Christian Karembeu

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"Karembeu" redirects here. For this person's wife, see Adriana Karembeu.

Christian Karembeu (born December 3, 1970 in Lifou, New Caledonia) is a former French international football (soccer) player. He announced his retirement on October 13, 2005, although he added that he would "be having a kickabout from time to time".

He last played midfield for Bastia in the French Ligue 1. They obtained him on loan from Swiss side Servette, until they lost their relegation battle. During his career Karembeu played for Nantes (1990-95), Sampdoria (1995-97), Real Madrid (1997-2000), Middlesbrough (2000-01), Olympiakos (2001-04), Servette Genève (2004-05), Bastia (2005). With Real Madrid, he won the Champions League in 1998 and 2000.

Born in the French territory of New Caledonia, he was a vital player in the French team that won the 1998 World Cup. In Euro 2000, he was on the squad as well but played only one game. He compiled 53 caps in his career, earning his first one on November 14, 1992 against Finland in a 2-1 victory.

Karembeu gained notoriety for not singing the French national anthem La Marseillaise on the field, since two of his uncles had been exhibited in a human zoo during the Paris Colonial Exposition of 1931. This stance earned him some criticism and a fair amount of respect.

In May 2006 Karembeu was reported by Sky News to have been scouting for English Premiership side Portsmouth Football Club.

Karembeu is married to Slovak model Adriana Sklenaříková, whom he met on a plane.^{[citation needed]}

On 9 December 2005, Karembeu represented the OFC at the draw for the 2006 World Cup which took place in Leipzig, Germany.

v • d • e France squad - UEFA Euro 1996 1 Lama • 2 Angloma • 3 Di Meco • 4 Lebouef • 5 Blanc • 6 Guérin • 7 Deschamps • 8 Desailly • 9 Djorkaeff • 10 Zidane • 11 Loko • 12 Lizarazu • 13 Dugarry • 14 Lamouchi • 15 Thuram • 16 Barthez • 17 Madar • 18 Pedros • 19 Karembeu • 20 Roche • 21 Martins • 22 Martini • Coach: Jacquet

v • d • e France squad - 1998 FIFA World Cup Winners (1st Title) 1 Lama • 2 Candela • 3 Lizarazu • 4 Vieira • 5 Blanc • 6 Djorkaeff • 7 Deschamps • 8 Desailly • 9 Guivarc'h • 10 Zidane • 11 Pirès • 12 Henry • 13 Diomède • 14 Boghossian • 15 Thuram • 16 Barthez • 17 Petit • 18 Leboeuf • 19 Karembeu • 20 Trezeguet • 21 Dugarry • 22 Charbonnier • Coach: Jacquet

v • d • e France squad - UEFA Euro 2000 Winners (2nd title) 1 Lama • 2 Candela • 3 Lizarazu • 4 Vieira • 5 Blanc • 6 Djorkaeff • 7 Deschamps • 8 Desailly • 9 Anelka • 10 Zidane • 11 Pirès • 12 Henry • 13 Wiltord • 14 Micoud • 15 Thuram • 16 Barthez • 17 Petit • 18 Leboeuf • 19 Karembeu • 20 Trezeguet • 21 Dugarry • 22 Ramé • Coach: Lemerre

v • d • e France squad - 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup 1 Ramé • 2 Sagnol • 3 Lizarazu • 4 Vieira • 5 Gillet • 6 Djorkaeff • 7 Pirès • 8 Desailly • 9 Anelka • 10 Carrière • 11 Wiltord • 12 Coupet • 13 Silvestre • 14 Née • 15 Bréchet • 16 Dacourt • 17 Marlet • 18 Leboeuf • 19 Karembeu • 20 Camara • 21 Dugarry • 22 Robert • 23 Landreau • Coach: Lemerre