I’m a Ballon d’Or winner who became a pop culture icon in my home country because of a puppet show
JEAN-PIERRE PAPIN became a pop culture icon in France after being made into a caricature by a satirical puppet show.
The Marseille icon was also named the French footballer of the year twice during his career.
His goalscoring prowess saw the striker win five straight Ligue 1 Golden Boots between 1988 and 1992 with a total of 121 goals.
He also finished as the European Cup’s top scorer three years in a row during that period.
Papin’s ability was recognised in 1991 as he won the Ballon d’Or after winning a league title and reaching the European Cup final with Marseille.
Despite losing the final on penalties to Red Star Belgrade, Papin finally won the Champions League with AC Milan three years later.
That triumph was one of 11 major trophies he lifted during his career, including six league titles in France and Italy.
Papin also played in Belgium and Germany for Club Brugge and Bayern Munich respectively, as well as scoring 30 goals in 54 caps for France.
However, he is almost just as well known in his home country for the portrayal of him on satirical puppet show Les Guignols de l’Info.
The forward became a pop culture icon in France after the show depicted him as a dumb footballer obsessed with scoring goals.
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Their coverage of Papin would later become more sympathetic when he struggled for form whilst playing in Italy.
This included a song which saw God urge Papin to return to Ligue 1 because “France needs you!”
Since retiring, Papin has held several managerial roles in France, including with Strasbourg and Lens.
The 59-year-old returned to Marseille as an advisor in November last year, though, and remains in the role 11 months on.