Man with the golden touch: David Trezeguet on life after football
The former Juventus and France striker opens up about the highs and lows of his trophy-laden career
FRANCE have one of the most lethal attacks in world football today, so it is somewhat perplexing that a team boasting the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud failed to score from open play in their five games at the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.
Les Bleus scored just thrice in their run to the semi-finals, which included two own goals from their opponents and a penalty by Mbappe. Still, that was enough to send Didier Deschamps’ men to the final four, where they will play the hot favourites Spain in Munich on Wednesday (July 10, 3 am kickoff, Singapore time).
One Frenchman who certainly had a knack for putting the ball into the back of the net is former Juventus and Monaco forward David Trezeguet, who scored 34 goals in 71 appearances for his country between 1998 and 2008.
A special moment
His most talked-about strike is the “golden goal” he netted in the Euro 2000 final against Italy, which gave France a 2-1 victory in extra time and the distinction of holding both the World Cup and European Championship trophies at the same time.
It was special not just for its significance (it was the final golden goal at the Euros), but for how Trezeguet scored it.
At 22, he was one of the younger players in the French squad then, and he came off the bench in the 75th minute. With the score deadlocked at 1-1 in the first half of extra time, Trezeguet produced a moment of magic that will live long in the memories of anyone who witnessed it on that summer night in Rotterdam.
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU

Friday, 2 pm
Lifestyle
Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself.
Italy’s Demetrio Albertini lost possession of the ball, which allowed Robert Pires to take control and cross for Trezeguet who pirouetted in the penalty box and smashed it into the top corner with a beautiful half-volley.
The “first-to-score-wins” rule that was in place at the time meant the referee ended the match immediately, and France were the champions.
“We were the first team ever to win the World Cup and the Euros,” said a beaming Trezeguet, now 46 and still looking as fit as a fiddle, in a recent interview with BT Weekend.
Speaking in French via an interpreter, he added: “On a personal level, it was quite amazing because of the technique. Also, it was against Italy, one of our biggest rivals in football. It was a goal for all of France to celebrate, and it’s definitely something I will remember forever.”
Emotional connection
This interview with Trezeguet took place at Hublot’s boutique at the Ion Orchard mall. He was in town to grace the relaunch of the Swiss luxury watchmaker’s store at Marina Bay Sands. Before arriving in the Lion City, this latest Hublot tour took him to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
Trezequet retired from professional football in 2015, the same year that he began his relationship with Hublot that has continued ever since. The brand is the official timekeeper of Euro 2024, with its iconic Big Bang-shaped board held up during matches for substitutions and to indicate the amount of injury time. The referees, meanwhile, wear the Big Bang e connected watch.
“Hublot is a sponsor of Juventus, and I spent 10 years there,” said Trezeguet, recalling his time at the Turin club where he scored 138 times in 245 games, making him the fourth-highest goalscorer in its history.
“I have an emotional connection with the brand that has lasted for the last nine years. We began this journey together to develop something special, and Hublot is connected to football in many ways with its sponsorship of high-level competitions such as the Champions League,” he explained.
Speaking of the Champions League, Trezeguet expressed regret that he never managed to win European club football’s most prestigious competition.
He came within inches of doing so in the 2003 final at Old Trafford in Manchester. With Juventus and AC Milan tied at 0-0 after extra time, Trezeguet was one of three Juventus players to miss from the spot as Milan won the shootout.
Three years later when France met Italy at the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, Trezeguet again failed to convert his kick in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout as the Azzurri lifted the golden trophy.
“That is football. Just like in life, there are always the ups and downs. I won’t say (missing against Italy) was the most difficult moment in my career, because I still won a World Cup with France in 1998. But that’s all history now. There are the good times to remember, as well as the not-so-good ones,” he noted.
That said, does Trezeguet miss the adrenaline of competitive football, even after hanging up his boots for close to a decade?
He replied: “I get to experience the sport now as a fan and a spectator. Football remains my life and passion, and it’s a way of life. I will always cherish the times when I was part of the highest level of competition with my clubs and the national team.”
Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.