From Ligue 1 to Superstardom: Robert Pires

The flying winger nearly gave up the game before a career in Ligue 1 saw him become a world champion and go on to cement legendary status at Arsenal

Robert Pires wasn’t sure he wanted to be a footballer.

Life was all around him, and he felt like he was missing it. While the 15-year-old’s friends were out partying, seeking romance and finding themselves, for Pires it was simply, study, train, sleep, repeat.

Football had already become a serious business. The precocious teenager was starring as a playmaker in the C team of local club Reims. The sacrifices had begun, and they were taking a toll. Robert wasn’t sure it was worth it, until his mother, Maribel, reminded him of his dream, of what a…