Christian Lopez (footballer)
Christian Lopez (born 15 March 1953) is a French former professional footballer who played as a defender. As of 2021, he simultaneously works as sporting director and assistant coach for Championnat National 3 club Cannet Rocheville.[1][2]
![]() Lopez in 1976 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 15 March 1953 | ||
Place of birth | Aïn Témouchent, French Algeria | ||
Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Youth career | |||
1968–1969 | AS Rocheville | ||
1969–1971 | Saint-Étienne | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1971–1982 | Saint-Étienne | 350 | (21) |
1982–1985 | Toulouse | 79 | (7) |
1985–1986 | Montpellier | 24 | (2) |
1986–1987 | Montélimar | ||
Total | 453 | (30) | |
National team | |||
1975–1982 | France | 39 | (1) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Club career
Lopez was born in Aïn Témouchent, French Algeria. In a 15-year professional career, he amassed Ligue 1 totals of 429 games and 28 goals in representation of Saint-Étienne and Toulouse. He won seven major titles during his spell with the former club – including two doubles[3][4]– and shared teams with legendary Michel Platini in his final three seasons.[5]
Lopez spent the 1985–86 campaign in Ligue 2 with Montpellier, retiring at the age of 34 after a spell in amateur football with UMS Montélimar.[3]
International career
Over seven years, Lopez earned 39 caps for the France national team and scored once. He made his debut on 26 March 1975, in a friendly against Hungary (2–0 win in Paris).
Lopez was part of the squads that appeared in the 1978 and 1982 FIFA World Cups. He featured in four matches for the Bleus in the latter tournament, with the country finishing in fourth position.[6][7]
Honours
Saint-Étienne
- Division 1: 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1980–81
- Coupe de France: 1973–74, 1974–75, 1976–77; runner-up: 1980–81, 1981–82
- European Cup runner-up: 1975–76
References
- Bacqulé, Maxime (29 November 2021). "ES Cannet-Rocheville - OM : "fantastique pour le club" réagit Christian Lopez" [ES Cannet-Rocheville - OM: "fantastic for the club" reacts Christian Lopez]. France Bleu (in French). Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
- Albano, Mario (30 November 2021). "Coupe de France : l'ES Cannet-Rocheville pour l'OM en 32e de finale" [Coupe de France: ES Cannet-Rocheville for OM in the round of 64]. La Provence (in French). Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
- "Les joueurs les plus fidèles au maillot vert" [The most faithful players to the green shirt]. Le Progrès (in French). 26 February 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
- Talluto, Franck (9 May 2016). "1976, les verts écrivent la légende" [1976, the greens write the legend]. Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 22 October 2019.
- "Il y a quarante ans, Michel Platini signait à l'ASSE" [Forty years ago, Michel Platini signed with ASSE]. Le Progrès (in French). 27 July 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
- "World Cup 1978 finals". RSSSF. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
- "World Cup 1982 finals". RSSSF. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
External links
- Christian Lopez at the French Football Federation (in French)
- Christian Lopez at the French Football Federation (archived) (in French)
- Christian Lopez at National-Football-Teams.com
- Christian Lopez – FIFA competition record (archived)