” It is West France ? I often go to Rennes because my wife is Breton, I had to accept this interview! » As usual, Bafétimbi Gomis had a smile on his face when he picked up his phone. An emblematic character of Ligue 1, the one who was exported to the four corners of the world then spoke before the derby between OL and AS Saint-Étienne, this Sunday, November 10, as part of the 11e day of Ligue 1.
The 39-year-old French international, who officially announced his retirement on DAZN during the 125e derby, looks back directly at this globe-trotting career and his memories in Lyon and Saint-Étienne. The “panther” also talks about Stade Rennais and Brittany, where he could see himself settling down in a few years…
“Bafé”, what has become of you since your departure from Japan at the end of last season?
I live in Lyon, I am a father of three children, a husband and a football fan.
You said in a recent interview that you chose to go to Japan because your children were going to learn a lot there. Was this one of your motivations to join the Kawasaki Frontale in 2023?
I was very busy during my career playing in European Cups, I was every two or three days in the four corners of the world. When you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to join this kind of club, where you can live in a city like Tokyo, to provide this experience to your children and your family, you should not deprive yourself. I remember saying to myself: “Come on, let’s jump on the plane and make the most of this career which gives us the opportunity to also learn about life and about others.”
“I was the darling of the fans in Türkiye”
After your departure from OL in 2014, you began a journey around the world in England, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Japan, even if you returned to OM for a season in 2016-2017. Looking back, what do you think of this globe-trotting career?
I am very proud, even more so of my experiences abroad, without denigrating our Ligue 1 which has given me a lot and which I love so much. But these experiences elsewhere also taught me on the ground, about my life and about myself. Going to a country like Turkey, with this city of Istanbul and all its history, then going to Riyadh, in the Middle East, these places that we show to our children today on TV… When we talk about Muslims, they are not necessarily “the Muslims”: they are individuals, they are you and me. It was a chance for mine to see that. And then finishing in Japan with its culture, tradition and respect, it was very enriching.
When you signed for Galatasaray in 2017, you were welcomed by 1,200 people at Istanbul airport. Is the craze indescribable in Türkiye?
It was huge, especially when you play for Galatasaray, the biggest Turkish club. We have pressure every weekend. There are such demands from the supporters, sometimes it's even too much, but that's what you need when you reach a certain age. We go there to experience big evenings, stadiums in turmoil. It's true that emotions sometimes take over on both sides. When you win, there is excess. And when you lose, there are too. You have to accept everything.
You said that you never pay for the restaurant in Türkiye because there was always a fan who settled the bill before you…
Yes, it's true. Turkish people are very generous and very emotional people. I was their favorite and I got preferential treatment (laughter).
“Religion, a red thread in my head so as not to lose my way”
Despite the championship title in 2023, you had a complicated last season at Galatasaray, sadly marked by a deadly earthquake in February. How did you get through an event like that?
We are never safe when we are there, we are in this seismic zone. But the Turks still manage to find this strength behind… After the earthquake, a young child of twelve was found under the rubble with my jersey in Hatay. I took care of him, it was normal that I guaranteed that he would find a school and that I relocated him with his father because he had lost his mother and his sister in the earthquake. I hope the good Lord will spare us from all kinds of disasters in the future.
READ ALSO. “I am on my farm with my pigs, my goats and my donkey”: what is becoming of you Gaël Givet?
You have loudly proclaimed your Catholic faith. How has religion influenced your career?
It was important. I think you have to have faith, you have to believe in something, but that remains a personal opinion. When difficult things happen to you, it's important to hold on to our faith. Today there are wars, there are all kinds of things in the world. It's very difficult when something bad happens to you. When you have faith, it allows you to hold on, to be strong, to find where to take refuge, to collect yourself and, above all, to have a guideline. It's a little red thread above in my head so I don't get lost.
You joined Saudi Arabia in 2018 before the big recruitment wave of recent years. What motivated you to join Al-Hilal at the time?
I made this choice because it was already Al-Hilal, we can compare this club to the Real Madrid of Asia. After winning everything in Türkiye, I had…
