View source for Robert Pires

{{Short description|French footballer (born 1973)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Robert Pires
| image = Robert Pires 2011.jpg
| caption = Pires in 2011
| full_name = Robert Emmanuel Pires<ref>{{cite web |url=http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=11290 |title=Acta del Partido celebrado el 15 de mayo de 2010, en Zaragoza |trans-title=Minutes of the Match held on 15 May 2010, in Zaragoza |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190616013446/http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=11290 |archive-date=16 June 2019 |language=es}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|10|29|df=y}}<ref>{{Hugman|15811|access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Reims]], France
| height = 1.87 m<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/robert-pires-2147/ |title=Robert Pires |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=30 November 2020}}</ref>
| position = [[Winger (association football)|Winger]], [[attacking midfielder]]
| currentclub = 
| youthyears1 = 1980–1989
| youthclubs1 = [[EF Reims Sainte-Anne|Reims Sainte-Anne]]
| youthyears2 = 1989–1991
| youthclubs2 = [[Stade de Reims|Reims]]
| years1 = 1991–1992
| clubs1 = [[Stade de Reims|Reims]]
| caps1 = 5
| goals1 = 2
| years2 = 1992–1993
| clubs2 = [[FC Metz|Metz B]]
| caps2 = 23
| goals2 = 5
| years3 = 1993–1998
| clubs3 = [[FC Metz|Metz]]
| caps3 = 162
| goals3 = 43
| years4 = 1998–2000
| clubs4 = [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]]
| caps4 = 66
| goals4 = 8
| years5 = 2000–2006
| clubs5 = [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
| caps5 = 189
| goals5 = 62
| years6 = 2006–2010
| clubs6 = [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]]
| caps6 = 103
| goals6 = 13
| years7 = 2010–2011
| clubs7 = [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
| caps7 = 9
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2014–2015
| clubs8 = [[FC Goa|Goa]]
| caps8 = 8
| goals8 = 1
| totalcaps = 565
| totalgoals = 134
<!-- This is ONLY for LEAGUE GOALS. DON'T add other goals. FA Cup goals do not count. -->| nationalyears1 = 1995–1996
| nationalteam1 = [[France national under-21 football team|France U21]]
| nationalcaps1 = 12
| nationalgoals1 = 5
| nationalyears2 = 1996–2004
| nationalteam2 = [[France national football team|France]]
| nationalcaps2 = 79
| nationalgoals2 = 14
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|FRA}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]]|}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[UEFA European Championship]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]]|}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[2003 FIFA Confederations Cup|2003]]|}}
}}
'''Robert Emmanuel Pires''' (born 29 October 1973) is a French former professional [[association football|footballer]].<ref name=CoachPires>{{cite news |url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/09/15/jeff-reine-adelaide-reveals-hes-learning-from-arsenal-legend-robert-pires-6129632/ |title=Jeff Reine Adelaide reveals he is learning from Arsenal legend Robert Pires |newspaper=Metro |location=London}}</ref> He is widely regarded as one of [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]'s greatest ever players and considered by some to be one of the best wingers in the history of the sport.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://soccerprime.com/best-wingers-of-all-time/ |title=14 Greatest Wingers of All Time  |language=en |publisher=Soccerprime |last=Smith |first=Connor |date=8 September 2022 |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hayward |first=Ben |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/best-wingers-in-football-history|title=Best wingers in football history|work=[[FourFourTwo]]|date=28 November 2023|accessdate=28 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author1=Mark White |date=19 August 2024 |title=Ranked! The 20 best Premier League wingers ever |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ranked-the-20-best-premier-league-wingers-ever/2 |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=fourfourtwo.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author1=Hal Fish |author2=Daniel Hepburn |date=28 February 2024 |title=The 10 Best Premier League Wingers of all Time Ranked |url=https://www.givemesport.com/who-is-the-premier-leagues-greatest-ever-winger/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=GiveMeSport |language=en}}</ref>

Pires played for French clubs [[FC Metz|Metz]] and [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]] prior to his time with [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], where he won three [[FA Cup]]s and two [[Premier League]] titles, including the club's unbeaten season of [[2003–04 FA Premier League|2003–04]]. A former [[France national football team|France]] international, Pires earned 79 caps between 1996 and 2004 for his country, including winning both the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] and [[UEFA Euro 2000]]. He has been included in the [[PFA Team of the Year]] for the [[PFA Team of the Year#2001.E2.80.9302|2001–02]], [[PFA Team of the Year#FA Premier League 11|2002–03]] and [[PFA Team of the Year#FA Premier League 12|2003–04]] seasons, was the Player of the Tournament for the [[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup]], [[FWA Player of the Year]] for the 2001–02 season, [[Ligue 1]] Young Player of the Year for the [[1995–96 French Division 1|1995–96]] season, and was included in the [[FIFA 100]] by [[Pelé]]. He was also voted by Arsenal fans as the sixth greatest player in the club's history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/history/gunners-greatest-50-players |title=Gunners greatest 50 players |date=3 September 2023 |publisher=Arsenal F.C.}}</ref>

Pires played the majority of his career as a [[Midfielder#Winger|left winger]], but could also play all across the [[Midfielder|midfield]] or in a position to [[Forward (association football)#Second striker|support the forward]] line. Following his retirement, Pires returned to Arsenal as an individual coach and later as a coach in [[Baller League]].<ref name=CoachPires /><ref name=BallerLeaguePires>{{cite web|title=Baller League teams and managers: Angry Ginge, PK Humble, Arsenal Invincibles, John Terry, Alisha Lehmann and more|date=14 April 2025|publisher=Sky Sports|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13346437/baller-league-teams-and-managers-angry-ginge-pk-humble-arsenal-invincibles-john-terry-alisha-lehmann-and-more|access-date=8 October 2025}}</ref>

