Robert Pires

Pires was born in Reims, France,{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur2883.html |title=Robert Pires |newspaper=L'Équipe |location=Paris |access-date=26 December 2020 |language=fr}} to a Portuguese father and Spanish mother. Pires, the elder of two boys, spent most of his childhood dressed in two football shirts that reflected his divided loyalty. One was a Benfica shirt (his father was a fan) and the other was a Real Madrid shirt. Pires confessed he had difficulty in school because he did not speak French well at the time, due to the fact his parents only spoke Spanish and Portuguese.{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article818672.ece?token=null&offset=24 |newspaper=The Times |location=London |title=Robert Pires the laughing cavalier |first=Paul |last=Kimmage |date=27 October 2002 |access-date=22 May 2010}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} His passion for football was inherited from his father, António, who played with Les Corpo, a local team, and every Saturday night Pires would watch him play. At the age of 15, Pires left school and began his dream of a career in football with a two-year sports degree course in Reims. At the insistence of his mother, Pires continued with Reims and eventually was called up{{clarify|date=July 2024}} four years later.

Pires is a graduate of the Metz youth academy, making his senior debut in 1993 against Lyon. During his six seasons there, he scored 43 goals in 162 matches, and won the Coupe de la Ligue, prompting a £5 million move to Marseille in 1998. Pires had a mixed two-year stay in Provence; his first season saw Marseille miss the 1998–99 French Division 1 title by a point (he had been even closer the year before when Metz had finished runners-up on goal difference) and they also reached the 1999 UEFA Cup Final, losing to Parma. His second season saw him suffer a spate of on- and off-field problems, which led him to boycott the club at the season's end.{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/england/news/2001/1120/20011120afcpires.html |title=Mrs Pires happy with her rain man |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=20 November 2001 |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622094439/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/england/news/2001/1120/20011120afcpires.html |archive-date=22 June 2011}}

File:Robert Pires1.JPG]]

Pires was signed by Arsenal for £6 million in 2000, after stiff competition from Real Madrid and Juventus, replacing Marc Overmars, who had left for Barcelona for a record £25 million. He made his debut as a substitute against Sunderland on 19 August 2000.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/887663.stm |title=Quinn header edges out Gunners |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 August 2000 |access-date=26 March 2020}} Initially, Pires' form was indifferent, and some people criticised him after his comments that the English game was too physical. However, he slowly began to regain the form he had shown at Metz, scoring a superb solo goal in October 2000, his first for Arsenal, against Lazio in the 2000–01 Champions League.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/977349.stm |title=Pires sends Arsenal through |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 October 2000 |access-date=20 September 2009}} Days later he scored his first league goal in a 2–1 win against West Ham United.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/982086.stm |title=Pires guns down Hammers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 October 2000 |access-date=26 March 2020}} During his time at Arsenal Pires had a habit of scoring against rivals Tottenham Hotspur, something he did on eight occasions.{{cite news |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2019/september/harry-kane-and-our-derby-goalscorers/ |title=Harry Kane and our derby goalscorers |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |date=2 September 2019 |access-date=26 March 2020}} The first of such occasions came in a league game on 31 March 2001 when Arsenal won 2–0.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1249426.stm |title=Gunners take Spurs apart |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 March 2001 |access-date=26 March 2020}} A week later he scored against Tottenham again, this time the winner in the FA Cup semi-finals.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1266295.stm |title=Arsenal sink rivals Spurs |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 April 2001 |access-date=20 September 2009}} However, Arsenal went on to lose the Cup final to Liverpool 2–1; Pires set up Arsenal's goal for Freddie Ljungberg.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1324699.stm |title=Owen shatters Arsenal in Cup final |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2001 |access-date=26 March 2020}}

