Never had the life of a French footballer, man or woman, been traced in a film. It is now done. This Wednesday, June 7 will be released in theaters Marinette, directed by Virginie Verrier. The “biopic” relates the incredible destiny of Marinette Pichon, a great figure in French women’s sport and international footballer, inspired by her autobiography “ Never let go » (First edition).
The 47-year-old player has an exceptional career with her strong character and her fight for the recognition of women’s football.
International player
Marinette Pichon discovered football on the grounds of AS Brienne (Aube), where she took her first license at the age of 5. Her alcoholic and violent father made her childhood difficult, but sport and her mother’s support were of great help. Thanks to derogations, Marinette manages to evolve in the mixed team of the club until these 16 years before landing at Saint-Memmie Olympique (Marne).
She will stay there for ten years before being spotted by the coach of the Philadelphia club. In 2002, she thus became the first footballer, male and female, to sign in the United States. By joining the American club for two seasons, the striker quickly established herself as a revelation on the international scene. The professional player earns thousands of dollars a month and becomes a star.
At the Blues
First selected for Les Bleues in 1994, the striker has to deal with harassment from several other players in the team. Insults, threats, intimidation… Marinette Pichon will finally refuse a selection and will be suspended for six months from any football-related activity.
Despite this difficult passage, Marinette will return to the France team to participate in Euro 2001. In total, she will play 112 games in the blue jersey, and will score 81 goals. A record that will stand for years, finally beaten in 2020 by Eugénie Le Sommer.
Off the pitch, she is very often questioned about her homosexuality. She is the first French player to have publicly revealed her homosexuality.
His fight
Throughout her career, Marinette Pichon has never stopped fighting for the recognition of her sport in France. The status of professional player was one of her main demands for her and her teammates.
In 2007, Marinette launched “How do you expect us to make the weight when we are not even paid” to a journalist after an eliminatory defeat of the Blue against England. The same year, she took off the spikes before converting, from 2011, as a consultant to France Télévisions.
Throughout her career, the player was ahead of her time and led her fight, which is still relevant today. The Women’s World Cup, which will start on July 20, 2023, has not yet found a broadcaster in France. A “ scandal for Marinette Pichon, who launched a petition, already signed by more than 117,000 people.
