Étienne Mattler

Étienne Mattler was born on December 24, 1905 in Belfort, France. A sportsman during his childhood, he quickly turned to the world of cycling. In love with this sport, it was a family tragedy that would suddenly stop this passion. His brother died in a bicycle accident, after that, Étienne no longer wanted to ride a bike despite his immense talent, knowing that he was asked to participate in the Tour de France.

He then left for Paris when he was a teenager for 2 months. During this short period of time, he discovered the world of football through a club he liked, Red Star FC. Returning to his native region, he joined US Belfort where at 16, he was already a regular on his team. He stayed in the Belfort club until 1927, and at almost 22 years old, he left his club for AS Strasbourg where he played for 2 seasons before being spotted by FC Sochaux.

Étienne Mattler is a force of nature. An athletic player, he is a tough defender and very effective in his penalty area. He quickly revealed himself as one of the best French players of his time, and in his position, he has no equal. He is a man who has great values ​​such as love for his country, family life and the benefits of life in the countryside. The player is unanimous wherever he plays, and the man is unanimous for everyone. Whether it is the journalists, his employers or his teammates and managers, everyone is charmed by this perfect man.

Having had the chance to play a match with the France B team during his time in Strasbourg, he finally joined the prestigious French national team in 1930. A team that was progressing rapidly, thanks in particular to the professionalism that was becoming more widespread in the country at that time.

An incredible leader, it was quite logical that he became the team captain, a team that would very quickly become one of the best in the country, if not better. His consecration came in 1935 when he won the French championship, a championship that he would win again in 1938. In 1937, he also won the Coupe de France.

Recruited in the factories of the Sochaux brand, Peugeot, he followed a very precise rhythm of life, arriving at work at 7 o'clock, and every evening, he went to bed at 8 o'clock in the evening. Where professionalism in the world of sport has made some people self-absorbed, Mattler remains the man he was, preferring the fresh air of the countryside.

He sticks to a calm and organized family life, this image gives him enormous recognition in the surrounding area and in France in general. Because yes, he becomes a national star very quickly, figurehead of the Peugeot team. The one who was called "The Sweeper" had a style all his own, a powerful and impactful game, not hesitating to tackle his opponents strongly, an aggressive player in his game but a gentleman.

A highlight of his career, he was a player who was not afraid of anything, even injured, he stayed on the field, gritting his teeth and continuing to display a rough style of play. Another string to his bow, he had great power, capable of clearing the ball very far, a style of play quite far from his idol, the legend Lucien Gamblin.

His international career was simply amazing. In a French national team that was not a great footballing power at the time. He would still participate in 3 World Cups, in 1930, 1934 and 1938. Enough to write his name in the history of his country's selection. He was also captain of the team during the last two.

In January 1940, despite the start of the Second World War, he became the most capped player in the history of the French team. In total, he would bring his number of selections to 46, an incredible figure for the time. His country was everything to him, and he would prove it on many occasions, notably in 1938 when after a legendary Italy-France loss 1-0, he sang "La Marseillaise" in front of Italian supporters in an inn. This gesture will remain legendary.

Flashback to 1939, he was mobilized in the country's army, at the age of 33. He was proud to represent his country. Then, when France was defeated by the German armed forces, he joined the Resistance. Mattler had criticized the rise of fascist and totalitarian regimes in Europe on many occasions, particularly during the World Cups. During the war, he joined the staff of the Sochaux team, for whom he had a deep attachment. Despite the crisis affecting the club, losing his professional status, he remained loyal to his team.

Based in Belfort during the war, he became a prominent member of the French Resistance and remained in contact with the English secret services present in the occupied territory. In December 1943, he recovered a parachute drop of weapons by the Allied forces. Suspected by the Gestapo, he was finally arrested in February 1944.

Imprisoned in the Friederich barracks, he underwent 13 interrogations over a period of 92 days, enduring all sorts of torture. Despite the pain, he did not give in. With impeccable ethics and a mental fortitude, he trained physically throughout his detention, doing push-ups every day to maintain good physical and mental health. He kept all the secrets he had and did not admit any details about the resistance and his clandestine activity, an act of bravery and courage that few men have done.

Finally released due to lack of evidence and confessions, but also due to the incessant demands of the Peugeot company, he briefly reunited with his family before leaving the region in total secrecy. On the run, he boarded a farmer's hay cart to leave French territory. At the border, the cart is checked by a German soldier who plants a pitchfork in the hay, fortunately for Étienne, the pitchfork sinks next to him.

Having managed to reach Switzerland, he subsequently joined the forces of Marshal De Lattre de Tassigny in order to liberate his native region. On the football field, as on the battlefield, he will continue to fight until he reaches Germany and a shell wounds him in the head. Mattler gives his body and soul and he finds his people in 1945 after long, trying years.

Mattler will never mention these war events, like a hero, he remains humble and discreet about this period. The one who is also nicknamed "The Lion of Belfort" will even take up football again after the war, then a player-coach, he will play this final season 1945/46, he is then 40 years old.

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