Philippe Léonard
Encyclopedia
Philippe Léonard is a retired Belgian
footballer, who played as a left defender.
After playing most notably for Standard Liège
and AS Monaco
, he rarely appeared for his following four teams (including Standard again), in a 16-year professional career. He represented Belgium at UEFA Euro 2000.
. There, alongside Régis Genaux
and Michaël Goossens
, he was part of The Three Musketeers
generation (with Roberto Bisconti
playing a smaller role), hailed for their sporting talent but with a troublesome character.
He won the Belgian Cup
in 1993, only 19, having scored in the final (Standard 2 – R. Charleroi SC
0), and also helped the side to two runner-up league places (1992–93 and 1994–95), each time bowing out to R.S.C. Anderlecht
.
Subsequently, Léonard moved to France
where he played with AS Monaco FC
, also having an unassuming stint with OGC Nice
. Whist at Monaco, he scored in the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League
against Juventus FC
, in a 4–6 aggregate loss, being the only Belgian player to score at this stage of the competition.
After two Ligue 1
titles with Monaco, to which he contributed with 38 games and two goals combined, Léonard returned to Standard, where he finished again second, in 2005–06, again to Anderlecht. Subsequently, he had short spells abroad, with Feyenoord Rotterdam and FC Rapid Bucureşti.
Léonard ended his career in 2009, at the age of 35, after not being able to find a new club. He subsequently took up writing columns in Belgian newspapers.
). His debut coming in 1994, he was a regular fixture in the next two years, as right back Genaux, but Belgium failed to qualify for Euro 1996.
They both lost their place with the arrival of coach Georges Leekens, and Léonard was dropped in the last minute for the 1998 FIFA World Cup
. Because of a conflict with then coach Robert Waseige
, he spent five years without being called after Euro 2000, so he also missed the 2002 World Cup
in Japan
and South Korea
.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
footballer, who played as a left defender.
After playing most notably for Standard Liège
Standard Liège
Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
and AS Monaco
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
, he rarely appeared for his following four teams (including Standard again), in a 16-year professional career. He represented Belgium at UEFA Euro 2000.
Club career
Léonard started his professional career at Standard de LiègeStandard Liège
Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
. There, alongside Régis Genaux
Régis Genaux
Régis Hervé Genaux was a Belgian footballer who played as a right defender, and later a coach.During his career, he represented three teams in three countries, namely Standard Liège and Udinese Calcio; he died at only 35 in November 2008.-Club career:After having started playing football with R...
and Michaël Goossens
Michaël Goossens
Michaël Goossens is a retired Belgian footballer who played as a striker.-Club career:Goossens started playing professionally with R.F.C. Seraing at the age of 16, then moved to Standard Liège...
, he was part of The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers (disambiguation)
The Three Musketeers is a 19th century novel by Alexandre Dumas, père.The Three Musketeers may also refer to:-Film, stage, and television:* The Three Musketeers in film, the many film adaptations of the novel...
generation (with Roberto Bisconti
Roberto Bisconti
Roberto Bisconti is a Belgian footballer currently playing for R.F.C. Seraing, as a midfielder.-Club career:...
playing a smaller role), hailed for their sporting talent but with a troublesome character.
He won the Belgian Cup
Belgian Cup
The Belgian Cup is the main knockout football competition in Belgium, run by the Belgian Football Association. The first cup was held in 1911-12. The most successful cup club is Club Brugge KV with 10 titles followed by RSC Anderlecht and R Standard de Liège...
in 1993, only 19, having scored in the final (Standard 2 – R. Charleroi SC
R. Charleroi S.C.
Sporting du Pays de Charleroi is a Belgian football club based in the city of Charleroi, in the province of Hainaut. Charleroi plays in the Belgian Pro League and their current spell at the highest level in Belgian football has started in the 1985–86 season...
0), and also helped the side to two runner-up league places (1992–93 and 1994–95), each time bowing out to R.S.C. Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
.
Subsequently, Léonard moved to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
where he played with AS Monaco FC
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
, also having an unassuming stint with OGC Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
. Whist at Monaco, he scored in the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
against Juventus FC
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
, in a 4–6 aggregate loss, being the only Belgian player to score at this stage of the competition.
After two Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
titles with Monaco, to which he contributed with 38 games and two goals combined, Léonard returned to Standard, where he finished again second, in 2005–06, again to Anderlecht. Subsequently, he had short spells abroad, with Feyenoord Rotterdam and FC Rapid Bucureşti.
Léonard ended his career in 2009, at the age of 35, after not being able to find a new club. He subsequently took up writing columns in Belgian newspapers.
International career
Léonard played 26 times with Belgium (37 selections), and was in the team for the UEFA Euro 2000 (where he appeared in the 2–1 win for the hosts against SwedenSweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
). His debut coming in 1994, he was a regular fixture in the next two years, as right back Genaux, but Belgium failed to qualify for Euro 1996.
They both lost their place with the arrival of coach Georges Leekens, and Léonard was dropped in the last minute for the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
. Because of a conflict with then coach Robert Waseige
Robert Waseige
Robert Waseige is a Belgian football manager and a former player. He became the coach of Belgium before the Euro 2000 and lead Belgium to the second round at the 2002 World Cup....
, he spent five years without being called after Euro 2000, so he also missed the 2002 World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
.
Honours
- Standard:
- Belgian CupBelgian CupThe Belgian Cup is the main knockout football competition in Belgium, run by the Belgian Football Association. The first cup was held in 1911-12. The most successful cup club is Club Brugge KV with 10 titles followed by RSC Anderlecht and R Standard de Liège...
: 1992–93
- Belgian Cup
- Monaco:
- French LeagueLigue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
: 1996–97, 1999–2000 - French League CupCoupe de la LigueThe Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
: 2002–03; Runner-up 2000–01 - French Super CupTrophée des championsThe Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries...
: 1997, 2000
- French League