Latest news with #ChristianKarembeu
RNZ News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
OFC Professional League will revolutionlise football in the Pacific
OFC Men's Champions League 2025. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Former FIFA World Cup winner Christian Karembeu believes the new Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Professional League will be the critical next step to close the gap between the Pacific with the rest of the world. Karembeu told OFC Media that after witnessing Auckland City's extraordinary performance against Argentina's Boca Juniors at the recent 2025 FIFA Club World Cup , that the introduction of professional football around Oceania will be a game-changer. "The new Pro League will be a revolution for our region," the New Caledonia-born midfielder, who lifted the FIFA World Cup with France and the Champions League trophy with Real Madrid, said. He said the Pacific is blessed with incredibly natural athletes and feels that the new OFC Pro League, with professional coaches and managers, could quickly develop Oceania's amateur players into world-beaters. "Just look at the All Blacks, who have given athletes from Tonga, Samoa and Fiji the chance to develop in their amazing environment and have reaped the benefits of turning that raw talent into rugby superstars," he said.. Photo: Oceania Football Confederation Karembeu points at his own success, as well as former Socceroos legend Tim Cahill, and more recently All Whites midfielder Marko Stamenic, as players with Pacific Island heritage to perform well at the highest stage. The former Real Madrid star said the Pacific players have always had the talent, but never the appropriate guidance to teach them what is expected from a professional player. "They will be educated how to train, how to recover, how to eat, about intensity and quality, and when you can go out or need to stay at home," he said. "Players need to learn how to create a routine and clubs need experts to show them the way to be a professional." He added the new teams will need quality managers, coaches and experts in human resources, accommodation and transport and anything else required to run a professional sports organisation. "When you are an amateur player, you can do whatever you want," he said. "But when you are in a professional league and professional club, you have to behave like that. If you do not want to make those sacrifices, you do not belong, so it all comes down to discipline." Karembeu said Pacific players have grown up to be respectful and humble, which will help them make the transition into the professional game. "But they will also not be intimidated, because in the islands we are all warriors. "They will just have to realise in the professional environment many players will be better than them, so they have to humble, observe and learn to become better players." Karembeu said coaches or clubs with a European background need to understand the cultural background of the players to get the best out of them, before they discard a player out of ignorance or misunderstanding. -OFC
Forbes
31-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Real Madrid Legend Blasts Club's Galacticos Era
A Real Madrid legend criticized the 'Galacticos' era of his former club while in Munich to enjoy the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan. The term was coined during President Florentino Perez's first mandate at the turn of the century, when he went out and bought the likes of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario and David Beckham. While it was a marketing dream come true for the Spanish soccer giant to have so many superstars in the same outfit, their collective success left a lot to be desired while there was no UCL crown forthcoming between 2002 and 2014 for the 15-time winners. Asked about the final in Munich, legendary midfielder Christian Karembeu, who played for Madrid between 1997 and 2000, acknowledged that the French club in the tie is a favourite but said 'in football you never know. Inter beat Barça suffering and PSG are in the mood to be champions'. Talking about his compatriot Kylian Mbappe, Karembeu said that 'at Madrid he has had a magical season scoring goals and adapting quickly… Hopefully it will help him in the future to reach the Champions League final'. 'For me, his departure from PSG has nothing to do with PSG being in the final, the issue is that 14 years later it can win the title because it has been laying the foundations to reap the rewards. We don't win anything with the Galacticos. Luis Enrique has made a team to win,' Karembeu concluded, in what could be taken as a criticism of the Galacticos era. One of its main protagonists Luis Figo, who switched from bitter rival FC Barcelona in the year Karembeu fled the Bernabeu, 2000, said that as a 'fan', he sees there are 'so many strong teams, who have the same aspirations, [which means] that you can't always win'. 'It's very boring when the same team always won, but you have to learn the lesson from the club, to sign, improve in whatever is necessary, bring in whoever can improve the team and try again next year,' the Portuguese, who played for Real Madrid for half a decade, added.
