Frank Leboeuf, the sad end

“Tired of being targeted by the news puppets, he doesn't want to spend the season too long”. On May 16, 2002, 15 days before the surprise defeat of the French team against Senegal (0-1) at the opening of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, The Parisian announced Frank Leboeuf's retirement from football. “It’s a bolt from the blue in the blues’ sky”affirmed the daily. Leboeuf, 34, only ended his career with the Blues, since he played a second season at OM before playing in Qatar until 2005.

Visibly tired by the media agitation surrounding the selection, and therefore personally mocked by the satirical Canal+ program, Leboeuf was unable to avoid the collapse of Roger Lemerre's team at the 2002 World Cup. He then formed the central hinge of the reigning world champions alongside Marcel Desailly, after the retirement of Laurent Blanc following Euro 2000. It was not conclusive. Leboeuf notably took an unwelcome red during the group stage defeat against Australia (0-1) during the 2001 Confederations Cup (finally won against Japan).

Leboeuf injured during the 2nd match

Deprived of Zinédine Zidane, injured during the last preparation match, the French followed the defeat against the Lions of Teranga with a sad 0-0 against Uruguay. Thierry Henry was sent off in the 25th minute after a tackle on Dario Silva, but “Frankie” came out in the 16th minute, hit in the groin. End of World Cup on a personal basis. Lilian Thuram was placed back in the center and started with Desailly in the last match against Denmark, for a 2-0 defeat which meant returning home.

Frank Leboeuf therefore concluded his international adventure with 50 selections in French teamfor four goals scored, a double in the 10-0 against Azerbaijan in 1995, and a very important penalty against Andorra during the Euro 2000 qualifiers and a last minute winning goal against South Korea , during the friendly match in Suwon which saw “Zizou” suffer a muscle tear before the World Cup…