Laurent Robert

Laurent Robert (born 21 May 1975) is a French former professional footballer. He played as a left winger, and represented the France national team.

Laurent Robert
Robert in 2011
Personal information
Full name Laurent Robert[1]
Date of birth (1975-05-21) 21 May 1975[2]
Place of birth Saint-Benoît, Réunion
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[3]
Position(s) Left winger[4]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1999 Montpellier 124 (19)
1999–2001 Paris Saint-Germain 61 (24)
2001–2006 Newcastle United 129 (22)
2005–2006 → Portsmouth (loan) 17 (1)
2006 Benfica 13 (2)
2006–2007 Levante 13 (0)
2008 Derby County 4 (0)
2008 Toronto FC 17 (1)
2008–2009 Larissa 6 (0)
Total 384 (69)
National team
1999–2001 France 9 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Robert began his professional career in his native France before making a move to English side Newcastle United, where he made his reputation as a free-kick specialist. His career has been noted for a number of high-profile disagreements with club management.[5][6]

Early life

Robert as born in Saint-Benoît, Réunion.[7]

Club career

Early career

Robert started his career at Montpellier, before signing for Paris Saint-Germain in 1999, and became a full international that summer. In a Champions League match against Rosenborg in 2000 he set up the sixth goal in a 7–2 win.

Newcastle United

In 2001, he joined English club Newcastle United for a fee of £9.5 million. During his stay at the club, Robert was known for his pace and crossing ability, and was often called upon to take corners and free kicks. He had a tendency to shoot from long ranges in both open play and free kicks (scoring four goals in the 2004–05 campaign, all from set pieces) and has scored from almost 40 yards (37 m) from goal – one of his most powerful shots has been measured at around 75 mph. The club qualified for the UEFA Champions League in his first season by finishing fourth, their best finish in five years. However, at the start of the following season, there were reports he was unhappy at the signings made by Bobby Robson in the summer of 2002. Despite this, he still chipped in with the goals as the club made it to the second group stage of the Champions League before finishing third in the Premiership.

His partnership on the left wing with full back Olivier Bernard earned the two reputations as fans' favourites for their displays. Robert's trademark corners and free kicks, combined with his pace and athleticism, added to his reputation in England. He scored many long-distance wonder goals and free kicks, including two against Tottenham Hotspur in December 2003 in a 4-0 win. It has been regarded as one of his finest displays.[8] Newcastle went on to finish a slightly disappointing 5th when compared to the 3rd they achieved in the 2002-03 season, but still managed to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup despite the effect of injuries.

Robert spent several seasons at the club, before publicly falling out with manager Graeme Souness.[6] His public criticism of the latter, as well as the entire Newcastle squad, resulted in Newcastle's desire to offload the troubled winger following the 2004–05 season. In his last match as a Newcastle player, Robert stripped down and threw his clothes into the Gallowgate End.

Portsmouth

Following his time at Newcastle United and a falling out with the club, Robert moved to fellow Premier League team Portsmouth in June 2005 on a year-long loan, with two additional years agreed following the completion of the loan.[9] The deal was created in order to expedite Robert's exit from St James Park, while allowing Portsmouth to protect themselves from Robert's well-documented temperament.

In his time at Portsmouth, Robert scored only one goal, in a 2–1 away loss to West Bromwich Albion.[10] He refused to sit on the bench for the club's 4–1 win over Sunderland, storming out of the ground despite the relegation-threatened club's position. His actions left the club with only four substitutes of a possible five for the match.[5] Following the sacking of Alain Perrin and the reappointment of Harry Redknapp as manager, Robert was reinstalled to the lineup for the final games of 2005, but would shortly be followed by Robert's return to Newcastle after his unsuccessful stint. Newcastle would again look to offload the winger as soon as possible, and a move to Portugal would materialise.

Benfica

It was not long before he signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Ronald Koeman's Benfica side. Robert said: "This is a super club. To be able to play in the Champions League is fantastic and that's why I am here". He added: "They showed a lot of interest in me. I am very happy to be here."

Robert's first goal in the Portuguese Superliga was, not surprisingly, from a free-kick 40 yards (37 m) away against arch-rivals FC Porto. A powerful but fairly central free kick was spilled into the net by Vítor Baía.

Levante

Robert signed for Spanish La Liga side Levante UD on 11 July 2006 on a free transfer from Benfica. He played thirteen games before the season ended, twelve of those were incomplete (with one red card), scoring no goals.

Derby County

Following a trial at Derby County, Robert signed a contract that would run until the end of the 2007–08 season.

Toronto FC

Major League Soccer side Toronto FC announced on 2 April 2008, that they had signed Robert to a contract.[11] He made his debut on 5 April, against D.C. United in the 4–1 loss. Robert impressed, delivering a number of excellent set piece opportunities. Robert continued to impress in his team's second match against Los Angeles Galaxy, delivering a free kick, from which the subsequent rebound was converted by Jarrod Smith en route to a 3–2 victory, Toronto's first of the 2008 season. On 19 April, Robert scored his only MLS goal from a free kick in the 31st minute of the first home game for Toronto against Real Salt Lake, and was named "Man of the Match" in the 1–0 victory. In his last game with the team he was substituted at half-time. He was waived by Toronto FC on 19 August 2008.[12]

Larissa

Super League Greece side Larissa announced on 27 August that they signed in Robert for two-years, as a replacement for Nektarios Alexandrou who was released from his contract a few days before. He joined up with his former Newcastle teammate Nikos Dabizas.

