Blanc, Zidane, Barthez and Lizarazu reunited in Bayonne for charity match

Laurent Blanc, Zinedine Zidane, Fabien Barthez and Bixente Lizarazu will take to the pitch at Jean-Dauger stadium in Bayonne on October 27 (7:30 p.m.) for a legends match organized for the 20th anniversary of the association “A Smile, A Hope for Life”, founded by former goalkeeper Pascal Olmeta.

The four 1998 World Cup champions will be joined by Jean-Pierre Papin, 1991 Ballon d’Or winner, to form a lineup that recalls the golden years of French football. For Blanc, it is an opportunity to lace up his boots for an evening, alongside teammates with whom he wrote one of the most significant pages in the history of the French national team.

The roster extends beyond football. Several French rugby legends have also confirmed their participation: Sébastien Chabal, Imanol Harinordoquy, Dimitri Yachvili and Camille Lopez will be among the participants, offering an unprecedented mix of two sports that are a source of pride for French sport.

Behind the event lies a concrete cause. Olmeta’s association helps sick children and their families by offering them moments of escape. “Some families struggle with sick children, the idea is to make them dream,” Pascal Olmeta explained to ICI Pays Basque. “This year, we took children to Eurodisney, we went to Canada. We will also accompany single mothers facing illness to a Céline Dion concert. When we told them, they cried on the phone.”

All proceeds from the match will go to the association. Tickets are available starting at €12.50, with a maximum price of €42.50.