Former France international midfielder Yoann Gourcuff (36) gave a wide-ranging interview with Ouest-France. Once touted as a worthy successor to Zinédine Zidane, the Stade Rennais youth product called time on his career four years ago when he terminated his contract with Dijon.
Gourcuff was billed as one of the most talented midfielders France has ever produced. However, recurring injuries and a somewhat introverted personality prevented him from fulfilling his potential. “I liked the game, the training sessions, the matches. But all that was around it, and which was taking more and more importance, and the exposure, I didn’t like it. It was not me.”
Nevertheless, the son of former Rennes and Nantes coach Christian Gourcuff has no regrets about ending his career. Gourcuff still lives in Brittany with his family, and he would not change it for the world. “I immediately switched to a new organisation with my family. I experienced the end of my career very well. I returned to who I am; I am in control. Leaving the world of football did me a lot of good.“
Gourcuff, who was elected Ligue 1 Player of the Year in 2009 when he scored 12 goals and registered 10 assists with league title-winning Bordeaux, said he received opportunities to restart his career, but he never really entertained them. The 32-time France international is playing amateur tennis at regional level in Brittany. “ I have no problem saying that I am a stay-at-home dad. The days are busy, but seeing my children grow up every day is a privilege.”
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
