Patrick Videira returns to PSG more than 30 years after filming « Didier »

Patrick Videira will return to the Parc des Princes on Saturday, this time as Le Mans coach facing PSG in Ligue 1. More than 30 years after taking part in the filming of « Didier », Alain Chabat’s movie, the former academy player is coming back in a very different role. At a press conference on Friday, ahead of the away fixture scheduled for 20:45, he was asked about his past at PSG. Mention of his « film career » even made him burst out laughing.

« The last time I was at the Parc des Princes was for the film Didier, so I was in a different role, » he said with a smile. In 1995, Videira was among the PSG academy players brought in for filming and appeared alongside Alain Chabat. He played José Gioto, a teammate of the character Didier in a match between Didier’s fictional side and Paris. The future coach also had a brief line in the dressing room, criticising Didier.

« I was 18, it was youth, so there were good times too. Of course, it will be different, » he recalled. He also remembered several players from the academy: « Djamel Belmadi, Grégory Paisley, Didier Domi. We were filming with Monsieur Alain Chabat. »

The visit also carries a personal significance. Born in Paris and developed at PSG, Videira spent 11 years at the club, joining at 7 and leaving at 18. « PSG is always special when you’ve spent 11 years at a club, » he said. He went through every age group up to N2 and believes the club helped shape the person he is today.

Videira has often been asked whether he was disappointed not to play for the first team. He did not turn professional at PSG, but says the experience gave him the opportunity to move elsewhere and grow; he later began his professional career in Portugal. He says he has excellent memories of his time in the academy and is looking forward to seeing members of Luis Enrique’s staff whom he knew from those years.