Robert Pirès to become FC Metz ambassador | OneFootball

Robert Pirès is to become FC Metz’s ambassador, returning to the club where he began his professional career. The former France international spent 1992 to 1998 at Metz before a 1998 move to OM.

The club said in a statement that he will act as a leading ambassador and raise the Grenats’ profile internationally. It added that he will work with Academy and training-centre players to share his experience and values including hard work, humility, rigour and self-improvement.

Pirès, 52, made 198 appearances and scored 48 goals for Metz, and won 79 caps and 14 goals for France. He retired in 2015 after a spell in China, and already undertakes ambassadorial work for Arsenal while serving as a Canal+ pundit.

A regular visitor to Metz, he made his interest known to Bernard Serin in mid-May, reiterating his enduring attachment to the club. He finished league runners-up with Metz in 1998, then won the World Cup with France shortly after.

In mid-April, alongside Serin and former president Carlo Molinari, he announced a testimonial in his honour at Stade Saint-Symphorien on Tuesday six October.

Metz are targeting an immediate return to Ligue 1 next season. His son Théo, 19, an attacking midfielder, currently plays in the club’s academy.

Source: L'Équipe