Pierre Laurent Robert (born 21 May 1975) is a French former professional
footballer
A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby ...
. He played as a
left winger
A midfielder is an outfield position in association football.
Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. As central midfielders often go across boundarie ...
, and represented the
France national team.
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.
[Laurent Robert](_blank)
Early life
Robert was born in
Saint-Benoît, Réunion.
Club career
Early career
Robert started his career at
Montpellier
Montpellier (, , ; oc, Montpelhièr ) is a city in southern France near the Mediterranean Sea. One of the largest urban centres in the region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Montpellier is the prefecture of the Departments of ...
, before signing for
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain Football Club (), commonly referred to as Paris Saint-Germain, Paris, Paris SG or simply PSG is a professional football club based in Paris, France. They compete in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. As Fr ...
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 from goal – one of his most powerful shots has been measured at around 75 mph. The club qualified for the
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League (abbreviated as UCL, or sometimes, UEFA CL) is an annual club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and contested by top-division European clubs, deciding the competit ...
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
Sir Robert William Robson (18 February 1933 – 31 July 2009) was an English footballer and football manager. His career included periods playing for and later managing the England national team and being a UEFA Cup-winning manager at Ipswich ...
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
Olivier Bernard (born 14 October 1979) is a French former footballer. He announced his retirement after leaving Newcastle United on 16 May 2007. He is currently the owner and CEO of Durham City.
Early life
Bernard was born in the 12th arrond ...
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
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, commonly referred to as Tottenham () or Spurs, is a professional association football, football club based in Tottenham, London, England. It competes in the Premier League, the top flight of English footba ...
in December 2003 in a 4–0 win. It has been regarded as one of his finest displays. 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
A cup is an open-top used to hold hot or cold liquids for pouring or drinking; while mainly used for drinking, it also can be used to store Solid, solids for pouring (e.g., sugar, flour, grains, salt). Cups may be made of glass, metal, porcela ...
despite the effect of injuries.
Robert spent several seasons at the club, before publicly falling out with manager
Graeme Souness
Graeme James Souness (; born 6 May 1953) is a Scottish former professional football player and manager, and current TV pundit.
A midfielder, Souness was the captain of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1980s, player-manager of Ranger ...
.
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
Portsmouth ( ) is a port and city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. The city of Portsmouth has been a unitary authority since 1 April 1997 and is administered by Portsmouth City Council.
Portsmouth is the most dens ...
in June 2005 on a year-long loan, with two additional years agreed following the completion of the loan. 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
West Bromwich Albion Football Club () is an English professional football club based in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England. They compete in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football. The club was formed in 1878 and has pl ...
. 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.
Following the sacking of
Alain Perrin
Alain André Christian Perrin (born 7 October 1956) is a French professional football manager and former player.
Perrin made his managerial breakthrough at Troyes, whom he took from the fourth tier to Ligue 1 and UEFA Cup qualification by winni ...
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
Ronald Koeman (; born 21 March 1963) is a Dutch professional football manager and former player. He is the younger brother of his former international teammate Erwin Koeman and the son of former Dutch international Martin Koeman. Koeman was cap ...
'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 away against arch-rivals
FC Porto
Futebol Clube do Porto, MHIH, OM (), commonly known as FC Porto or simply Porto, is a Portuguese professional sports club based in Porto. It is best known for the professional football team playing in the Primeira Liga, the top flight of Portu ...
. A powerful but fairly central free kick was spilled into the net by
Vítor Baía
Vítor Manuel Martins Baía, OIH (; born 15 October 1969) is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
One of the most decorated goalkeepers of all time, his career was intimately connected with FC Porto, which he started re ...
.
Levante
Robert signed for Spanish
La Liga
The Campeonato Nacional de Liga de Primera División, commonly known simply as Primera División in Spain, and as La Liga in English-speaking countries and officially as LaLiga Santander for sponsorship reasons, stylized as LaLiga, is the men's ...
side
Levante UD
Levante Unión Deportiva, S.A.D. (, ca-valencia, Llevant Unió Esportiva ) is a List of football clubs in Spain, Spanish football club in Valencia, in the Valencian Community, namesake autonomous community.
Founded on 9 September 1909, Levante ...
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
Derby County Football Club () is a professional association football club based in Derby, Derbyshire, England. In 2022, it was announced that DCFC was acquired by Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd, a Derbyshire-based property group.
Founded in 188 ...
, Robert signed a contract that would run until the end of the 2007–08 season.
