Serge Masnaghetti

Early career

Masnaghetti was born in Mancieulles in Lorraine on 15 April 1934. He began playing football for local amateur side AS Giraumont at the age of fourteen, and quickly made an impact, winning several local titles in a team including three other future France internationals (Bruno Rodzik, Marcel Adamczyk and future US Valenciennes-Anzin teammate Jean-Claude Piumi). It was not an easy path into football for Masnaghetti, who worked in the mines in the morning, trained in the afternoon, and played games on the weekend. Despite being sought after by several clubs, his father did not approve of him leaving to pursue football, and Masnaghetti instead enrolled in the army at the age of 20, serving for three years, of which two were spent in Algeria.

Valenciennes

After his return to France, Masnaghetti was spotted by US Valenciennes-Anzin manager Robert Domergue during a friendly match, who persuaded him to sign a professional contract with the then-Division 1 club in 1959, on the condition that the club would find him a job at a nearby mine if his footballing career didn't work out. Masnaghetti got off to a relatively strong start in Valenciennes, netting 8 times in 21 appearances in all competitions in his first half-season with the club, including a brace against reigning champions Reims. He struggled during the second half of the season, however, missing many chances and eventually being dropped. The following season, in which Valenciennes ended up…

Masnaghetti's strong Division 1 form in 1963 earned him two caps in friendly matches for the France national team. He debuted during the 0–0 draw against Spain on 9 January 1963, and he scored his only goal for France during the 2–1 loss against Belgium.

International

France score listed first, column indicates score after each Masnaghetti goal.

Following his playing career, Masnaghetti has continued to live in Valenciennes, working first as a football coach, and later as a taxi driver, following Valenciennes FC all the while. Following the death of Serge Roy on 26 December 2025, Masnaghetti became the oldest living former international footballer for France at the age of 91.