==Early life==
Pires was born in [[Reims]], France,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur2883.html |title=Robert Pires |newspaper=L'Équipe |location=Paris |access-date=26 December 2020 |language=fr}}</ref> to a Portuguese father and Spanish mother. Pires, the elder of two boys, spent most of his childhood dressed in two football shirts that reflected his divided loyalty. One was a [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] shirt (his father was a fan) and the other was a [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] shirt. Pires confessed he had difficulty in school because he did not speak French well at the time, due to the fact his parents only spoke Spanish and Portuguese.<ref name="The Times">{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article818672.ece?token=null&offset=24 |newspaper=The Times |location=London |title=Robert Pires the laughing cavalier |first=Paul |last=Kimmage |date=27 October 2002 |access-date=22 May 2010}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> His passion for football was inherited from his father, António, who played with ''Les Corpo'', a local team, and every Saturday night Pires would watch him play. At the age of 15, Pires left school and began his dream of a career in football with a two-year sports degree course in Reims. At the insistence of his mother, Pires continued with [[Stade de Reims|Reims]] and eventually was called up{{clarify|date=July 2024}} four years later.<ref name="The Times"/>

==Club career==
===France===
Pires is a graduate of the [[FC Metz|Metz]] youth academy, making his senior debut in 1993 against [[Olympique Lyonnais|Lyon]]. During his six seasons there, he scored 43 goals in 162 matches, and won the [[Coupe de la Ligue]], prompting a £5&nbsp;million move to [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]] in 1998. Pires had a mixed two-year stay in [[Provence]]; his first season saw Marseille miss the [[1998–99 French Division 1]] title by a point (he had been even closer [[1997–98 French Division 1|the year before]] when Metz had finished runners-up on goal difference) and they also reached the [[1999 UEFA Cup Final]], losing to [[Parma A.C.|Parma]]. His second season saw him suffer a spate of on- and off-field problems, which led him to boycott the club at the season's end.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/england/news/2001/1120/20011120afcpires.html |title=Mrs Pires happy with her rain man |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=20 November 2001 |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622094439/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/england/news/2001/1120/20011120afcpires.html |archive-date=22 June 2011}}</ref>

===Arsenal===
[[File:Robert Pires1.JPG|thumb|upright|Pires (pictured in 2004) spent six seasons at [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]]]

====2000–01====
Pires was signed by [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] for £6&nbsp;million in 2000, after stiff competition from [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] and [[Juventus FC|Juventus]], replacing [[Marc Overmars]], who had left for [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] for a record £25&nbsp;million.<ref name="The Times"/> He made his debut as a substitute against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] on 19 August 2000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/887663.stm |title=Quinn header edges out Gunners |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 August 2000 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> Initially, Pires' form was indifferent, and some people criticised him after his comments that the English game was too physical. However, he slowly began to regain the form he had shown at Metz, scoring a superb solo goal in October 2000, his first for Arsenal, against [[S.S. Lazio|Lazio]] in the [[2000–01 UEFA Champions League|2000–01 Champions League]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/977349.stm |title=Pires sends Arsenal through |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 October 2000 |access-date=20 September 2009}}</ref> Days later he scored his first league goal in a 2–1 win against [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/982086.stm |title=Pires guns down Hammers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 October 2000 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> During his time at Arsenal Pires had a habit of scoring against rivals [[Tottenham Hotspur]], something he did on eight occasions.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2019/september/harry-kane-and-our-derby-goalscorers/ |title=Harry Kane and our derby goalscorers |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |date=2 September 2019 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> The first of such occasions came in a league game on 31 March 2001 when Arsenal won 2–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1249426.stm |title=Gunners take Spurs apart |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 March 2001 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> A week later he scored against Tottenham again, this time the winner in the [[FA Cup]] semi-finals.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1266295.stm |title=Arsenal sink rivals Spurs |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 April 2001 |access-date=20 September 2009}}</ref> However, Arsenal went on to lose the [[2001 FA Cup Final|Cup final]] to [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] 2–1; Pires set up Arsenal's goal for [[Freddie Ljungberg]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1324699.stm |title=Owen shatters Arsenal in Cup final |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2001 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref>

====2001–02====
By [[2001–02 in English football|2001–02]], Pires had fully got to grips with the English game and had one of his best seasons. Pires scored superb goals against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] and [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]. Against Aston Villa, Pires chased after a long ball by Freddie Ljungberg, and lobbed the ball over the pursuing [[George Boateng]], and finished off the move with a delightful lob over [[Peter Schmeichel]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1730993.stm |title=Arsenal comeback sinks Boro |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 December 2001 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1873883.stm |title=Arsenal see off Villa |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 March 2002 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> Pires also scored in a 1–1 draw against Tottenham at [[White Hart Lane]], which would commence a sequence of five consecutive league seasons in which he would score in the North London Derby away at their rivals.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1656818.stm |title=Sol suffers in derby draw |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 November 2001 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> He led the [[Premier League]] assist charts and was voted both [[FWA Footballer of the Year]] and Arsenal's player of the season, as Arsenal won the league title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arsenal Statistics 2001/02 |url=http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=1&season=2001&area=squad |website=KickOff.co.uk |access-date=30 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101175446/http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=1&season=2001&area=squad|archive-date=1 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Pires provided the assist for [[Dennis Bergkamp]] when he scored his memorable pirouette goal against [[Newcastle United]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1847918.stm |title=Arsenal stun Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 March 2002 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> However weeks later against the same opposition in the [[FA Cup]] Pires suffered a [[cruciate ligament]] injury (a game in which he had earlier scored).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1886654.stm |title=Arsenal ease past Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 March 2002 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> This also ruled him out of playing in the [[2002 FA Cup Final]] and the 2002 World Cup with France.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/mar/25/newsstory.sport5 |title=Pires to miss the World Cup |newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 March 2002 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref>

