For decades, the role of a sports journalist, particularly in France, wasn’t always a comfortable one. A new documentary, “Dix sur dix” (“Ten out of Ten”), released February 27, 2026, by L’Équipe Explore, sheds light on the history of player ratings at the publication – a practice that began in 1980 – and the sometimes-intense reactions those ratings provoked. While the perfect 10/10 score remains a rare achievement, handed out only around twenty times in the publication’s history, the act of assigning *any* grade could, at times, carry significant risk.
The documentary explores how L’Équipe’s sports journalists arrive at their player assessments. But it too reveals a past where those assessments weren’t simply debated on social media; they led to direct confrontation and even threats. The changing relationship between players and the press is a central theme, with a noted shift in recent years as players appear less focused on scrutinizing media coverage.
Vincent Duluc, a prominent reporter for L’Équipe, recounted experiencing both insults and direct threats as a result of his ratings. “There were insults, there were threats,” Duluc revealed, according to reports. He also described a more subtle form of pressure, with players inquiring after matches, “So, tonight, did I make you dream? What score did you give me?” This highlights a dynamic where players actively sought validation – or challenged criticism – from the journalists evaluating their performance.
Mélisande Gomez, another journalist with the publication, shared a particularly stark example of a player’s displeasure. “After giving a player a 3, I received a text message asking me to forget his number,” she stated. This anecdote illustrates the personal impact these ratings could have, and the lengths to which some players would go to distance themselves from negative evaluations.
The pressure wasn’t always subtle. Bernard Lions, known as “Docteur Love” on L’Équipe’s evening program, L’Équipe du Soir, recalled a tense encounter with Jean-Guy Wallemme while covering Saint-Étienne. “At Saint-Étienne, Jean-Guy Wallemme didn’t really agree with my ratings. It happened that we found ourselves face to face at Geoffroy-Guichard,” Lions revealed. This suggests a willingness to directly challenge journalists on their assessments, creating a potentially intimidating environment.
It’s a landscape that appears to be changing. The documentary suggests that contemporary Ligue 1 players are less invested in closely following press ratings than previous generations. This shift could be attributed to a variety of factors, including the rise of social media, increased player control over their public image, and a general evolution in the relationship between athletes and the media. Though, the historical context revealed in “Dix sur dix” serves as a reminder of a time when holding players accountable through journalistic evaluation carried a genuine degree of risk.
The documentary’s release coincides with L’Équipe’s 80th anniversary, offering a moment to reflect on the publication’s legacy and its role in shaping the narrative around French football. The story of the ratings, and the reactions they elicited, is a compelling chapter in that history, demonstrating the power – and potential peril – of sports journalism.
The evolution of this dynamic is particularly interesting in the context of modern sports, where player empowerment and media scrutiny are constantly evolving. While direct threats may be less common today, the pressure on journalists to balance critical analysis with access and maintaining relationships with athletes remains a significant challenge. Understanding this history provides valuable context for navigating the complexities of sports reporting in the 21st century.
For fans of French football, “Dix sur dix” offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of L’Équipe and the often-unseen pressures faced by its journalists. It’s a story about ratings, yes, but also about power, accountability, and the evolving relationship between those who play the game and those who cover it.
L’Équipe will continue its coverage of Ligue 1 and other major football competitions. The next significant event is the upcoming Coupe de France semi-finals, scheduled for April 2026. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued updates and analysis.