By 2001–02, Pires had fully got to grips with the English game and had one of his best seasons. Pires scored superb goals against Middlesbrough and Aston Villa. Against Aston Villa, Pires chased after a long ball by Freddie Ljungberg, and lobbed the ball over the pursuing George Boateng, and finished off the move with a delightful lob over Peter Schmeichel.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1730993.stm |title=Arsenal comeback sinks Boro |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 December 2001 |access-date=26 March 2020}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1873883.stm |title=Arsenal see off Villa |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 March 2002 |access-date=26 March 2020}} Pires also scored in a 1–1 draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, which would commence a sequence of five consecutive league seasons in which he would score in the North London Derby away at their rivals.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1656818.stm |title=Sol suffers in derby draw |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 November 2001 |access-date=27 March 2020}} He led the Premier League assist charts and was voted both FWA Footballer of the Year and Arsenal's player of the season, as Arsenal won the league title.{{cite web |title=Arsenal Statistics 2001/02 |url=http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=1&season=2001&area=squad |website=KickOff.co.uk |access-date=30 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101175446/http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=1&season=2001&area=squad|archive-date=1 November 2013|url-status=dead}} Pires provided the assist for Dennis Bergkamp when he scored his memorable pirouette goal against Newcastle United.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1847918.stm |title=Arsenal stun Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 March 2002 |access-date=26 March 2020}} However weeks later against the same opposition in the FA Cup Pires suffered a cruciate ligament injury (a game in which he had earlier scored).{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1886654.stm |title=Arsenal ease past Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 March 2002 |access-date=26 March 2020}} This also ruled him out of playing in the 2002 FA Cup Final and the 2002 World Cup with France.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/mar/25/newsstory.sport5 |title=Pires to miss the World Cup |newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 March 2002 |access-date=26 March 2020}}

After a lengthy layoff, Pires made his comeback in November 2002 as a substitute against Auxerre in the UEFA Champions League.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/2346087.stm |title=Auxerre stun Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2002 |access-date=27 March 2020}} Although Pires initially found it tough, he eventually returned to form, scoring 14 Premiership goals in 20 starts that season, including a hat-trick against Southampton on the penultimate day of the season.{{cite web |title=Arsenal Statistics 2003/03 |url=http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=1&season=2002&area=squad |website=KickOff.co.uk |access-date=30 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101173917/http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=1&season=2002&area=squad|archive-date=1 November 2013|url-status=dead}} Other highlights included scoring twice against Fulham, including a last minute winner, and his customary goal at White Hart Lane.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2553087.stm |title=Spurs let Arsenal off hook |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 December 2002 |access-date=27 March 2020}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2693953.stm |title=Pires saves Arsenal blushes |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 February 2003 |access-date=27 March 2020}} Pires was voted the Premier League Player of the Month for February 2003. Pires capped off his season by scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup Final against Southampton.{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Paul |title=Pires aim is true for muted Gunners |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/may/18/match.facup |access-date=26 August 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 May 2003}}

He went on to be a crucial part of Arsenal's quest for the Premier League title in the 2003–04 season, which they achieved, remaining unbeaten and becoming the first English top flight club to do so in 115 years. Pires and his Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry were instrumental in that season, scoring a combined 57 goals in all competitions. Pires made a sluggish start to the campaign, with just one goal to his name (against Everton) prior to October,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3140777.stm |title=Campbell off in Arsenal win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2003 |access-date=27 March 2020}} but a wonder-goal against Liverpool at Anfield kick-started his season.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3123608.stm |title=Owen injured in Arsenal win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 October 2003 |access-date=27 March 2020}} Pires showed football fans his sublime technique, skills and finishing, most notably with his goals against Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers, and Leeds United. He surprised a lot of people with a world class tackle on Claude Makélélé and, following that, a run into the penalty box which dragged William Gallas and John Terry away, thus making space for Patrick Vieira to have a one-on-one with the Chelsea goalkeeper and subsequently scoring. Arsenal won that match 2–1, with Vieira's goal the equaliser.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3496743.stm |title=Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 February 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020}} That day of Premier League action proved decisive, as Manchester United's failure to beat Leeds United during the same day resulted in Arsenal getting a huge lead in the title race.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3496745.stm |title=Man Utd 1-1 Leeds |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 February 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020}} Arsenal never lost 1st place in the table for the rest of the season. In the UEFA Champions League quarter-final's 1st leg match against Chelsea, Pires managed to beat John Terry to a header, which resulted in the equaliser for Arsenal, after Eiður Guðjohnsen had given Chelsea the lead.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/3560681.stm |title=Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 March 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020}} However, Arsenal were eliminated after they lost 1–2 in the return leg, courtesy of an 87th minute Wayne Bridge goal. Pires also scored home and away against Tottenham Hotspur. He showed his playmaking skills in a goal against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, in which Pires was the architect in building up the goal, and capped off the move with a goal to score Arsenal's 2nd goal of the game. Tottenham refused to give up, and managed to claw their way back and claimed a 2–2 draw. Despite that, Arsenal won the title after the match.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3232991.stm |title=Arsenal break Spurs hearts |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 November 2003 |access-date=27 March 2020}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3628573.stm |title=Arsenal clinch title |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 April 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020}} Pires finished that season with an impressive tally of 14 goals and seven assists in the Premier League. He was Arsenal's second top scorer (behind Thierry Henry) and had the joint amount of assists (along with Dennis Bergkamp) that season.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

