first division.
Quarter-finalist of the World Cup against the Blues of Platini
The Brazilian emperor, aged 24, belongs to the legend of Guadalajara, quarter-final for eternity of the Mexican World Cup in 1986. Against the Blues of Platini, he smashed the post of Joël Bats, during the series of shots on goals, and the football-samba of the generation of Socrates, Falcao, Zico…
Julio César is the first major world star to discover Mosson. In line with the great defenders of the Seleçao (1.90m), he combines firepower with reassuring elegance.
“He gave the impression of playing in front of children”
“He was so easy that he gave the impression of playing in front of children. He was so calm, he never tackled,” remembers full-back Pascal Baills who is even surprised by his arrival in Montpellier.
After a first season finishing in 3rd place, Julio Cesar won everyone over. The Brazilian international enjoys the southern sun, like Paulo Cesar and Jaïrzinho in Marseille a few years earlier. He leads the dance in the nights of the Copacabana, breaks a few hearts.
“He loved the party”
“He loved the party,” says Pascal Baills. “The day after Julio's mother's birthday, and a heavy defeat in front of Nantes, the Boss came to Grammont. He was furious. He had thrown a major tantrum.”
In the spring of 90, coach Michel Mézy, who succeeded Aimé Jacquet in February, formed a hinge as ephemeral as it was legendary: Blanc-Julio César. The first will leave for Naples in 91, the Brazilian precedes him by a year at Juve. Emperor in the Catenaccio Empire.
