Life for a footballer may not begin at 40, but Troyes playmaker Benjamin Nivet is in the process of proving that it certainly does not have to end for those entering their fifth decade.
His side are fighting to win promotion to France’s top flight via a playoff with Lorient, and it is the wizened figure who is leading the charge.
His game is based around technical grace and not physical prowess, which is perhaps little surprise given that he is still of the generation that grew up watching Michel Platini dominate games in France’s fame ‘carre magique’. He may be a throwback, but he is one still proving incredibly successful.
Troyes only narrowly missed out on automatic promotion in what was a thrilling conclusion to the Ligue 1 campaign. Six teams were still in the running to go up with only one match remaining, and until Amiens scored an incredible 96th minute winner in Reims, Troyes occupied the second promotion spot.
Jean-Louis Garcia’s men had themselves staged a remarkable comeback, fighting back from a 2-0 deficit away to Sochaux. Stephane Darbion may have been the star of their unlikely recovery, all of which was achieved in the space of little over 30 minutes, but 40-year-old Nivet ensured it picked up momentum by scoring the equalising goal.
Of course he was at the vanguard for his side; during their remarkable recent run of form in the critical weeks of the season he has been virtually omnipresent for his side.
Troyes won all of their final four fixtures in Ligue 2 to secure third place and the playoff spot – in three of these he found the net, twice getting the winner.
Nivet, who is a former team-mate of Patrick Vieira at youth level and turned professional as an 18-year-old even before the Czech Republic beat France in a Euro 96 semi-final on penalties, was their powerhouse throughout this run. He found the net in matches against Brest and Auxerre, the first with the kind of shot from a tight angle that was deserving of far wider acclaim and brought the commentator to brand him “an artist”.
“Benjamin Nivet’s goal was a masterpiece and he’s undoubtedly the best player in the league,” head coach Jean-Louis Garcia gushed after the game.
Nivet was nominated for the league’s prize as outstanding player but was overlooked for former Tottenham youth John Bostock of Lens - a decision that left Troyes dumbfounded.
Even in the one match he failed to score, in the derby against Reims, a powerful downward header forced the opposing goalkeeper to parry the ball out to the feet of Darbion, who was left with an easy finish.
It was little surprise, then, when he grabbed the spotlight once more in the playoff first leg against Lorient on Thursday. Even a full seven years older than anyone else on the field, it was Nivet who dictated the play, and, of course, got a winner in time added on to propel Troyes to a 2-1 victory and the brink of Ligue 1.
“When I received the ball, my decision was already taken,” he told BeIn Sport after the game. “I knew I was going to move the ball and shoot.”
His strike was a crisp right-footed effort into the corner, executed with the kind of cool head at a critical moment that only years can teach.
It is the kind of moment that the veteran has been supplying for Troyes fans since he returned to the club in 2012 a sprightly 35-year-old. Since then, he has missed only 12 league fixtures and has scored 39 league goals – now 40 if strikes in the reinstated playoffs are considered.
It was jocularly suggested there might even be a statue built for him in the town following his midweek heroics.
“A statue? That’s way too much for a normal person like me,” he smiled in the typically humble manner that has allowed him to maintain his career into his fifth decade.
But life is not easy for a professional footballer who has known the job for over half his entire life.
“The end of games are often tough for me, and I have to find my legs to make the difference. It takes a lot of daily sacrifice,” he admitted on Thursday.
Speaking to SoFootballClub earlier this season, he explained: “My true post has always been that of a No.10, like Platini, my idol. I would like to play this position much more often. But it’s now rare to see teams playing with a true No.10, so I’ve had to change my game.
“It’s been five years since I came back to Troyes. I really feel I belong to this club. I’m fortunate to have a president who continues to put his confidence in me, despite my age.
“My whole family feels good here, we love the city and I’m proud to be able to finish my career here.
When his career will finish exactly, remains up for debate. In celebrating his winner on Thursday, he was injured by the teeth of team-mate Jimmy Giraudon, proving further that there is still plenty youthful exuberance left in him yet.
Benjamin NIvet, toujours au haut niveau, prétend au Trophée de joueur de @DominosLigue2 !
#TropheesUNFP
