Barthez to Nantes? Oh, Let’s Hope!

I know you’ve been thinking: “So! Laurie! What’s up with former Bleus goalkeeper Barthez these days!” Well, gosh, it’s funny you should ask. Because he’s, y’know, retired. Except… Well, maybe not!

Rumor is that my second-favorite** former Bleu is chatting with Nantes about a post-New-Year’s return to the game. Nantes currently kind of sucking, sitting second-to-bottom in Ligue 1 and facing relegation unless they get their act together and soon. So they’re talking about hitting it at both ends, using the transfer window to replace both strikers and keeper. Kind of the Pepto-Bismol treatment. (And: Ew. Did I just say that?)

The back half is where Barthez (hope and cross your fingers!) comes in. Nobody’s actually confirming they’re in talks, but nobody’s denying it either, and a Google search returns about a gazillion hits. Rumor is that he’ll be offered a six-month contract with an option for two more seasons if the club manages to stay in Ligue 1. And Barthez has been working with a personal trainer who specializes in goalkeepers. All of this makes me very happy, because he looked like total holy hell at the Champions Tribute at the France-Greece game last month. (Hey, I’m a mom. I worry.)

And I’ll admit it, I love Barthez! So delightfully eccentric and incredibly French! Zidane may have had suspensions for headbutts and stompings. Barthez got them for spitting at a referee and recreational cannabis use. (Yes, I know the mom in me should be offended, but…well…giggle. I love Barthez!) I’ve wanted to see him happy somewhere since World Cup. I mean, at least Zidane went out with The Headbutt. Barthez went out as “Barthez n’a rien arreté” (Barthez didn’t stop anything) in the #1 French hit, the Coup de Boule song. (And how quickly we forget that Buffon didn’t actually stop any penalties either. We did that all on our own.)

Barthez deserves better. Let’s hope he finds it in Nantes. Allez, Fabien!

Oh, and does that picture up top remind anyone else of an M.C. Escher painting? Or is it just me?

**Ummm…Duh? Starts with a “Z” and ends with a headbutt.