====2002–03====
After a lengthy layoff, Pires made his comeback in November 2002 as a substitute against [[AJ Auxerre|Auxerre]] in the [[UEFA Champions League]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/2346087.stm |title=Auxerre stun Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2002 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Although Pires initially found it tough, he eventually returned to form, scoring 14 Premiership goals in 20 starts that season, including a hat-trick against [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] on the penultimate day of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arsenal Statistics 2003/03 |url=http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=1&season=2002&area=squad |website=KickOff.co.uk |access-date=30 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101173917/http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=1&season=2002&area=squad|archive-date=1 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other highlights included scoring twice against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], including a last minute winner, and his customary goal at White Hart Lane.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2553087.stm |title=Spurs let Arsenal off hook |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 December 2002 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2693953.stm |title=Pires saves Arsenal blushes |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 February 2003 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Pires was voted the [[Premier League Player of the Month]] for February 2003. Pires capped off his season by scoring the winning goal in the [[2003 FA Cup Final|FA Cup Final]] against Southampton.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Paul |title=Pires aim is true for muted Gunners |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/may/18/match.facup |access-date=26 August 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 May 2003}}</ref>

====2003–04====
He went on to be a crucial part of Arsenal's quest for the Premier League title in the [[2003–04 FA Premier League|2003–04]] season, which they achieved, remaining unbeaten and becoming the first English top flight club to do so in 115 years. Pires and his Arsenal teammate [[Thierry Henry]] were instrumental in that season, scoring a combined 57 goals in all competitions. Pires made a sluggish start to the campaign, with just one goal to his name (against Everton) prior to October,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3140777.stm |title=Campbell off in Arsenal win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2003 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> but a wonder-goal against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] at [[Anfield]] kick-started his season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3123608.stm |title=Owen injured in Arsenal win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 October 2003 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Pires showed football fans his sublime technique, skills and finishing, most notably with his goals against Liverpool, [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], and [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]. He surprised a lot of people with a world class tackle on [[Claude Makélélé]] and, following that, a run into the penalty box which dragged [[William Gallas]] and [[John Terry]] away, thus making space for [[Patrick Vieira]] to have a one-on-one with the [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] goalkeeper and subsequently scoring. Arsenal won that match 2–1, with Vieira's goal the equaliser.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3496743.stm |title=Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 February 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> That day of Premier League action proved decisive, as [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]'s failure to beat Leeds United during the same day resulted in Arsenal getting a huge lead in the title race.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3496745.stm |title=Man Utd 1-1 Leeds |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 February 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Arsenal never lost 1st place in the table for the rest of the season. In the UEFA Champions League quarter-final's 1st leg match against Chelsea, Pires managed to beat John Terry to a header, which resulted in the equaliser for Arsenal, after [[Eiður Guðjohnsen]] had given Chelsea the lead.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/3560681.stm |title=Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 March 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> However, Arsenal were eliminated after they lost 1–2 in the return leg, courtesy of an 87th minute [[Wayne Bridge]] goal. Pires also scored home and away against Tottenham Hotspur. He showed his [[Playmaker|playmaking]] skills in a goal against Tottenham at [[White Hart Lane]], in which Pires was the architect in building up the goal, and capped off the move with a goal to score Arsenal's 2nd goal of the game. Tottenham refused to give up, and managed to claw their way back and claimed a 2–2 draw. Despite that, Arsenal won the title after the match.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3232991.stm |title=Arsenal break Spurs hearts |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 November 2003 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3628573.stm |title=Arsenal clinch title |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 April 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Pires finished that season with an impressive tally of 14 goals and seven assists in the Premier League. He was Arsenal's second top scorer (behind Thierry Henry) and had the joint amount of assists (along with [[Dennis Bergkamp]]) that season.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

[[File:Robert Pires2.JPG|thumb|upright|Pires in 2004]]

====2004–05====
In the [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05]] season, Pires finished third in the Premiership goalscorers' table with 14 goals, behind teammate Thierry Henry and [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]'s [[Andrew Johnson (footballer, born 1981)|Andrew Johnson]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/co91/se3804/statistics-goals/ |title=Premier League 2004/2005 Top Scorer |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Pires also picked up a second FA Cup winners' medal; he scored in the semi-final against [[Blackburn Rovers]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/4427433.stm |title=Arsenal 3-0 Blackburn |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 March 2005 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> and then Arsenal beat [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] on [[penalty shootout (football)|penalties]] in the final. Pires was replaced by [[Edu (footballer, born 1978)|Edu]] in the 2nd half of extra time in that match.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4558271.stm |title=Arsenal 0-0 Man Utd (aet) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2005 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref>

====2005–06====
During the [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]] season, Pires started the season poorly, and players such as [[Freddie Ljungberg]], [[José Antonio Reyes]] and [[Alexander Hleb]] were preferred to him on both wings. As the season progressed, though, Pires' form improved, outscoring his selection rivals overall despite a bizarre penalty incident with [[Thierry Henry]] against [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] when Pires, having scored from the spot earlier in the game, tried passing it to Arsenal's star striker but Henry missed the ball and it went down as a penalty miss.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4344508.stm |title=Arsenal 1-0 Man City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2005 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Highlights in the league that season included scoring at White Hart Lane for the fifth consecutive season (his eighth and final goal against Tottenham) to help Arsenal salvage a 1–1 draw, and also scoring in the last game at Highbury against [[Wigan Athletic]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4366690.stm |title=Tottenham 1-1 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 October 2005 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4957444.stm |title=Arsenal 4-2 Wigan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2006 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Pires was instrumental in Arsenal's Quarter Final Champions League first leg against [[Juventus FC|Juventus]], where Arsenal won 2–0. Pires successfully tackled [[Patrick Vieira]] and fed the ball to [[Thierry Henry]] who passed to Fàbregas to score Arsenal's first goal, the first time that Pires had gotten the better of Vieira.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4841992.stm |title=Arsenal 2-0 Juventus |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 March 2006 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref>