International career

Robert appeared nine times for France, making his debut against Northern Ireland on 18 August 1999. He scored his only goal for his country on 15 November 2000 in a 4–0 win over Turkey.[13] He was also selected for the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.

In film

Robert's goal against Liverpool in the 2004–05 season at St James' Park is used as the winner against the same team in Goal!. Character Santiago Muñez (Kuno Becker) strikes it and it zooms out as Robert's free kick hits the top corner. In Goal! 2: Living the Dream..., his overhead kick against Fulham is featured as Muñez's goal at the start.[14]

Personal life

Robert's son Thomas is also a footballer. He signed for Scottish club Airdrieonians in July 2020 after leaving Montpellier.[15]

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Montpellier 1994–95[16] Division 17070
1995–96[17] Division 121510225
1996–97[16][17] Division 1381321[lower-alpha 1]0423
1997–98[16][17] Division 126220282
1998–99[16][17] Division 13211403611
Total 124191021013521
Paris Saint-Germain 1999–2000[16][18] Division 128953—3312
2000–01[16][18] Division 132151010[lower-alpha 2]34318
2001–02[18][19] Division 11000104[lower-alpha 3]464
Total 6124731478234
Newcastle United 2001–02[20] Premier League3683131—4210
2002–03[21] Premier League275101011[lower-alpha 2]0405
2003–04[22] Premier League356221114[lower-alpha 4]35212
2004–05[23] Premier League313402010[lower-alpha 1]2475
Total 129221037235518132
Portsmouth (loan) 2005–06[24] Premier League1710000—171
Benfica 2005–06[25] Primeira Liga13231—4[lower-alpha 2]0203
Levante 2006–07[26] La Liga13000——130
2006–07[26] La Liga0000——00
Total 1300000—130
Derby County 2007–08[27] Premier League409090—40
Toronto FC 2008[26][28] Major League Soccer171——4[lower-alpha 5]0211
Larissa 2008–09[29] Superleague Greece600000—60
Total 38469134247581247992
  1. Appearance in UEFA Cup
  2. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. Appearances in UEFA Intertoto Cup
  4. Two appearances in Champions League, twelve appearances two goals in UEFA Cup
  5. Appearances in Canadian Championship

Honours

France

References
  1. "Acta del Partido celebrado el 17 de junio de 2007, en Bilbao" [Minutes of the Match held on 17 June 2007, in Bilbao] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  2. "Laurent Robert: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  3. "Laurent Robert: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  4. "Laurent Robert". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  5. "Black Cats mauled by Pompey". Sky Sports.
  6. Laurent Robert Archived 1 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Laurent Robert". L'Équipe (in French). Paris. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  8. "Newcastle thrash Tottenham". BBC News. 13 December 2003.
  9. "Pompey say Robert deal permanent". BBC News. 19 June 2005. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  10. "West Brom 2–1 Portsmouth". BBC. 20 August 2005. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  11. Toronto FC (2 April 2008). "Toronto FC sign French MF Laurent Robert". Archived from the original on 8 April 2008. Retrieved 2 April 2008.
  12. Toronto FC (19 August 2008). "Toronto FC waives Laurent Robert". Archived from the original on 20 September 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  13. "Inside Soccer". Archived from the original on 26 July 2011.
  14. "LAURENT ROBERT'S FLAWED GENIUS AT NEWCASTLE".
  15. Grace, Liam (9 July 2020). "Thomas Robert: Laurent Robert's son signs for Airdrieonians". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  16. "La fiche de Laurent Robert". L'Équipe. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  17. "La fiche de Laurent Robert (Montpellier Hérault SC)". Ligue de Football Professionnel. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  18. "La fiche de Laurent Robert (Paris Saint-Germain)". Ligue de Football Professionnel. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  19. "PSG jazzed up by Robert hat-trick". UEFA. 1 July 2001. Archived from the original on 20 August 2001.
    "Okocha inspires PSG to comfortable victory". UEFA. 8 July 2001. Archived from the original on 12 July 2001.
    "Heinze means business for PSG". UEFA. 15 July 2001. Archived from the original on 5 August 2001.
    "Four-goal cakewalk for PSG". UEFA. 21 July 2001. Archived from the original on 5 August 2001.
  20. "Games played by Laurent Robert in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  21. "Games played by Laurent Robert in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  22. "Games played by Laurent Robert in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  23. "Games played by Laurent Robert in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  24. "Games played by Laurent Robert in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  25. "Robert (Pierre Laurent Robert)". ForaDeJogo.net. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  26. "L. Robert". Soccerway. Global Sports Media. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  27. "Games played by Laurent Robert in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  28. "Statistics: Season stats: 2008". Torontofc.Ca. MLS. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  29. "A.E.L. F.C." Superleague Greece. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.