By Vera Martirosyan/Vera&Football

Photo by Paruir Siniavsky/NEWS.am

French football legend Vincent Candela is in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan these days to play in a friendly match devoted to the 60th birth anniversary of Khoren Hovhannisyan, the legendary player of FC Ararat Yerevan (Armenia) and the ex-USSR national squad. 

Armenian News-NEWS.am spoke with Candela, who has won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the Euro 2000 with France. Below is an abridged version of our talk with him.

How did you agree to participate in the match devoted to Khoren Hovhannisyan’s [birth] anniversary? 

I was very happy for the invitation, since many famous football players are gathering here. We all closely interact with each other. I’m twice as happy for the fact that all proceeds from the game will go to charity. The crazy love toward football unites us all. I’m confident that a very good game awaits us. I’m very happy to be participating in a game devoted to the [birth] anniversary of Khoren Hovhannisyan, a man who has created the history of Armenian football.

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What do you know about Armenia?

My friend from the French national squad, Youri Djorkaeff, has told me a lot about Armenia and his roots. He always noted that it’s important to be connected to your roots. He told about his family, the difficulties that he has overcome, and also about his father, who likewise was a football player.

What are you doing now?

I have recently finished the [football] coaching school. I hope to work as a coach in the near future.

To note, the aforesaid friendly will be played on Saturday in Yerevan, and between the ex-USSR and world stars’ teams.