Bernard Lama

Early years

Lama left Guiana in 1981 to come to metropolitan France, without his father's consent but determined to become a professional footballer, where he was first signed by Division 1 club Lille. In 1982, he was loaned to Abbeville, where he did not make any appearances. After a year, he returned to Lille, only to be loaned again to Besançon. He did get some play time that year, and his performances were convincing enough for Lille to agree to keep him for the following season. From then on, Lama played regularly, and even scored a goal (a penalty kick during the 8–0 win over Laval on 31 May 1989), but was never the indisputable number 1 keeper he aspired to be, and so he decided to leave. He spent one year in Metz, and then took part in Brest's last season in the first division. Lama actually played every single league game during those two seasons. He then spent one year with Lens, where his performances attracted the attention of Paris Saint-Germain, which offered him a five-year contract.

The golden years

In Paris, Lama had to replace the iconic Joël Bats, and his impressive performances quickly showed he was up for the task. His career took a new dimension when he took part in European competitions, and even got called up for the France national team. He won the Coupe de France twice in 1993 and 1995, and in 1996, his most prestigious trophy yet, the European Cup Winners' Cup.

Downfall

Despite an interest from La Liga giants Barcelona,…

Lama's debut with the France national team was on 17 February 1993 against Israel in a 4–0 victory, and he would go on to win 44 caps for his nation. Lama played in the Euro 1996 finals, and was a substitute at the Euro 2000 finals. He also won the 1998 FIFA World Cup as a substitute of Fabien Barthez but did not play a single match.

Lama was a goalkeeper who possessed excellent reflexes and shot-stopping capabilities, and was known for his ability to pull off spectacular saves. He is considered to be one of the best French goalkeepers in history, being named the greatest French goalkeeper of all time in IFFHS' Century elections.

Bernard Pascal Maurice Lama was born on 7 April 1963 in Saint-Symphorien, Indre-et-Loire, a commune that merged into the neighboring Tours in 1964.