Pires played his last game for Arsenal in the [[2006 UEFA Champions League Final|UEFA Champions league final]] against [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in Paris, which Arsenal ultimately lost 2–1. However, Pires was substituted after only 18 minutes when goalkeeper [[Jens Lehmann]] was sent off and had to be replaced with [[Manuel Almunia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4773353.stm |title=Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Pires later said Wenger's decision to substitute him "killed" him: "the fact that I was substituted and only allowed to play 18 minutes remains painful, there's no point denying that... Wenger knows it and we still talk about it. I'll never agree that he made the right decision."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/apr/07/champions-league-robert-pires-villarreal-arsenal|work=The Guardian|date=7 April 2009|accessdate=29 August 2021|title=Pires plans to prove Arsenal wrong}}</ref>

====Departure====
During the [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]] season, Pires wrangled with Arsenal over a new contract, in the hope of a new two-year deal. In keeping with the club's policy regarding players over 30, Pires was only offered a 12-month extension to his contract, which expired in June 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Matt |last2=Walker |first2=Michael |date=2005-06-13 |title=Deadlock over new Arsenal deal for Pires |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jun/14/newsstory.sport2 |access-date=2024-11-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In May 2006, Pires agreed to an offer from [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/5015814.stm |title=Pires agrees deal with Villarreal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 May 2006}}</ref> after a month of speculation, during which time he and Arsenal defeated Villarreal in the Champions League semi-final.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

One of the main reasons Pires gave for leaving Arsenal was that he felt he was no longer a first choice under manager [[Arsène Wenger]]. Pires was quoted as saying: "I have to say I have had some disappointments this season. For instance, I was on the bench very often". Pires additionally suggested that Wenger's decision to withdraw him in the [[UEFA Champions League]] final showed he had slipped in the eyes of his French boss. Pires said that he felt hurt by how Wenger did not trust him anymore, which was a major factor that convinced him that it was time to move on from Arsenal.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}

On the official Arsenal matchday program for the game against [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] on 11 February 2007, Pires revealed his heartbreak of being substituted so early on during the Champions League final. Pires stated: "I was very disappointed. When I saw my number on the fourth official's board to be substituted, I couldn't believe it. It was my last game after six years at the club, a Champions League Final in front of all my family in Paris where I became World Cup champion and it lasted just 12 minutes. That was very hard to take".{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

On 11 July 2008, Arsenal fans voted Pires as the club's sixth greatest player of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/gunners-greatest-players-6.-robert-pires |title=Gunners' Greatest Players – 6. Robert Pires |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |date=11 July 2008 |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804084055/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/gunners-greatest-players-6.-robert-pires |archive-date=4 August 2011}}</ref>

===Villarreal===
In May 2006, Pires agreed to join Spanish side [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]] on a two-year contract. He joined on a free transfer, subject to passing a medical, bringing to an end his six-year career as an Arsenal player.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pires joins Villarreal on two-year deal |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/pires-joins-villareal-on-two-year-deal-1.1298508 |access-date=26 August 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=25 May 2006}}</ref> After Villarreal were eliminated in the semi-finals of the 2006 Champions League by Arsenal, Villarreal coach [[Manuel Pellegrini]] had wanted to sign Arsenal's Pires or Thierry Henry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12385_3370032,00.html |title=Hope for Henry |publisher=Sky Sports}}</ref>

He scored his first goal for the club in 3–3 pre-season draw with [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] on 5 August 2006. However, on 18 August 2006, Pires damaged the [[cruciate ligament]] in his left knee in a friendly match against [[Cádiz CF|Cádiz]] and required corrective surgery to alleviate the problem, which kept him out of action for seven months in his new club in Spanish top flight. Pires finally recovered from knee injury and made his first league appearance for Villarreal as a second-half substitute when he was named in Villarreal's squad to face [[Real Sociedad]] on 17 March 2007. Pires scored his first league goal on his return from injury in a 3–3 draw away to [[Real Betis]] on 31 March 2007. After three appearances as a substitute, Pires made his first start for Villarreal on 22 April 2007 against [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]. He opened the scoring for his team to defeat league leaders Barcelona 2–0, avenging his premature departure against Barcelona in the [[2006 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League Final]] the previous May.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

On 13 May 2007, in a 4–1 win at [[CA Osasuna|Osasuna]], Pires scored a seventh-minute opener as Villarreal continued their late-season push for a European spot. The run took Villarreal, at 11th spot without him in the side, to the brink of a [[UEFA Cup]] place in barely six weeks. Villarreal ended the season in 5th spot wherein Pires played crucial roles in helping Villarreal with the late charge up winning each of their final eight games and an entry into the [[UEFA Cup]].{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

The 2007–08 season was marked by the ongoing saga between [[Juan Román Riquelme]] and the board of Villarreal. Despite this distraction, Pires' leadership qualities helped Villarreal to win six of their opening eight games. Against Barcelona at [[El Madrigal]], Pires' technique earned the Yellow Submarine two penalties which were duly converted by captain [[Marcos Senna]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}} Villarreal ended up finishing second in La Liga behind [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]], which was their best league finish in history, beating Barcelona into third place.<ref name=Villarreal>{{cite web |url=http://fourfourtwo.com/news/spain/53699/default.aspx |title=Pires set to leave Villarreal |website=FourFourTwo |date=7 May 2010 |access-date=4 October 2010}}</ref>