RNZ News
22-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Former FIFA World Cup winner praises OFC's development work
FIFA World Cup winner Christian Karembeu described the OFC U15 Boys Development tournament as an "essential pathway" for young footballers in the region. The New Caledonia-born former Real Madrid star is in Auckland as part of the collaboration between UEFA Together and OFC. Photo: OFC Former FIFA World Cup winner Christian Karembeu believes upgraded facilities and human resources are critical to help move football in the islands forward. Karembeu, who was born in New Caledonia and played for France in their 1998 World Cup victory, was guest at the Oceania Football Under-15 Boys Development Tournament held in Auckland over the past week. He praised the regional youth tournaments and development programs as an 'essential pathway' for footballers across the Pacific Islands and Oceania. He spoke to reporters at a press conference and zoom session on Easter Monday and praised the Auckland event and said having facilities and upgraded human resources are critical as well. "What we're missing in the region are facilities and qualified human resources," he said. "It's not just about the players, it's also about educating coaches, technical staff and administrators. That's what UEFA Together is helping us do." Karembeu, who attended the event in Auckland as part of the UEFA partnership with the OFC, said he did not go through youth development programs such as the Under-15 tournament. "I never had this kind of opportunity," he said. "This initiative is a great vision for our kids, our youths to develop themselves, improve their skills. "These boys are very lucky. To have a tournament like this at U15 level, supported by UEFA and OFC, is a real privilege. It gives them international experience, exposure, and helps them understand what it takes to improve and pursue their dreams." He said tournaments like the OFC U15 Development Tournament is an important first step for players, even before dreaming about professional football or playing in World Cups. "They need competitions like this. It's where development starts and for me, being here to support and inspire them is part of my responsibility," reflected Karembeu, who won two UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid during his career. The long-term goal, he said, is to see more nations from the Pacific competing regularly at FIFA tournaments. He said Oceania's increasing presence in youth World Cups (three teams from Oceania, New Zealand, Fiji and New Caledonia will compete at this year's FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar). He noted that several players from the 2023 U-17 World Cup had previously taken part in the U-15 Boys Development Tournament - evidence of real progress. The Solomon Islands under-15 team celebrating a win at the OFC Under-15s development tournament in Auckland. Photo: OFC Beyond the pitch, he believes football has a bigger role to play. "In New Caledonia, we are facing social and political challenges," he said. "Football can be a solution. It can unite people, give young people something to believe in, and provide them with opportunities." On that note, he shared his thoughts about his own fellow countrymen from New Caledonia, who have a chance to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. New Caledonia compete at next year's 2026 FIFA World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoff, to be played in March. They lost to New Zealand at the final of the OFC qualifiers. Kerembeu said he is keen to help both teams in whatever way he can, to ensue that Oceania has two teams at the world meet, adding New Caledonia will now also need to get some top competitive matches moving forward. "I hope they will accomplish something great, not only for New Caledonia but also for the region," he said. "I hope we will be the second team in that competition because it's going to be big impact. If New Caledonia go through we have at least great visibility for our region. "The idea is this, I think that we need the competitors, opponents, to prepare them for a bigger achievement." The Samoa Under-15 teams at the event in Auckland last week. Photo: OFC Karembeu, who works at Greek Super League club Olympiacos, has also shown strong support for the OFC Professional League, which is set to kick off in January, 2026. "For me, it's a revolution. It's going to change football in the Pacific," he told the media. "But federations need to be ready. A professional league brings responsibility, structure and higher standards. It's not just about passion anymore: it becomes a job, a daily commitment." Kerembeu said the league can also become a pathway for players to earn contracts in other leagues around the globe, and he has called on players who will be part of the competition to take their chance. "I think that one game can be a change for any players," he said. "It doesn't matter the tournament, but one game can give a chance or opportunity to any players from the region, to be able to be seen, watched and maybe to think about the transfer to Europe. "Because the chance is there, the experience is there, the opportunity is there. Now they need to grab it. They need to play. And hopefully we know that the scout is everywhere in the world, now it's digital. We can see how they play and how we can recruit." Kerembeu, who was born and raised in Lifou, New Caledonia, won two UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid during his career.
Scoop
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
New Caledonia-born FIFA World Cup Winner Impressed By OFC U-15 Boys Development Tournament In Auckland
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation New Caledonia-born FIFA World Cup winner Christian Karembeu has praised the OFC U-15 Boys Development Tournament held in Auckland, New Zealand, over the past week, describing it as a privilege and an essential pathway for young footballers across … Karembeu, who lifted the FIFA World Cup with France in 1998, is attending the tournament as part of the UEFA Together initiative in partnership with OFC. He's taken time to speak with the players, coaches and staff, offering inspiration and insight drawn from his remarkable career. 'These boys are very lucky,' he said. 'To have a tournament like this at U-15 level, supported by UEFA and OFC, is a real privilege. It gives them international experience, exposure, and helps them understand what it takes to improve and pursue their dreams.' Karembeu was born and raised in Lifou, New Caledonia, and understands better than most the power of opportunity—and how rare it can be for Pacific Island players. He sees tournaments like the OFC U-15 Development Tournament as a vital first step in a longer journey. 'Before dreaming about professional football or playing in World Cups, they need competitions like this. It's where development starts. And for me, being here to support and inspire them is part of my responsibility,' reflected Karembeu, who won two UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid during his career. The long-term goal, he says, is to see more nations from the Pacific competing regularly at FIFA tournaments. Karembeu referenced Oceania's increasing presence in youth World Cups (three teams from Oceania, New Zealand, Fiji and New Caledonia will compete at this year's FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar). He noted that several players from the 2023 U-17 World Cup had previously taken part in the U-15 Boys Development Tournament—evidence of real progress. But he also pointed to areas that need attention. 'What we're missing in the region are facilities and qualified human resources,' he said. 'It's not just about the players—it's also about educating coaches, technical staff and administrators. That's what UEFA Together is helping us do.' Beyond the pitch, he believes football has a bigger role to play. 'In New Caledonia, we are facing social and political challenges. Football can be a solution. It can unite people, give young people something to believe in, and provide them with opportunities.' Karembeu who works at Greek Super League club Olympiacos has voiced strong support for the newly announced OFC Pro League, set to start in early 2026. 'For me, it's a revolution. It's going to change football in the Pacific. But federations need to be ready. A professional league brings responsibility, structure and higher standards. It's not just about passion anymore: it becomes a job, a daily commitment.' Karembeu will be closely following Auckland City FC's journey at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, where they will represent Oceania as the only amateur club in a field of global giants. 'It's a dream come true,' he said. 'To face teams like Bayern Munich and Benfica—this is why these opportunities matter. Auckland City has shown they belong, now it's about belief. It's only 90 minutes. Anything can happen.' Asked if he'd spotted any players at the U-15 tournament who reminded him of a young Christian Karembeu, he smiled. 'Many,' he replied. 'Some of these boys were here last year or the year before. There's continuity. Their federations are following their progress. This programme is working.' And with UEFA and OFC continuing to grow their partnership, Karembeu is optimistic about what lies ahead. 'We're laying the foundations. From grassroots to professional, the future of football in Oceania is bright.'