File:Robert Pires2.JPG

In the 2004–05 season, Pires finished third in the Premiership goalscorers' table with 14 goals, behind teammate Thierry Henry and Crystal Palace's Andrew Johnson.{{cite news |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/goalgetter/eng-premier-league-2004-2005/ |title=Premier League 2004/2005 Top Scorer |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=27 March 2020}} Pires also picked up a second FA Cup winners' medal; he scored in the semi-final against Blackburn Rovers{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4427433.stm |title=Arsenal 3-0 Blackburn |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 March 2005 |access-date=27 March 2020}} and then Arsenal beat Manchester United on penalties in the final. Pires was replaced by Edu in the 2nd half of extra time in that match.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4558271.stm |title=Arsenal 0-0 Man Utd (aet) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2005 |access-date=27 March 2020}}

During the 2005–06 season, Pires started the season poorly, and players such as Freddie Ljungberg, José Antonio Reyes and Alexander Hleb were preferred to him on both wings. As the season progressed, though, Pires' form improved, outscoring his selection rivals overall despite a bizarre penalty incident with Thierry Henry against Manchester City when Pires, having scored from the spot earlier in the game, tried passing it to Arsenal's star striker but Henry missed the ball and it went down as a penalty miss.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4344508.stm |title=Arsenal 1-0 Man City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2005 |access-date=27 March 2020}} Highlights in the league that season included scoring at White Hart Lane for the fifth consecutive season (his eighth and final goal against Tottenham) to help Arsenal salvage a 1–1 draw, and also scoring in the last game at Highbury against Wigan Athletic.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4366690.stm |title=Tottenham 1-1 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 October 2005 |access-date=27 March 2020}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4957444.stm |title=Arsenal 4-2 Wigan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2006 |access-date=27 March 2020}} Pires was instrumental in Arsenal's Quarter Final Champions League first leg against Juventus, where Arsenal won 2–0. Pires successfully tackled Patrick Vieira and fed the ball to Thierry Henry who passed to Fàbregas to score Arsenal's first goal, the first time that Pires had gotten the better of Vieira.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4841992.stm |title=Arsenal 2-0 Juventus |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 March 2006 |access-date=27 March 2020}}

Pires played his last game for Arsenal in the UEFA Champions league final against Barcelona in Paris, which Arsenal ultimately lost 2–1. However, Pires was substituted after only 18 minutes when goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off and had to be replaced with Manuel Almunia.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4773353.stm |title=Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=27 March 2020}} Pires later said Wenger's decision to substitute him "killed" him: "the fact that I was substituted and only allowed to play 18 minutes remains painful, there's no point denying that... Wenger knows it and we still talk about it. I'll never agree that he made the right decision."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/apr/07/champions-league-robert-pires-villarreal-arsenal|work=The Guardian|date=7 April 2009|accessdate=29 August 2021|title=Pires plans to prove Arsenal wrong}}

During the 2005–06 season, Pires wrangled with Arsenal over a new contract, in the hope of a new two-year deal. In keeping with the club's policy regarding players over 30, Pires was only offered a 12-month extension to his contract, which expired in June 2006.{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Matt |last2=Walker |first2=Michael |date=2005-06-13 |title=Deadlock over new Arsenal deal for Pires |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jun/14/newsstory.sport2 |access-date=2024-11-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

In May 2006, Pires agreed to an offer from Villarreal{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/5015814.stm |title=Pires agrees deal with Villarreal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 May 2006}} after a month of speculation, during which time he and Arsenal defeated Villarreal in the Champions League semi-final.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

One of the main reasons Pires gave for leaving Arsenal was that he felt he was no longer a first choice under manager Arsène Wenger. Pires was quoted as saying: "I have to say I have had some disappointments this season. For instance, I was on the bench very often". Pires additionally suggested that Wenger's decision to withdraw him in the UEFA Champions League final showed he had slipped in the eyes of his French boss. Pires said that he felt hurt by how Wenger did not trust him anymore, which was a major factor that convinced him that it was time to move on from Arsenal.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}

