Bruno Martini, iconic goalkeeper of France and Auxerre, dies at 58

Bruno Martini, one of the most decorated goalkeepers in French football during the 1980s and 1990s, died on October 20, 2020 at the age of 58, just days after suffering cardio-respiratory failure. French football pays tribute to him six years after his passing.

A native of Nevers in Burgundy, Martini built his legend at AJ Auxerre, where he succeeded Joël Bats in 1983 under Guy Roux. He was the goalkeeper during the club’s European adventures against Ajax and Borussia Dortmund in 1993, two fixtures that marked the history of French football. His consistency and excellence earned him two selections as France Football’s Golden Star of the French championship, in 1987 and 1991 — an award that recognized the season’s most outstanding player, typically reserved for leading figures like Maxime Bossis, Luis Fernandez or Basile Boli.

With the French national team, Martini accumulated 31 caps and spanned three generations. He joined the Bleus in 1986, in the final days of the magic square led by Michel Platini, before establishing himself as number one under Platini’s management, until Euro 1992 which ended in a first-round elimination. Bernard Lama then took his place in the starting eleven, but Martini remained in the squad until Euro 1996, alongside most of the future World Cup winners, including Zinédine Zidane. “Great goalkeeper, intelligent, discreet. Shocked. Very sad,” Bixente Lizarazu had reacted on the day of his death.

After his playing career — he notably played for Montpellier from 1995 to 1999 — Martini began a long career as a coach on the France staff. Goalkeeping coach from 1999 to 2010, he was part of the Euro 2000 won by France, witnessed the 2006 World Cup final lost on penalties to Italy, and was on Raymond Domenech’s staff during the Knysna mutiny in South Africa. An entire career in service of French football, from the Auxerre goal to the benches of the world’s greatest competitions.