In 2009, Pires faced former club Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the [[UEFA Champions League]], coming on as a 70th-minute substitute in the first leg and playing the full 90 minutes at the [[Emirates Stadium|Emirates]]. Villarreal were defeated 4–1 on aggregate, but Pires received a warm return from the Arsenal supporters, who sang his name throughout both legs.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

Pires was told in May 2010 that his contract would not be extended and he would have to look for a new club during the summer, as [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]] will be "changing their philosophy".<ref name=Villarreal />

===Aston Villa===
Pires returned to England and trained at [[Shenley Training Centre|London Colney]] – Arsenal's training ground, in order to keep his fitness levels up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-legend-training-at-london-colney |title=Arsenal legend training at London Colney |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |date=24 April 2010 |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006014406/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-legend-training-at-london-colney |archive-date=6 October 2010}}</ref> In October 2010, it was reported that [[Conference National]] club [[Crawley Town]] intended to talk to Pires about joining them for some part of the season, but the player's spokesman said they were "not aware of any interest" from that club.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/crawley_town/9112362.stm |title=Robert Pires 'not aware' of Crawley Town interest |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 October 2010 |access-date=21 October 2010}}</ref>

On 16 November 2010, [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] boss [[Gérard Houllier]] had been in talks with representatives of Pires.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2222143,00.html |publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |date=16 November 2010 |title=McAllister welcomes imminent arrival of experienced midfield ace Pires |access-date=16 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117175659/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2222143,00.html |archive-date=17 November 2010}}</ref> On 18 November, the 37-year-old midfielder completed his move to Aston Villa on a six-month contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/9195439.stm |title=Robert Pires completes move to Aston Villa |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 November 2010 |access-date=18 November 2010}}</ref> He made his Villa début in the [[Premier League]] on 21 November as a second-half substitute, although his new club were beaten 2–0 by [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]. Pires' arrival at the club was praised by many of Villa's senior players, including [[Gabriel Agbonlahor]], [[Stewart Downing]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2227969,00.html |title=Lowry: Lining up alongside class act Pires was surreal|publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |access-date=2 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227091834/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2227969,00.html |archive-date=27 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2228530,00.html |title=Agbonlahor thrilled to line-up with Pires in claret and blue|publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |access-date=2 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229042738/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2228530,00.html |archive-date=29 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6526872,00.html |title=Downing joins Pires praise|publisher=Sky Sports |date=25 November 2010 |access-date=2 February 2011}}</ref> Pires scored his first goal for Aston Villa in the 3–1 FA Cup win against [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] on 29 January 2011. His next start was also against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League on 26 February. His performance in Villa's 4–1 win was described by [[Sky Sports]] as "his most influential" since joining the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3284495,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |title=Villa sink wretched Rovers |date=26 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227100500/http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0%2C19764%2C11065_3284495%2C00.html |archive-date=27 February 2011}}</ref>

In early March, Pires announced that he would like to remain at Aston Villa for the 2011–12 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6786938,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |title=Pires wants Villa stay |date=1 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2304867,00.html |title=Pires targets extended stay after revealing he is loving life at Villa |publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |date=1 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304030415/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2304867,00.html |archive-date=4 March 2011}}</ref> Villa boss Gérard Houllier responded positively to this claim, but admitted that no decision would be made until the Summer of 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6787627,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |title=Houllier plans Pires talks |date=1 March 2011}}</ref> However, he was released by the club on 27 May 2011 after the 2010–11 season finished.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2368005,00.html |title=Farewell to Reo-Coker and Carew as released list announced |date=27 May 2011 |publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |access-date=27 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527212512/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~2368005%2C00.html |archive-date=27 May 2011}}</ref>

In September 2011, Pires made a guest appearance for [[Scottish Premier League]] side [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] in Ian Murray's Testimonial match at [[Easter Road]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ianmurraytestimonial.net/Events.htm |title=Ian Murray Testimonial 2011–12 |access-date=7 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703211032/http://www.ianmurraytestimonial.net/Events.htm |archive-date=3 July 2012}}</ref>

===Goa, India (retirement and coaching)===
[[File:Robert Pirès 2017 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Pires in 2017]]

In September 2013, Pires made a guest appearance for Premier League Aston Villa in Stiliyan Petrov's Testimonial match at Celtic Park.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berry |first=Gavin |date=2013-09-09 |title=Stiliyan Petrov charity match: Former Celtic star overwhelmed by fans' support |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/stiliyan-petrov-charity-match-celtic-2261352 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2014, Pires announced a comeback to promote the launch of the [[Indian Super League]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Pires signs up for the Indian Super League |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/news/pires-signs-indian-super-league |website=FourFourTwo |access-date=26 August 2020 |date=28 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pires signs up for Indian Super League |url=https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/pires-signs-up-for-indian-super-league |website=theworldgame.sbs.com.au |access-date=26 August 2020 |date=29 July 2014}}</ref> On 2 September 2014, he was signed by [[FC Goa|Goa]], becoming their marquee signing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mumbai, Goa to settle for Arsenal legends |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/Mumbai-Goa-to-settle-for-Arsenal-legends/articleshow/41498097.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=2 September 2014 |access-date=2 September 2014}}</ref> The 40-year-old came out of retirement to play for Goa, one of eight teams in the newly created league,{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} and he captained the team.<ref>{{cite web|title=FC Goa beat Vasco Sports Club 1-0|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/clubs/496-fc-goa-profile/press-releases/fc-goa-beat-vasco-sports-club-1-0|date=9 October 2014|access-date=23 February 2021|website=indiansuperleague.com|publisher=[[Indian Super League]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226072033/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/clubs/496-fc-goa-profile/press-releases/fc-goa-beat-vasco-sports-club-1-0|archive-date=26 December 2021}}</ref>