On the official Arsenal matchday program for the game against Wigan Athletic on 11 February 2007, Pires revealed his heartbreak of being substituted so early on during the Champions League final. Pires stated: "I was very disappointed. When I saw my number on the fourth official's board to be substituted, I couldn't believe it. It was my last game after six years at the club, a Champions League Final in front of all my family in Paris where I became World Cup champion and it lasted just 12 minutes. That was very hard to take".{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

On 11 July 2008, Arsenal fans voted Pires as the club's sixth greatest player of all time.{{cite web |author=3 mins 25 seconds |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/gunners-greatest-players-6.-robert-pires |title=Gunners' Greatest Players – 6. Robert Pires |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |date=11 July 2008 |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804084055/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/gunners-greatest-players-6.-robert-pires |archive-date=4 August 2011}}

In May 2006, Pires agreed to join Spanish side Villarreal on a two-year contract. He joined on a free transfer, subject to passing a medical, bringing to an end his six-year career as an Arsenal player.{{cite news |title=Pires joins Villarreal on two-year deal |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/pires-joins-villareal-on-two-year-deal-1.1298508 |access-date=26 August 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=25 May 2006}} After Villarreal were eliminated in the semi-finals of the 2006 Champions League by Arsenal, Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini had wanted to sign Arsenal's Pires or Thierry Henry.{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12385_3370032,00.html |title=Hope for Henry |publisher=Sky Sports}}

He scored his first goal for the club in 3–3 pre-season draw with Newcastle United on 5 August 2006. However, on 18 August 2006, Pires damaged the cruciate ligament in his left knee in a friendly match against Cádiz and required corrective surgery to alleviate the problem, which kept him out of action for seven months in his new club in Spanish top flight. Pires finally recovered from knee injury and made his first league appearance for Villarreal as a second-half substitute when he was named in Villarreal's squad to face Real Sociedad on 17 March 2007. Pires scored his first league goal on his return from injury in a 3–3 draw away to Real Betis on 31 March 2007. After three appearances as a substitute, Pires made his first start for Villarreal on 22 April 2007 against Barcelona. He opened the scoring for his team to defeat league leaders Barcelona 2–0, avenging his premature departure against Barcelona in the Champions League Final the previous May.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

On 13 May 2007, in a 4–1 win at Osasuna, Pires scored a seventh-minute opener as Villarreal continued their late-season push for a European spot. The run took Villarreal, at 11th spot without him in the side, to the brink of a UEFA Cup place in barely six weeks. Villarreal ended the season in 5th spot wherein Pires played crucial roles in helping Villarreal with the late charge up winning each of their final eight games and an entry into the UEFA Cup.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

The 2007–08 season was marked by the ongoing saga between Juan Román Riquelme and the board of Villarreal. Despite this distraction, Pires' leadership qualities helped Villarreal to win six of their opening eight games. Against Barcelona at El Madrigal, Pires' technique earned the Yellow Submarine two penalties which were duly converted by captain Marcos Senna.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}} Villarreal ended up finishing second in La Liga behind Real Madrid, which was their best league finish in history, beating Barcelona into third place.{{cite web |url=http://fourfourtwo.com/news/spain/53699/default.aspx |title=Pires set to leave Villarreal |website=FourFourTwo |date=7 May 2010 |access-date=4 October 2010}}

In 2009, Pires faced former club Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute in the first leg and playing the full 90 minutes at the Emirates. Villarreal were defeated 4–1 on aggregate, but Pires received a warm return from the Arsenal supporters, who sang his name throughout both legs.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

Pires was told in May 2010 that his contract would not be extended and he would have to look for a new club during the summer, as Villarreal will be "changing their philosophy".

Pires returned to England and trained at London Colney – Arsenal's training ground, in order to keep his fitness levels up.{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-legend-training-at-london-colney |title=Arsenal legend training at London Colney |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |date=24 April 2010 |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006014406/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-legend-training-at-london-colney |archive-date=6 October 2010}} In October 2010, it was reported that Conference National club Crawley Town intended to talk to Pires about joining them for some part of the season, but the player's spokesman said they were "not aware of any interest" from that club.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crawley_town/9112362.stm |title=Robert Pires 'not aware' of Crawley Town interest |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 October 2010 |access-date=21 October 2010}}

