TUESDAY would, said Florent Sinama-Pongolle in the understated manner that is his style, feel “a very special night”. He had known one or two at Anfield during his four years there - fewer than he would have liked - and one memorable enough that he can foresee his name being applauded on Tuesday night. Without Sinama-Pongolle, Liverpool would not have won the European Cup in 2005. Without his equalising goal on a dramatic December evening against Olympiakos, Liverpool would not have reached the knockout stage.
At Liverpool, Sinama-Pongolle - “Flo” to his friends - had a career of cameos, no more. In Spain, where he has spent the past two seasons, joining Atletico Madrid at the beginning of this, his third in La Liga, he can boast much better. Indeed, last month, Sinama-Pongolle made his senior international debut for France. He did not turn 24 until 11 days ago. Still to reach his prime, he has already been on quite a zigzag of a journey.
Flo Sinama-Pongolle was discovered by Gerard Houllier, Liverpool manager at the time, playing for France at the 2001 under-17 world championships, where he emerged the outstanding player. Although he and his contemporary, Anthony Le Tallec, from Le Havre, made a big noise, neither broke through to establish first-team status and Sinama-Pongolle was subsequently lent to Blackburn Rovers by Houllier’s successor, Rafa Benitez. Still, it was Benitez who helped make the deal that relaunched him.
He joined newly promoted Recreativo de Huelva in the summer of 2006 and from there his career flew, his goals helping Recre to a healthy eighth in La Liga. The next season, he contributed as effectively. Benfica wanted him; so did Paris St Germain. Atletico had lost a striker, Fernando Torres, and they paid £5m for Sinama-Pongolle in July 2008 and after a month of this season, he was La Liga’s highest scorer. “It was a great run, everything I tried went in,” he says. “But I am mature enough to know I wouldn’t always be like that.”
Despite his success, Sinama-Pongolle had been sad to leave Liverpool. “They gave me so much, but by the end I needed to play first-team football,” he added. “Coming to Spain has been good. I’ve worked hard for this, pushed myself.”
Come Tuesday, Sinama-Pongolle will have a special interest in shining. “It’s a big night for me. For players like Torres and Pepe Reina, it was special coming to Madrid. Me, I’ve been looking forward to going back to Anfield.”
At Liverpool, Sinama-Pongolle - “Flo” to his friends - had a career of cameos, no more. In Spain, where he has spent the past two seasons, joining Atletico Madrid at the beginning of this, his third in La Liga, he can boast much better. Indeed, last month, Sinama-Pongolle made his senior international debut for France. He did not turn 24 until 11 days ago. Still to reach his prime, he has already been on quite a zigzag of a journey.
Flo Sinama-Pongolle was discovered by Gerard Houllier, Liverpool manager at the time, playing for France at the 2001 under-17 world championships, where he emerged the outstanding player. Although he and his contemporary, Anthony Le Tallec, from Le Havre, made a big noise, neither broke through to establish first-team status and Sinama-Pongolle was subsequently lent to Blackburn Rovers by Houllier’s successor, Rafa Benitez. Still, it was Benitez who helped make the deal that relaunched him.
He joined newly promoted Recreativo de Huelva in the summer of 2006 and from there his career flew, his goals helping Recre to a healthy eighth in La Liga. The next season, he contributed as effectively. Benfica wanted him; so did Paris St Germain. Atletico had lost a striker, Fernando Torres, and they paid £5m for Sinama-Pongolle in July 2008 and after a month of this season, he was La Liga’s highest scorer. “It was a great run, everything I tried went in,” he says. “But I am mature enough to know I wouldn’t always be like that.”
Despite his success, Sinama-Pongolle had been sad to leave Liverpool. “They gave me so much, but by the end I needed to play first-team football,” he added. “Coming to Spain has been good. I’ve worked hard for this, pushed myself.”
Come Tuesday, Sinama-Pongolle will have a special interest in shining. “It’s a big night for me. For players like Torres and Pepe Reina, it was special coming to Madrid. Me, I’ve been looking forward to going back to Anfield.”
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