Michel Jacques
Michel Jacques | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 January 1924 Sochaux, France |
| Died | 1 March 1997 (aged 73) Montbéliard, France |
| Occupation | Footballer |
| Years active | 1942–1958 |
| Known for | Football forward mainly associated with Sochaux-Montbéliard; represented France national team once in 1947 |
Michel Albert Georges Jacques (9 January 1924 – 1 March 1997) was a French football forward, mainly associated with Sochaux-Montbéliard during the 1940s. He represented the French national team once, earning a single cap in 1944.
Club career
Jacques, born in Sochaux, launched his football journey with his local team Sochaux-Montbéliard in 1942. He played a key role in the Nancy-Lorraine federal squad that secured the 1944 Coupe de France title, netting a goal in their commanding 4–0 triumph over Reims-Champagne. After spending the 1944–45 season at Rouen, he returned to Sochaux-Montbéliard where he competed for five seasons, including four campaigns in Ligue 1 and one in Ligue 2.
In 1950, Jacques transferred to Strasbourg, where he helped the club clinch the 1951 Coupe de France by defeating Valenciennes. Following this achievement, L'Équipe commended him as a "diligent and relentless left-winger," highlighting his persistent movement on the field despite limited use of his right foot.
He later spent five years with Racing Besançon from 1952 to 1957 before concluding his playing days at Pays d'Aix in 1958 at age 34. Throughout his Ligue 1 career, Jacques amassed a total of 57 goals across 172 appearances.
International career
Jacques earned his sole international appearance for France on 23 March 1947, at age 23, participating in a friendly match against Portugal held in Colombes. He contributed to France’s clean-sheet victory with a 1–0 scoreline. Reflecting on the match, he confessed to feeling extremely nervous. Subsequently, France’s coach Gaston Barreau criticized him for exhibiting insufficient maturity during the game.
Death
Michel Jacques died on 1 March 1997 in Montbéliard at the age of 73.
Honours
- Reims-Champagne
- RC Strasbourg
- Winner (1): 1951