On 16 November 2010, Aston Villa boss Gérard Houllier had been in talks with representatives of Pires.{{cite news |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2222143,00.html |publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |date=16 November 2010 |title=McAllister welcomes imminent arrival of experienced midfield ace Pires |access-date=16 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117175659/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2222143,00.html |archive-date=17 November 2010}} On 18 November, the 37-year-old midfielder completed his move to Aston Villa on a six-month contract.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/9195439.stm |title=Robert Pires completes move to Aston Villa |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 November 2010 |access-date=18 November 2010}} He made his Villa début in the Premier League on 21 November as a second-half substitute, although his new club were beaten 2–0 by Blackburn Rovers. Pires' arrival at the club was praised by many of Villa's senior players, including Gabriel Agbonlahor, Stewart Downing{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2227969,00.html |title=Lowry: Lining up alongside class act Pires was surreal|publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |access-date=2 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227091834/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2227969,00.html |archive-date=27 December 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2228530,00.html |title=Agbonlahor thrilled to line-up with Pires in claret and blue|publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |access-date=2 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229042738/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2228530,00.html |archive-date=29 December 2010}}{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6526872,00.html |title=Downing joins Pires praise|publisher=Sky Sports |date=25 November 2010 |access-date=2 February 2011}} Pires scored his first goal for Aston Villa in the 3–1 FA Cup win against Blackburn Rovers on 29 January 2011. His next start was also against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League on 26 February. His performance in Villa's 4–1 win was described by Sky Sports as "his most influential" since joining the club.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3284495,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |title=Villa sink wretched Rovers |date=26 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227100500/http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0%2C19764%2C11065_3284495%2C00.html |archive-date=27 February 2011}}

In early March, Pires announced that he would like to remain at Aston Villa for the 2011–12 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6786938,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |title=Pires wants Villa stay |date=1 March 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2304867,00.html |title=Pires targets extended stay after revealing he is loving life at Villa |publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |date=1 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304030415/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2304867,00.html |archive-date=4 March 2011}} Villa boss Gérard Houllier responded positively to this claim, but admitted that no decision would be made until the Summer of 2011.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6787627,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |title=Houllier plans Pires talks |date=1 March 2011}} However, he was released by the club on 27 May 2011 after the 2010–11 season finished.{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2368005,00.html |title=Farewell to Reo-Coker and Carew as released list announced |date=27 May 2011 |publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |access-date=27 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527212512/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~2368005%2C00.html |archive-date=27 May 2011}}

In September 2011, Pires made a guest appearance for Scottish Premier League side Hibernian in Ian Murray's Testimonial match at Easter Road.{{cite web |url=http://www.ianmurraytestimonial.net/Events.htm |title=Ian Murray Testimonial 2011–12 |access-date=7 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703211032/http://www.ianmurraytestimonial.net/Events.htm |archive-date=3 July 2012}}

File:Robert Pirès 2017 (cropped).jpg

In September 2013, Pires made a guest appearance for Premier League Aston Villa in Stiliyan Petrov's Testimonial match at Celtic Park.{{Cite web |last=Berry |first=Gavin |date=2013-09-09 |title=Stiliyan Petrov charity match: Former Celtic star overwhelmed by fans' support |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/stiliyan-petrov-charity-match-celtic-2261352 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}

In July 2014, Pires announced a comeback to promote the launch of the Indian Super League.{{cite web |title=Pires signs up for the Indian Super League |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/news/pires-signs-indian-super-league |website=FourFourTwo |access-date=26 August 2020 |date=28 July 2014}}{{cite web |title=Pires signs up for Indian Super League |url=https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/pires-signs-up-for-indian-super-league |website=theworldgame.sbs.com.au |access-date=26 August 2020 |date=29 July 2014}} On 2 September 2014, he was signed by Goa, becoming their marquee signing.{{cite news |title=Mumbai, Goa to settle for Arsenal legends |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/Mumbai-Goa-to-settle-for-Arsenal-legends/articleshow/41498097.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=2 September 2014 |access-date=2 September 2014}} The 40-year-old came out of retirement to play for Goa, one of eight teams in the newly created league,{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} and he captained the team.{{cite web|title=FC Goa beat Vasco Sports Club 1-0|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/clubs/496-fc-goa-profile/press-releases/fc-goa-beat-vasco-sports-club-1-0|date=9 October 2014|access-date=23 February 2021|website=indiansuperleague.com|publisher=Indian Super League|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226072033/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/clubs/496-fc-goa-profile/press-releases/fc-goa-beat-vasco-sports-club-1-0|archive-date=26 December 2021}}

