In Memoriam: Thierry Gilardi, Voice of French Football, 1958-2008

If you’ve ever caught any clip of French football commentary (in French), chances are that you’re familiar with the rough, enthusiastic voice of Thierry Gilardi.

For more than twenty years he provided commentary for French football and rugby. His voice is inseparable for me from the French game. Whenever I’m searching out a video clip from France national team history, he seems to be narrating: France’s World Cup qualifiers in 1998, their Euro victory in 2000, their advance to the World Cup finals in 2006… All given to us with heart and passion. After Zidane’s headbutt of Marco Materazzi in that final, it was his anguished, “Mais pourquoi? Mais pourquoi?” (”But why? But why”) that was broadcast and rebroadcast around the world.

Sadly, that voice has been silenced. M. Gilardi passed away on March 25 of a heart attack at the age of 49.

A lifelong sports fan, he started reading the French sports daily l’Equipe at the age of six. He grew up playing rugby, and once said, “Football is my trade, but rugby is my passion.” But you couldn’t tell it by listening to his football commentary. His love of the game came through in everything he did and said.

He passed away just one day before the France-England friendly in Paris, a game he was scheduled to announce. Shocked game organizers quickly put together a minute of silence in his honor.

But the best tribute of the night came during the game from French winger Franck Ribéry.

In the course of play, France striker Nicolas Anelka was taken down in the box by England keeper David James. The ref pointed to the spot, and Ribéry sent the ball home for what would turn out to be the winning goal. In celebration, he took off his jersey to reveal the pictured tribute to Gilardi, and then he took a victory lap. He was, of course, promptly booked.

I’m fairly certain he’d say it was worth it.

Below is the “Mais pourquoi” clip, one of many that I’ll remember him for.

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