"For me the project and the passion for the game are very important. India needs a start. You need to progress. And for me, that was important. I had offers from the USA and Qatar but I wanted to be part of a new beginning for the sport in India. As for the conditions, we all know about them – but I'm ready and training hard. I like the pressure", he said. Pires is a regular at Arsenal's training ground, using the facilities to stay fit, and said that he spoke to [[Arsène Wenger]] about playing in India: "He told me if you have it in you and if you have the passion to go play in India, then do it. And I think I'm ready." "The reception at the airport was amazing", he said, on his unveiling in India, before adding, "Thank you for the welcome India... and the spicy food."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/why-robert-pires-chose-indias-isl-over-americas-glitz-and-qatars-riches-1726791.html |title=Why Robert Pires chose India's ISL over America's glitz and Qatar's riches |date=24 September 2014 |website=First Post.com}}</ref>

Pires made his league debut for Goa on 15 October 2014, a 2–1 defeat to [[Chennaiyin FC|Chennaiyin]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Raj |first1=Rohan |title=ISL: Record-breaking Chennaiyin FC romp to 2–1 win over FC Goa |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/isl-2014/story/isl-chennaiyin-fc-vs-fc-goa-live-indian-super-league-match-4-nehru-stadium-223304-2014-10-15 |access-date=15 October 2014 |newspaper=India Today |date=15 October 2014}}</ref>

On 25 October 2014, he was given a two-match ban for insulting [[Atlético de Kolkata]]'s manager [[Antonio López Habas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ISL announces ruling on incidents from FC Goa vs Atlético de Kolkata fixture |url=http://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/773-isl-announces-ruling-on-incidents-from-fc-goa-vs-atletico-de-kolkata-fixture |publisher=Indian Super League |access-date=25 October 2014}}</ref> He scored his first league goal on 13 November 2014 in a 4–1 away win over [[Delhi Dynamos FC|Delhi Dynamos]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Goa romp into 4–1 lead against Delhi Dynamos |url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/indian-super-league-live-goa-romp-into-4-0-lead-against-delhi-dynamos-1801213.html |website=Firstpost |agency=Press Trust of India |date=13 November 2014 |access-date=13 November 2014}}</ref>

Pires was released by Goa on 13 March 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/FC-Goa-drop-all-four-strikers/articleshow/46558555.cms |title=FC Goa drop all four strikers |website=The Times of India |date=14 March 2015|access-date=13 July 2015 |first=Marcus |last=Mergulhao}}</ref> On 25 February 2016, Pires announced his retirement from professional football.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/feb/25/former-arsenal-france-midfielder-robert-pires-retires-football |title=Former Arsenal and France midfielder Robert Pires retires from football |date=25 February 2016 |access-date=25 February 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

Pires expressed interest in and was approached by Arsène Wenger with regard to coaching. Pires soon began working at Arsenal as an individual coach in 2016, though would depart in 2017.<ref name=CoachPires /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.squawka.com/news/robert-pires-arsene-wenger-said-i-could-coach-at-arsenal/512215 |title=Robert Pires Arsène Wenger said that i could coach at Arsenal |website=Squawka.com}}</ref>

In November 2024, it was announced that Pires set to manage one of the 12 teams in the upcoming UK edition of [[Baller League]], a [[six-a-side football]] league.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Baller League: KSI, Gary Lineker, Luis Figo & John Terry among names involved in new football league |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c3rx5ll9y3zo |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Buckingham |first1=Philip |last2=Stafford-Bloor |first2=Seb |title=What is Baller League, why are KSI and IShowSpeed involved and is it a game-changer? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5949002/2024/11/26/baller-league-explained-ksi-ishowspeed/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |work=The New York Times |date=26 November 2024 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Pires was the coach of N5 FC alongside former Arsenal teammates [[Freddie Ljungberg]] and [[Jens Lehmann]] for the league's first season.<ref name=BallerLeaguePires>{{cite web|title=Baller League teams and managers: Angry Ginge, PK Humble, Arsenal Invincibles, John Terry, Alisha Lehmann and more|date=14 April 2025|publisher=Sky Sports|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13346437/baller-league-teams-and-managers-angry-ginge-pk-humble-arsenal-invincibles-john-terry-alisha-lehmann-and-more|access-date=8 October 2025}}</ref>

==International career==
Pires was part of France's [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]] and [[2000 European Football Championship|Euro 2000]] winning squads, but had to miss the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] due to an injury he sustained playing for Arsenal. He also played in the [[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Olympic Games]] and [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]]. However, a dispute in late 2004 with French national coach [[Raymond Domenech]] put a halt to Pires' international career. He won 79 [[cap (sport)|caps]] for his country and scored 14 goals. He won the Golden Ball (for most outstanding football) and Golden Shoe (for most goals scored) awards at the 2001 [[Confederations Cup]] in [[South Korea|Korea]]/[[Japan]]. Pires provided a golden goal assist during his international career, providing David Trézéguet with the match-winning ball in the Euro 2000 final.

==Personal life==
[[File:Football against poverty 2014 - Robert Pires.jpg|thumb|upright|Pires playing in a charity match in March 2014]]

In 1992, during his initial year at [[FC Metz|Metz]], Pires met his first wife, Nathalie.<ref name="The Times"/> The two were married for six years and divorced in 2003. Pires told ''The [[Daily Mirror]]'' that his divorce had ruined him and affected him professionally, interfering with his concentration and sleep. He also blamed it for his odd behavior, such as publicly fighting with French coach [[Raymond Domenech]] in early 2004.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}

Shortly after the split from Nathalie, Pires met French model Jessica Lemarie through mutual friends. On 10 August 2005, she gave birth to the couple's first child, Naia. Since then, Lemarie and Pires have since married and had a son named Theo, born 11 July 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://freekickmastersusa.com/Robert_Pires.asp |title=Robert Pires; Free Kick Master |website=Freekickmastersusa.com |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808071011/http://www.freekickmastersusa.com/Robert_Pires.asp |archive-date=8 August 2010}}</ref>

