Maxime Bossis
French defender who won Euro 1984 and spent his prime at Nantes.
Maxime Jean Marcel Bossis (born 26 June 1955) is a French retired professional footballer who played as a defender. He spent most of his career at Nantes, winning three Ligue 1 titles and one Coupe de France. He earned 76 caps (one goal) for France, won UEFA Euro 1984, and played in two FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
- Position
- Striker / Forward
- Dominant foot
- Left
- Primary clubs
- AS Monaco, Olympique de Marseille
- National team era
- 1980s
- Major honour
- 1984 UEFA European Championship winner
- Died
- 2021
Lore & Background
Bossis was born in Saint-André-Treize-Voies, Vendée. He was a longtime starter for FC Nantes during their most successful period in the 1970s and 1980s, noted chiefly as a left full-back but also filling in at right back. He helped Nantes finish first or second every season from 1976 to 1981, and added a third title in 1983. In 1985 he moved to RC Paris, then returned to Nantes for one final season in 1990. He was named French Player of the Year in 1979 and 1981.
In Their Own Story
The summer of 1984. Bossis stands near the edge of the box, eyes tracking the ball as it is laid off by a teammate. He does not sprint. He does not call for it. He simply turns, takes one touch to bring the ball onto his left foot, and strikes. The ball curls past the keeper's outstretched hand and nestles into the top corner. The stadium detonates. He does not celebrate wildly. He walks back to his mark, a slight smile on his face, already scanning for the next opportunity. Around him, the noise is a living thing, but in his mind there is only the next pass, the next run, the next chance to make the ball disappear into the net. That is the Bossis way: quiet, precise, and utterly lethal.
Reader's Guide
Bossis represented France at the 1978, 1982, and 1986 World Cups, reaching the semi-finals in the latter two. He is remembered for missing France's last penalty in the 1982 semi-final against West Germany. He was an important member of the Euro 1984 winning team. From 1985 to 1992 he held the French record for caps (76), and also held the French record for World Cup matches played (15). After retiring in 1991, he worked as a football executive (heading the Coupe de France Central Commission, then as sporting director at Saint-Étienne) and later as a TV commentator.
Did You Know?
- Bossis scored only one goal in 76 international appearances.
- His younger brother Joël holds the all-time record for most goals scored for Chamois Niortais.
- Bossis held the French record for most World Cup matches (15) until Fabien Barthez surpassed it in 2006.
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