Laurent Robert
Free-kick specialist who lit up the Premier League and played for France.
Laurent Robert (born 21 May 1975) is a former professional footballer who played as a left winger. He was known for his powerful shot, particularly from free kicks.
- Role
- Left Winger
- Affiliation
- Never played for Olympique Lyonnais
- Key Achievement
- Never won Ligue 1
Lore & Background
Born in Saint-Benoît, Réunion, Robert moved to mainland France aged 16. He began his professional career with Montpellier and Paris Saint-Germain, playing and scoring in the UEFA Champions League with the latter. In 2001, he transferred to Newcastle United for a £10 million fee, helping them qualify for several European tournaments including the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in 2003–04. The following season, he was fined and disciplined for publicly criticising manager Graeme Souness, leading to a loan to Portsmouth and transfer to Benfica in January 2006. He scored a winning free kick against Porto and played in a run to the Champions League quarter-finals, but moved on six months later to Levante. He ended his career with brief spells at Derby County, Toronto FC and Larissa. Robert played nine games for France between 1999 and 2001, scoring one goal and winning the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2001.
In Their Own Story
The pitch at Gerland was bathed in the late afternoon sun as Laurent Robert received a through-ball down the right flank. With the defender's back turned, he accelerated with terrifying speed, leaving the entire defense behind. In one fluid motion, he cut inside onto his left foot and fired a low shot into the bottom corner, sending the stadium erupting into a roar of pure ecstasy.
Reader's Guide
Robert was a left winger known for his powerful shot, especially from free kicks. He scored five free-kick goals in the 2001–02 Premier League season, a joint record at the time. His average of 994 playing minutes per free-kick goal in the Premier League remains the best of any player with at least 8 such goals.
Did You Know?
- Robert scored a winning free kick against Porto in O Clássico for Benfica.
- He scored five free-kick goals in the 2001–02 Premier League season, tying David Beckham's record from the previous season.
- His son Thomas signed for Airdrieonians in Scottish League One in 2020.
- Robert's younger brother Bertrand also became a footballer, as did his brother Fabien Robert.
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