"For me the project and the passion for the game are very important. India needs a start. You need to progress. And for me, that was important. I had offers from the USA and Qatar but I wanted to be part of a new beginning for the sport in India. As for the conditions, we all know about them – but I'm ready and training hard. I like the pressure", he said. Pires is a regular at Arsenal's training ground, using the facilities to stay fit, and said that he spoke to Arsène Wenger about playing in India: "He told me if you have it in you and if you have the passion to go play in India, then do it. And I think I'm ready." "The reception at the airport was amazing", he said, on his unveiling in India, before adding, "Thank you for the welcome India... and the spicy food."{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/why-robert-pires-chose-indias-isl-over-americas-glitz-and-qatars-riches-1726791.html |title=Why Robert Pires chose India's ISL over America's glitz and Qatar's riches |date=24 September 2014 |website=First Post.com}}

Pires made his league debut for Goa on 15 October 2014, a 2–1 defeat to Chennaiyin.{{cite news |last1=Raj |first1=Rohan |title=ISL: Record-breaking Chennaiyin FC romp to 2–1 win over FC Goa |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/isl-chennaiyin-fc-vs-fc-goa-live-indian-super-league-match-4-nehru-stadium/1/395917.html |access-date=15 October 2014 |newspaper=India Today |date=15 October 2014}}

On 25 October 2014, he was given a two-match ban for insulting Atlético de Kolkata's manager Antonio López Habas.{{cite web |title=ISL announces ruling on incidents from FC Goa vs Atlético de Kolkata fixture |url=http://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/773-isl-announces-ruling-on-incidents-from-fc-goa-vs-atletico-de-kolkata-fixture |publisher=Indian Super League |access-date=25 October 2014}} He scored his first league goal on 13 November 2014 in a 4–1 away win over Delhi Dynamos.{{cite news |title=Goa romp into 4–1 lead against Delhi Dynamos |url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/indian-super-league-live-goa-romp-into-4-0-lead-against-delhi-dynamos-1801213.html |website=Firstpost |agency=Press Trust of India |date=13 November 2014 |access-date=13 November 2014}}

Pires was released by Goa on 13 March 2015.{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/FC-Goa-drop-all-four-strikers/articleshow/46558555.cms |title=FC Goa drop all four strikers |website=The Times of India |date=14 March 2015|access-date=13 July 2015 |first=Marcus |last=Mergulhao}} On 25 February 2016, Pires announced his retirement from professional football.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/feb/25/former-arsenal-france-midfielder-robert-pires-retires-football |title=Former Arsenal and France midfielder Robert Pires retires from football |date=25 February 2016 |access-date=25 February 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian}}

Pires expressed interest in and was approached by Arsène Wenger with regard to coaching. As of 2016, Pires has commenced a career as a footballing coach with the first team at Arsenal.{{cite web |url=http://www.squawka.com/news/robert-pires-arsene-wenger-said-i-could-coach-at-arsenal/512215 |title=Robert Pires Arsène Wenger said that i could coach at Arsenal |website=Squawka.com}}

In November 2024, it was announced that he's set to manage one of the 12 teams in the upcoming Baller League, a six-a-side football league.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Baller League: KSI, Gary Lineker, Luis Figo & John Terry among names involved in new football league |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c3rx5ll9y3zo |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Buckingham |first=Philip |last2=Stafford-Bloor |first2=Seb |title=What is Baller League, why are KSI and IShowSpeed involved and is it a game-changer? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5949002/2024/11/26/baller-league-explained-ksi-ishowspeed/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Pires was part of France's 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning squads, but had to miss the 2002 World Cup due to an injury he sustained playing for Arsenal. He also played in the 1996 Olympic Games and Euro 2004. However, a dispute in late 2004 with French national coach Raymond Domenech put a halt to Pires' international career. He won 79 caps for his country and scored 14 goals. He won the Golden Ball (for most outstanding football) and Golden Shoe (for most goals scored) awards at the 2001 Confederations Cup in Korea/Japan. Pires provided a golden goal assist during his international career, providing David Trézéguet with the match-winning ball in the Euro 2000 final.

