Public: It’s a surprise to discover you as a WW coach! Especially since it was you who approached the brand…
Djibril Cisse: Yes. Since I quit football, I coach my wife’s friends. And while searching the networks for tips to give them, I came across the new WW. I knew the former Weight Watchers, but there I saw a real update, with dynamic muses like my friend Chris Marques, Valérie Damidot, Vitaa… I thought it was cool and I contacted the mark to see if a collaboration was possible. I received a positive response very quickly. I will use my expertise to help people.
“Player, I had the worst diet ever!”
What is your relationship to your body? You do a lot of sports ?
Yes. At least an hour daily, with push-ups and abs, then rowing machine, treadmill or bike as desired. I continue to play a lot of football too.
Have you always been reasonable in terms of diet?
No ! Player, I had the worst diet in history. But I trained so much that I eliminated. On the other hand, with age, you have to be careful. I learned to restrict myself at the table. But I don’t forbid myself everything: I who love candy, I eat it once a week with my children. It’s too frustrating otherwise!
You started football very young. Wasn’t it too hard, all that discipline?
Football was my dream. So whatever had to be done, I did. I went to boarding school at 11, I no longer saw my mother and my brothers. Not everyone would accept it, but I’m quite determined: when I want something, I go for it, even knowing that there will be difficult times.
Do you sometimes regret having devoted all your youth to it?
No ! It’s true, at 15, I didn’t have a moped, no clubbing, no girlfriend… But with the life I’ve had and continue to have, I can’t not regret.
Did you have a delayed teenage crisis afterwards?
Let’s say today I’m 40, but not in my head! Football may have shifted things a bit. I am a teenager, despite my five children!
Yet you were a very young father!
I had my daughter at 20. It wasn’t planned, but I couldn’t imagine for a second not keeping it! And I think being a father at that age framed me and set me on the right path.
With the Benzema affair, we saw the very dark side of football. How did you take your indictment, then recognized as unjustified?
I’m straight in my sneakers! When I make a mistake, I say so. The Benzema story, I know what I did in it, that is to say nothing! I will not take for the others, nor incriminate them. I told the truth, from beginning to end.
Dals, The Best Pastry Chef, Mask Singer… You subscribe to TV shows! What is the next ?
Maybe Mike Horn’s. Or Automoto or Top Gear! As long as it doesn’t tarnish my image, that it doesn’t hurt my family, I like it. Some people I met in Dals are still in my life, like Chris or Silvia (Notargiacomo, his partner, editor’s note). Same for Mask Singer: when I saw that, I loved the concept. Knowing Camille Combal, I sent him a message to let me know if there was a second season.
Do you watch a lot of TV?
Especially series. And TPMP, because I’m very good friends with Cyril. I’m also a big fan of Les Douze coups de midi: I’m in front every day!
You are also a DJ and a fashion designer. You weren’t afraid that people would make fun of the sportsman-artist side?
No. Being a footballer, I had already made three films and I had started walking. I take full responsibility for what I do. Mockery is part of the game. When we are different, we divide! Me, I have always been myself.
What is the size of your closet?
I went hard: I had to transform a room! I have a particular passion for sneakers, with more than 1,000 pairs that have to be stored. Parting with it is not an option: I count on my sons to wear a 45, and take a few.
What father are you?
Very close to them. My eldest daughter, who studies dance, is 20 years old. I then have three sons in England, who play football. As for Gabriel, who is 6 years old, he is also starting football in a small club.
“With Laeticia, the feeling immediately passed”
Your five children have three different mothers. How do you manage such a blended family?
With the Covid, it’s complicated, but technology makes it possible to stay in touch. I live in Corsica, in Furiani, but I see my daughter, for example, every week when I come to work in Paris. On a daily basis, I am also with Gabriel, whom I have in shared custody.
You have a new darling, Laetitia. How was your story born?
Jean-Louis Leca, RC Lens goalkeeper, is married to Laeti’s sister. I separated, too, and he played the matchmaker. The feeling immediately passed! She is a dancer.
Do you see yourself having a sixth child with her?
It’s not planned: we don’t talk about it. Five is not bad! But a child remains a gift from God to which I will never say no.
Key dates
1. August 12, 1981
Born in Arles, as the youngest of seven siblings. His parents divorced when he was a child and he was raised by his mother.
2. June 2002
He participated in his first World Cup with the Blues, which France lost. “It’s still a source of pride to represent your country, to play with Zidane…”
3. 2020
The father of five children now spins the perfect love with a pretty dancer, Laetitia. A meeting orchestrated by a footballer friend…
4. January 2022
Djibril helps us get back in shape with WW, through vitaminized and personalized Instagram live. He would almost make us love sports!
See also: Video exclusive: “DALS? The biggest star of this year was Djibril Cissé”
Maelle Brown