UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

'Bouncing Basque' bids farewell

Members

The former France left-back Bixente Lizarazu is reflecting on "18 years as a professional and a flurry of memories" after announcing his retirement.

Former France left-back Bixente Lizarazu is reflecting on "18 years as a professional and a flurry of memories" after announcing his retirement.

Bayern offer
The 36-year-old FC Bayern München defender has opted against accepting the club's offer of an extra season on the pitch and instead is returning home to start a career as a football pundit on French television. However, his decision to hang up his boots is clearly an emotional one.

Visibly moved
Lizarazu was visibly moved when he heard his former France team-mate Zinédine Zidane pay tribute to him on Sunday. "What I'll remember about him is his motivation from the first minute to the 90th," said Zidane, who will also quit the game this summer, after the FIFA World Cup. "I'm especially proud that I'm a pal of his."

Final curtain
'Le Basque Bondissant' - The Bouncing Basque - won his fifth and final German Cup on Saturday and should claim a sixth Bundesliga title before his final appearance, a league fixture against BV Borussia Dortmund on 13 May. It will mark the end of a long and illustrious career.

Long road
"I have been a professional for 18 years and I have decided to call it a day at the end of the season," said Lizarazu. "It's the end of a long road but also the dawn of a new life as I'll begin another job at [pay-TV channel] Canal+. I want to keep sharing my love of football."

Splendid career
Having started out at FC Girondins de Bordeaux, where he played alongside Zidane and reached the UEFA Cup final in 1996, the Saint-Jean-de-Luz born Lizarazu became one of the most celebrated full-backs of his age. Victories with Les Bleus at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and 2000 UEFA European Championship preceded a UEFA Champions League triumph with Bayern in 2000/01.

Germany calls
When Zidane joined Juventus, Lizarazu left Bordeaux after 244 Ligue 1 matches for Athletic Club Bilbao in Spain's Basque Country, but it was not to be a dream move. "It lasted only one season," he explained. "After only six months, it did not feel right." Fortunately, then Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld brought him to Germany in 1997.

Fitting finale
Player and club proved to be well matched, and under Felix Magath, Lizarazu looks likely to finish the campaign by toasting the first back-to-back league and cup doubles in German history - a fitting finale. "In my eight-and-a-half year spell here, I have appreciated the respect Bayern have shown me," said Lizarazu, who rejoined the Bavarian giants in January 2005 following a six-month spell at Olympique de Marseille.

France legend
He has made 173 Bundesliga appearances to date, while with Les Bleus, he played 97 times before signing off after UEFA EURO 2004™. Olympique Lyonnais' Eric Abidal now fills his position in the national team, but France's best ever left-back is unlikely to be forgotten.

Selected for you