Throwback: Michel Haddi x Christian Karembeu for L’Uomo Vogue, 2002

France play their first match of the 2026 World Cup today. We’re marking the moment by reaching into the archive.

In 2002, Michel Haddi photographed Christian Karembeu for L’Uomo Vogue in Athens — one of a series of portraits Michel made of the players from France’s golden generation, including Mikaël Silvestre, Marcel Desailly, Alain Boghossian and Vincent Candela, World Cup winners in 1998. European Champions in 2000. A team that had, in the space of two years, redefined what French football could be.

Karembeu was perhaps the most quietly extraordinary of them. Born in Lifou, New Caledonia — a Kanak boy from the South Pacific who rose through Nantes, Sampdoria, and Real Madrid, winning two Champions League titles along the way. He started in the 1998 final in Amsterdam. He lifted the Coupe du Monde on home soil. And yet what Michel found in front of his lens was a man who carried none of it loudly.

By 2002, Karembeu had settled at Olympiacos — which is why Athens. The city suited him. Ancient light, an unhurried quality. L’Uomo Vogue wanted the man behind the medals, and Michel gave them exactly that.

These images are a reminder that the greatest sports photography has never really been about sport. It’s about character. And Karembeu had it in abundance.

Allez les Bleus.

Follow Christian on Instagram here @christiankarembeu98

Follow Michel on Instagram here @michelhaddistudio

Limited edition prints and poster prints from Michel Haddi’s French footballer series are available now. Email info@michelhaddistudio.com for details

A piece of football history — and fashion history — for your walls.