Bruno Bellone
Bruno Bellone is a French former professional footballer born in 1962.
He earned 34 caps and scored two goals for France from 1981 to 1988, including one in the final of the 1984 European Championships.
Bellone played a crucial role in the controversial penalty incident during France's 1986 World Cup quarter-final against Brazil.
Biography
Early Life and Career
Bruno Bellone, born in 1962, is a former professional footballer from France who played primarily as a winger. His football journey began at AS Monaco FC, where he played from 1980 to 1987, contributing significantly to the team's success. He later had stints with AS Cannes and Montpellier Hérault Sport Club, showcasing his skills on the field until his retirement due to an ankle injury at the young age of 28.
International Achievements
Bellone earned 34 caps for the French national team between 1981 and 1988, scoring two goals. Notably, he was part of the squad that triumphed in the 1984 UEFA European Championship, scoring in the final against Spain. He also represented France in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, where he played a pivotal role in the quarter-final match against Brazil, marked by a controversial penalty incident that remains a talking point in football history.
Personal Life and Legacy
After retiring, Bellone faced personal challenges, including financial difficulties following poor investments. However, he managed to overcome these setbacks, aided by a gala match organized in his honor in 1999. Since then, he has worked as a sports technical advisor in Le Cannet and is a proud father of four. His contributions to French football, particularly during the 1980s, have left a lasting legacy, highlighted by his honors with Monaco and the national team.
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Career & Clubs
Bellone played a significant role in two key incidents in France's 1986 World Cup quarter final against Brazil. Firstly, as the end of extra-time approached, he had a clear opportunity to score the winning goal, as he rounded Brazil goalkeeper Carlos on the edge of the penalty area. He was blocked by Carlos as he went past him, thus knocking him off balance and preventing him to reach the ball in time to score. The referee did not give a foul. In the penalty shoot-out, Bellone took France's third kick. The ball hit the post and rebounded onto Carlos and then back into the goal. Despite Brazilian protests, the goal was allowed to stand. France manager Henri Michel, confronted after the game with the possibility that Bellone's penalty should not have stood, pointed to the Carlos incident in open play and said "There was a certain justice in that". The laws of football were later clarified in favour of the referee's decision.
- Club
- Montpellier Hérault Sport Club (1988–1989)
- Club
- AS Cannes (1987–1988)
- Club
- AS Monaco FC (1980–1987)
- Club
- AS Cannes (1989–1990)
- Club
- France men's national association football team (1981–1988)
- National team
- France
Personal
Bellone had to retire from football at the age of 28, following an ankle injury. He then suffered a series of personal setbacks, losing his savings in ill-fated investments. In 1998, Radio France wrongly reported that he had died. Bellone was able to pay off his debts in 1999, after a gala match was organised in his honour in Cannes. Since 2007, he has been working as a sports technical advisor for the commune of Le Cannet. He is a father of four.
Legacy
Monaco
Division 1: 1981–82 Coupe de France: 1984–85 France
UEFA European Championship: 1984 Artemio Franchi Cup: 1985
Clubs
Played together with
- Aadil AssanaAS Monaco FC · 2011–2014
Abdelaziz Ben TifourAS Monaco FC · 1956–1958- Abdelaziz Ben TifourFrance men's national association football team · 1952–1957
Abdelhamid El KaoutariMontpellier Hérault Sport Club · 2007–2015- Abdelhamid KermaliAS Cannes · 1953–1955
- Abdelkader Ben BoualiFrance men's national association football team · 1937–1937
- Abdelkader Ben BoualiMontpellier Hérault Sport Club · 1933–1935
Abdelkader FerhaouiAS Cannes · 1993–1996- Abdelkader FerhaouiMontpellier Hérault Sport Club · 1985–1993
- Abdelkader FerhaouiMontpellier Hérault Sport Club · 1996–1998
Abdellah KharbouchiAS Cannes · 2009–2010- Abdellah LiegeonAS Monaco FC · 1981–1987
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Bruno Bellone is a French former professional footballer who played as a winger, and who earned 34 caps and scored two goals for France from 1981 to 1988. One of the goals was in the final of the 1984 European Championships, where France defeated Spain 2–0 to win the title. He was also in France's 1982 and 1986 World Cup squads.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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