On 17 January 2012, Pires became an ambassador for Grassroot Soccer, an international non-profit that uses the power of football to educate, inspire, and mobilize communities to stop the spread of HIV.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McHugh |first1=Molly |url=http://www.grassrootsoccer.org/2012/01/17/robert-pires-international-soccer-star-joins-grassroot-soccer-as-ambassador/ |title=International soccer star joins grassroot soccer as ambassador |website=Grassroot Soccer.org |date=17 January 2012 }}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe28822/robert-pires/club-matches/|title=Robert Pires|website=WorldFootball.net}}</ref>
!rowspan="2"|Club!
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|Cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[FC Metz|Metz]]
|[[1992–93 French Division 1|1992–93]]
|[[Ligue 1|Division 1]]
|2||0||1||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|[[1993–94 French Division 1|1993–94]]
|Division 1
|24||1||5||0||0||0||28||1
|-
|[[1994–95 French Division 1|1994–95]]
|Division 1
|34||8||2||1||0||0||36||9
|-
|[[1995–96 French Division 1|1995–96]]
|Division 1
|38||11||7||2||0||0||45||13
|-
|[[1996–97 French Division 1|1996–97]]
|Division 1
|32||11||3||1||6||0||41||12
|-
|[[1997–98 French Division 1|1997–98]]
|Division 1
|31||11||6||2||3||0||41||13
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!161!!42!!23!!6!!9!!0!!195!!47
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]]
|[[1998–99 Olympique de Marseille season|1998–99]]
|Division 1
|34||6||2||0||11||3||49||9
|-
|[[1999–2000 Olympique de Marseille season|1999–2000]]
|Division 1
|32||2||3||1||11||2||46||5
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!66!!8!!5!!1!!22!!5!!95!!14
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|[[2000–01 Arsenal F.C. season|2000–01]]
|[[Premier League]]
|33||4||6||3||12||1||51||8
|-
|[[2001–02 Arsenal F.C. season|2001–02]]
|Premier League
|28||9||5||1||12||3||47||13
|-
|[[2002–03 Arsenal F.C. season|2002–03]]
|Premier League
|26||14||7||2||9||0||42||16
|-
|[[2003–04 Arsenal F.C. season|2003–04]]
|Premier League
|36||14||5||1||10||4||51||19
|-
|[[2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season|2004–05]]
|Premier League
|33||14||6||2||8||1||48||17
|-
|[[2005–06 Arsenal F.C. season|2005–06]]
|Premier League
|33||7||3||2||12||2||48||11
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!189!!62!!33!!12!!63!!11!!284!!84
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]]
|[[2006–07 Villarreal CF season|2006–07]]
|[[La Liga]]
|11||3||0||0||2||0||13||3
|-
|[[2007–08 Villarreal CF season|2007–08]]
|La Liga
|34||3||5||1||2||0||41||4
|-
|[[2008–09 Villarreal CF season|2008–09]]
|La Liga
|32||3||0||0||8||1||40||4
|-
|[[2009–10 Villarreal CF season|2009–10]]
|La Liga
|28||4||2||1||7||2||37||7
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!105!!13!!7!!2!!19!!3!!131!!18
|-
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
|[[2010–11 Aston Villa F.C. season|2010–11]]
|Premier League
|9||0||3||1||0||0||12||1
|-
|[[FC Goa|Goa]]
|[[2014 FC Goa season|2014]]
|[[Indian Super League]]
|8||1||0||0||0||0||8||1
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!538!!126!!69!!20!!113!!19!!720!!165
|}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{NFT|2447|name=Robert Pirès|access-date=4 October 2010}}</ref>
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="8"|[[France national football team|France]]
|1997||11||1
|-
|1998||14||1
|-
|1999||9||1
|-
|2000||10||2
|-
|2001||13||4
|-
|2002||1||0
|-
|2003||12||4
|-
|2004||13||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!79!!14
|}

:''Scores and results list France's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Pires goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Robert Pires
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
|align="center"|1
|9 October 1996
|[[Parc des Princes]], [[Paris]], France
|{{fb|TUR}}
|align="center"|4–0
|align="center"|4–0
|[[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
|align="center"|2
|26 February 1997
|Parc des Princes, Paris, France
|{{fb|NED}}
|align="center"|1–1
|align="center"|2–1
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|3
|10 October 1998
|[[Luzhniki Stadium]], [[Moscow]], Russia
|{{fb|RUS}}
|align="center"|2–0
|align="center"|3–2
|[[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying]]
|-
|align="center"|4
|13 November 1999
|[[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]], France
|{{fb|CRO}}
|align="center"|1–0
|align="center"|3–0
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|5
|28 May 2000
|[[Maksimir Stadium]], [[Zagreb]], Croatia
|{{fb|CRO}}
|align="center"|1–0
|align="center"|2–0
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|6
|16 August 2000
|[[Stade Vélodrome]], [[Marseille]], France
|[[FIFA]] XI
|align="center"|4–0
|align="center"|5–1
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|7
|3 June 2001
|[[Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium]], [[Ulsan]], South Korea
|{{fb|MEX}}
|align="center"|3–0
|align="center"|4–0
|[[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|-
|align="center"|8
|7 June 2001
|[[Suwon World Cup Stadium]], [[Suwon]], South Korea
|{{fb|BRA}}
|align="center"|1–0
|align="center"|2–1
|2001 FIFA Confederations Cup
|-
|align="center"|9
|15 August 2001
|[[Stade de la Beaujoire]], [[Nantes]], France
|{{fb|DEN}}
|align="center"|1–0
|align="center"|1–0
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|10
|6 October 2001
|Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
|{{fb|ALG}}
|align="center"|4–1
|align="center"|4–1
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|11
|30 April 2003
|Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
|{{fb|EGY}}
|align="center"|3–0
|align="center"|5–0
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|12
|20 June 2003
|[[Stade Geoffroy-Guichard]], [[Saint-Étienne]], France
|{{fb|JAP}}
|align="center"|1–0
|align="center"|2–1
|[[2003 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|-
|align="center"|13
|22 June 2003
|Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
|{{fb|NZL}}
|align="center"|5–0
|align="center"|5–0
|2003 FIFA Confederations Cup
|-
|align="center"|14
|26 June 2003
|Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
|{{fb|TUR}}
|align="center"|2–0
|align="center"|3–2
|2003 FIFA Confederations Cup
|}