File:Football against poverty 2014 - Robert Pires.jpg

In 1992, during his initial year at Metz, Pires met his first wife, Nathalie. The two were married for six years and divorced in 2003. Pires told The Daily Mirror that his divorce had ruined him and affected him professionally, interfering with his concentration and sleep. He also blamed it for his odd behavior, such as publicly fighting with French coach Raymond Domenech in early 2004.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}

Shortly after the split from Nathalie, Pires met French model Jessica Lemarie through mutual friends. On 10 August 2005, she gave birth to the couple's first child, Naia. Since then, Lemarie and Pires have since married and had a son named Theo, born 11 July 2007.{{cite web |url=http://freekickmastersusa.com/Robert_Pires.asp |title=Robert Pires; Free Kick Master |website=Freekickmastersusa.com |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808071011/http://www.freekickmastersusa.com/Robert_Pires.asp |archive-date=8 August 2010}}

On 17 January 2012, Pires became an ambassador for Grassroot Soccer, an international non-profit that uses the power of football to educate, inspire, and mobilize communities to stop the spread of HIV.{{cite web |url=http://www.grassrootsoccer.org/2012/01/17/robert-pires-international-soccer-star-joins-grassroot-soccer-as-ambassador/ |title=International soccer star joins grassroot soccer as ambassador |website=Grassroot Soccer.org}}

:Scores and results list France's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Pires goal.

Metz

• Coupe de la Ligue: 1995–96{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/robert-pires/3104/ |title=R. Pirès: Soccerway |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=14 October 2018}}

Arsenal

• Premier League: 2001–02, 2003–04{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/1835/Robert-Pir%C3%A8s/overview |title=Robert Pirès: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=8 June 2023}}
• FA Cup: 2002–03, 2004–05{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/541/robert-pires |title=Robert Pires |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |access-date=29 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114135433/http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/541/robert-pires |archive-date=14 January 2015}}
• UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2005–06{{cite news |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2005/matches/round=2205/match=1108503/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103130207/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2005/matches/round=2205/match=1108503/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2012 |title=Barça comeback denies Arsenal |publisher=UEFA |date=18 May 2006 |access-date=5 July 2015}}

France

• FIFA World Cup: 1998
• UEFA European Championship: 2000
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2001, 2003

Individual

• Division 1 Young Player of the Year: 1995–96{{cite web |url=http://www.sportpalmares.eu/-Trophees-UNFP-Oscars-du-foot-.html |title=Palmarès Trophées UNFP – Oscars du foot |language=fr |website=Sport Palmares.eu}}
• FWA Footballer of the Year: 2001–02{{cite web |url=http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/robert-pires-of-arsenal-with-the-football-writers-player-of-news-photo/613916#robert-pires-of-arsenal-with-the-football-writers-player-of-the-year-picture-id613916 |title=Robert Pires of Arsenal with the Football Writers Player of the Year Award |website=Getty Images.com|date=29 May 2002 }}
• PFA Team of the Year: 2001–02 Premier League,{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2002/2003 |year=2002 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=1-85291-648-6 |page=480}} 2002–03 Premier League,{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004 |year=2003 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=1-85291-651-6 |page=496}} 2003–04 Premier League{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2004/2005 |year=2004 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=1-85291-660-5 |page=480}}
• Premier League Player of the Month: February 2003
• Arsenal Player of the Season: 2001−02{{Cite book |last=Maidment |first=Jem |title=The Official Arsenal Encyclopedia |publisher=Hamlyn |year=2006 |isbn=9780600615491 |location=London |pages=148 |language=en}}
• FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball: 2001{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/koreajapan2001/awards/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222155442/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/koreajapan2001/awards/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 December 2015 |title=FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001 {{!}} Awards|publisher=FIFA|access-date=20 October 2017}}
• FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Shoe: 2001
• FIFA 100{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533891.stm |title=Pele's list of the greatest |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2004 |access-date=29 September 2014}}
• Équipe type spéciale 20 ans des trophées UNFP: 2011

Orders

• Knight of the Legion of Honour: 1998{{cite journal |date=25 July 1998 |title=Décret du 24 juillet 1998 portant nomination à titre exceptionnel |trans-title=Decree of 24 July 1998 appointing on an exceptional basis |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000374701 |journal=Official Journal of the French Republic |volume=1998 |issue=170 |id=PREX9801916D |access-date=30 November 2020 |language=fr}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150114135433/http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/541/robert-pires Profile] at the Arsenal F.C. website
• {{FFF player}}
• {{UEFA player}}
• {{FIFA player}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pires, Robert}}

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