Toronto FC
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men's professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport's highest level in the United States. The league comprises 29 teams—26 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada ...
side
Toronto FC
Toronto Football Club (commonly known as Toronto FC or TFC) is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home matches at BMO ...
announced on 2 April 2008, that they had signed Robert to a contract. He made his debut on 5 April, against
D.C. United
D.C. United is a professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. that competes in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer, the top tier of American soccer. Domestically, the club has won four MLS Cups (league championships), four Supp ...
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
LA Galaxy, also known as the Los Angeles Galaxy, are an American professional soccer club based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Galaxy competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), as a member of the Western Conference. The club began pla ...
, delivering a free kick, from which the subsequent rebound was converted by
Jarrod Smith
Jarrod Brian Stockley Smith (born 20 July 1984) is a New Zealand professional footballer who currently plays for Team Wellington.
Career
College
Smith moved to the United States after he was recruited by and played three seasons for former W ...
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
Real Salt Lake, often shortened to RSL, is an American professional soccer franchise based in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. The club competes as a member club of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the Western Conference. RSL began play in 2 ...
, 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.
Larissa
Super League Greece
The Super League Greece 1 ( el, Ελληνική Σούπερ Λιγκ 1), or Super League 1, is the highest professional association football league in Greece. The league was formed on 16 July 2006 and replaced ''Alpha Ethniki'' at the top of ...
side
Larissa
Larissa (; el, Λάρισα, , ) is the capital and largest city of the Thessaly region in Greece. It is the fifth-most populous city in Greece with a population of 144,651 according to the 2011 census. It is also capital of the Larissa regiona ...
announced on 27 August that they signed in Robert for two-years, as a replacement for
Nektarios Alexandrou
Nektarios Alexandrou ( el, Νεκτάριος Αλεξάνδρου; born December 19, 1983 in Nicosia, Cyprus) is a Greek Cypriot former professional footballer. He was a left flank specialist, but he primarily played as the left winger.
Care ...
who was released from his contract a few days before. He joined up with his former Newcastle teammate
Nikos Dabizas
Nikos Dabizas ( el, Νίκος Νταμπίζας, born 3 August 1973) is a Greek former professional footballer who played as a defender for Newcastle United, Leicester City, Olympiacos and AEL. He was also in Greece's 2004 European Football ...
.
International career
Robert appeared nine times for
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
, making his debut against
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...
on 18 August 1999. He scored his only goal for his country on 15 November 2000 in a 4–0 win over
Turkey
Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...
. 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
St James' Park is a football stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Premier League club Newcastle United F.C. With a seating capacity of 52,305 seats, it is the eighth largest football stadium in England.
St James' Park ...
is used as the winner against the same team in ''
Goal!''. Character
Santiago Muñez (
Kuno Becker
Eduardo Kuno Becker Paz (born January 14, 1978) professionally known as Kuno Becker, is a Mexican actor and film director who has worked in telenovelas, Mexican cinema, and U.S. cinema. He is best known for his portrayal of Ruben Berrizabal in ...
) 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.
Personal life
Robert's son Thomas is also a footballer. He signed for Scottish club
Airdrieonians in July 2020 after leaving
Montpellier
Montpellier (, , ; oc, Montpelhièr ) is a city in southern France near the Mediterranean Sea. One of the largest urban centres in the region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Montpellier is the prefecture of the Departments of ...
.
Career statistics
Club
Honours
France
*
FIFA Confederations Cup
The FIFA Confederations Cup was an international association football tournament for men's national teams, held every four years by FIFA. It was contested by the holders of each of the six continental championships ( AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, ...
:
2001
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robert, Laurent
1975 births
Living people
2001 FIFA Confederations Cup players
Derby County F.C. players
Expatriate footballers in England
Expatriate footballers in Greece
Expatriate footballers in Portugal
Expatriate footballers in Spain
Expatriate soccer players in Canada
French footballers
Association football wingers
France international footballers
French expatriate footballers
French expatriate sportspeople in Canada
French expatriate sportspeople in Greece
French expatriate sportspeople in Portugal
French expatriate sportspeople in England
French expatriate sportspeople in Spain
La Liga players
Levante UD footballers
Ligue 1 players
Major League Soccer players
Montpellier HSC players
Newcastle United F.C. players
Footballers from Réunion
Paris Saint-Germain F.C. players
Portsmouth F.C. players
Primeira Liga players
Premier League players
S.L. Benfica footballers
Toronto FC players
Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C. players
Super League Greece players
FIFA Confederations Cup-winning players