Alain Boghossian
Thursday, September 24, 2020Alain Boghossian (born 27 October 1970) is a French former professional footballer, who played as a midfielder. He serves as an assistant coach for the French national team.
Born in Digne-les-Bains, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Alain Boghossian began playing football in the reserves of Olympique de Marseille. After a sole season on Marseille in Ligue 1, Boghossian joined Ligue 2 club Istres in order to get match practice. He returned to Marseille after a season in Istres. Boghossian moved to Italy in 1994 and was brought into Serie A club S.S.C. Napoli. He played on Napoli for three years and then played on U.C. Sampdoria for a season. Boghossian became a member of Parma A.C. in 1998, where he had his most successful years of his club career. He competed alongside compatriot Lilian Thuram on Parma. Parma won the 1998–99 UEFA Europa League, defeating Marseille 3–1 in the finals. Boghossian scored one goal at the 1998–99 UEFA Cup, the third goal in a 3–1 victory over Fenerbahçe during the second leg. While Boghossian played for Parma, the club went on to win the Italian Supercup in 1999 and the Italian Cup in 1998–99 and 2002. He scored the second decisive goal in the 2–1 victory of Parma over Milan in the 1999 Supercoppa Italiana final. Boghossian signed a contract with La Liga club RCD Espanyol in 2002.
Due to several injuries received throughout the year, Boghossian retired as a football player at the end of the season in June 2003.
Boghossian turned down offers to play for the Armenia national football team.
He became an international player for France in 1997, and won the 1998 World Cup with France. He replaced Christian Karembeu in the final against Brazil during the second half. The day before the Euro 2000 started, Boghossian was injured and was forced to miss it. He also appeared at the 2002 World Cup, and in total made 26 international appearances, scoring 2 goals.