==Honours==
'''Metz'''
*[[Coupe de la Ligue]]: [[1996 Coupe de la Ligue Final|1995–96]]<ref name=Soccerway>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/robert-pires/3104/ |title=R. Pirès: Soccerway |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref>

'''Arsenal'''
*[[Premier League]]: [[2001–02 FA Premier League|2001–02]], [[2003–04 FA Premier League|2003–04]]<ref name=PL>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/1835/Robert-Pir%C3%A8s/overview |title=Robert Pirès: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=8 June 2023}}</ref>
*[[FA Cup]]: [[2002–03 FA Cup|2002–03]], [[2004–05 FA Cup|2004–05]]<ref name="Robert Pires Arsenal Honours">{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/541/robert-pires |title=Robert Pires |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |access-date=29 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114135433/http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/541/robert-pires |archive-date=14 January 2015}}</ref>
*[[UEFA Champions League]] runner-up: [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2005/matches/round=2205/match=1108503/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103130207/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2005/matches/round=2205/match=1108503/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2012 |title=Barça comeback denies Arsenal |publisher=UEFA |date=18 May 2006 |access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref>

'''France'''
*[[FIFA World Cup]]: [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]]<ref name=Soccerway/>
*[[UEFA European Championship]]: [[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]]<ref name=Soccerway/>
*[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]: [[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001]], [[2003 FIFA Confederations Cup|2003]]<ref name=Soccerway/>

'''Individual'''
*[[Ligue 1|Division 1]] [[Trophées UNFP du football|Young Player of the Year]]: 1995–96<ref name="UNFP5">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportpalmares.eu/-Trophees-UNFP-Oscars-du-foot-.html |title=Palmarès Trophées UNFP – Oscars du foot |language=fr |website=Sport Palmares.eu}}</ref>
*[[FWA Footballer of the Year]]: [[2001–02 in English football|2001–02]]<ref name=FWAAward>{{cite web |url=http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/robert-pires-of-arsenal-with-the-football-writers-player-of-news-photo/613916#robert-pires-of-arsenal-with-the-football-writers-player-of-the-year-picture-id613916 |title=Robert Pires of Arsenal with the Football Writers Player of the Year Award |website=Getty Images.com|date=29 May 2002 }}</ref>
*[[PFA Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#FA Premier League 3|2001–02 Premier League]],<ref name="Hugman2002–03 480">{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2002/2003 |year=2002 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=1-85291-648-6 |page=480}}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#FA Premier League 4|2002–03 Premier League]],<ref name="Hugman2003–04 496">{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004 |year=2003 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=1-85291-651-6 |page=496}}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#FA Premier League 5|2003–04 Premier League]]<ref name="Hugman2004–05 480">{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2004/2005 |year=2004 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=1-85291-660-5 |page=480}}</ref>
*[[Premier League Player of the Month]]: [[2002–03 FA Premier League#Monthly awards|February 2003]]<ref name=PL/>
*[[Arsenal Player of the Season]]: [[2001–02 Arsenal F.C. season|2001−02]]<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Maidment |first=Jem |title=The Official Arsenal Encyclopedia |publisher=[[Hamlyn (publisher)|Hamlyn]] |year=2006 |isbn=9780600615491 |location=London |pages=148 |language=en}}</ref>
*FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball: [[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001]]<ref name="FIFA Confed Cup">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/koreajapan2001/awards/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222155442/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/koreajapan2001/awards/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 December 2015 |title=FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001 {{!}} Awards|publisher=FIFA|access-date=20 October 2017}}</ref>
*FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Shoe: [[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001]]<ref name="FIFA Confed Cup" />
*[[FIFA 100]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533891.stm |title=Pele's list of the greatest |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2004 |access-date=29 September 2014}}</ref>
*[[Trophées UNFP du football#Équipe type spéciale 20 ans des trophées UNFP|Équipe type spéciale 20 ans des trophées UNFP]]: 2011<ref name="UNFP5" />

'''Orders'''
*[[Knight of the Legion of Honour]]: 1998<ref>{{cite journal |date=25 July 1998 |title=Décret du 24 juillet 1998 portant nomination à titre exceptionnel |trans-title=Decree of 24 July 1998 appointing on an exceptional basis |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000374701 |journal=Official Journal of the French Republic |volume=1998 |issue=170 |id=PREX9801916D |access-date=30 November 2020 |language=fr}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150114135433/http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/541/robert-pires Profile] at the Arsenal F.C. website
*{{FFF player}}
*{{UEFA player}}
*{{FIFA player}}

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{{2001–02 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2002–03 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2003–04 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year}}
{{FWA Footballer of the Year}}
{{FIFA Confederations Cup awards}}
{{FIFA 100}}
{{Arsenal F.C. Player of the Season}}
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| bg = #002395
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| list1 = 
{{France men's football squad 1996 Summer Olympics}}
{{France squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{France squad UEFA Euro 2000}}
{{France squad 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{France squad 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{France squad UEFA Euro 2004}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pires, Robert}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
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[[Category:Knights of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Association football people awarded knighthoods]]
[[Category:20th-century French sportsmen]]