Back on the courts… but this time, racket in hand. Jimmy Briand, a former French international who played for Rennes, Lyon and the Girondins de Bordeaux, took part in the second edition of the Bordeaux Chocolate at the club Padel33 Bruges. The opportunity to meet him for a hot interview after his match.

Margaux Randjbar, sports director and padel coach of the club, hands him the microphone at the end of the match.

“More than 600 professional matches, today it’s padel time”

« I am Jimmy Briand, former professional football player. I played for Stade Rennais, Olympique Lyonnais, and I finished my career at Girondins of Bordeaux " he recalls by way of introduction. With more than 600 professional matches et more than 130 goals, the former striker has lost none of his competitive streak.

Based in the Bordeaux region, he now continues his football adventure as a U18 coach at the Girondins training center.

“The goal is always to win”

Asked about his ambitions for today's padel match, Jimmy is clear: " As always, the goal was to win. We remain competitive. Whether it's cards, padel, or anything else, we play to win."

Despite a severe defeat On the pitch that evening, the former striker had nothing to reproach himself for. "They were stronger tonight. We lost heavily, but we fought until the end," he said, always in the spirit of fair play.

“Against rugby players? Not yet, unless with the ball at your feet!”

Jimmy confides that he's never faced rugby players in a non-contact sport before. "We tested each other a bit with the ball at our feet during the 100th anniversary of the Chaban-Delmas stadium, but outside of football, not really," he says. The Choc Bordelais is therefore a first for him in this new format.

“My strong point? My physique!”

Asked about his “secret weapon” in padel, Jimmy Briand relies on his endurance. " My cardio "It allows me to be present on a lot of balls. I compensate with the physical aspect, and I work to improve my technique," he confides with humility.

One thing is certain: even off the lawn, competitive spirit et the desire to progress did not leave him.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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