Do you remember: Laurent Robert

The Frenchman – Laurent Robert first showed his qualities at Montpellier, where he started his professional career in 1994. He was a typical left winger, who was showing great speed and pace, easily outrunning the defender. But, there was something special in that boy. He was able to score goals from any distance! He was also a free-kick master, making the goalkeepers helpless.

The French giants Paris Saint-Germain were watching at the talented winger and bought him in 1999. In the same year, Robert made his debut for the French national team (on 18th August against Northern Ireland). Eventually the winger recorded 1 goal (against Turkey in 2000) in 9 appearances for France. However, Laurent Robert stayed in Paris for only two seasons, before Newcastle pay £9.5 m. for the Frenchman!

Laurent Robert had a serious impact on The Magpies. He became one of the key players in the team. The Frenchman spent 4 seasons at St. James’ Park and was an integral part of the Newcastle’s starting eleven. He scored 32 goals with the Magpies’ colours. In his 4 years at Newcastle, Robert scored 4 goals against Arsenal, 3 against Liverpool and once against Manchester United. Most of his goals were from direct free-kicks.

It’s interesting that Robert’s goal from a free-kick against Liverpool in 2005, which was crucial for Newcastle to qualify for the Champions League was used in the film “Goal!” To continue with, Robert then played on loan at Portsmouth, before moving to Benfica in 2006. But, why did he leave Newcastle United? He had problems with the new manager Graeme Souness, because Robert criticized him publicly. Moreover, the Frenchman also criticized all the Newcastle squad and the management of the team decided to get rid of one of the best left wingers in The Premier League.

In the last years of his career, Laurent Robert switched several clubs – Levante, Derby County, Toronto FC and Larissa, before retiring in 2009.