Belfort (AFP)

Back in National 2 after having touched the professional world, Belfort captain Thomas Régnier savored the daily life of amateur football with philosophy. Without any bitterness before challenging Montpellier (L1) Tuesday in the knockout stages of the Coupe de France (6.30 p.m.).

It is a beautiful poster that will remind the striker (35) of his best years, when he wore the jersey of Sochaux and had even disputed the UEFA Cup, ancestor of the Europa League.

And since he is the player with the most extensive CV in the Belgian workforce, he will be invaluable in maintaining the good momentum of ASM Belfort FC, which reached the knockout stages for the first time in its history.

Spotted in post-training by Sochaux, Thomas Régnier touched Ligue 1 with his foot in a few bouts of matches, as well as the "little European Cup, the time of two returns against the Greeks of Olympiacos Piraeus in the eighth final of the C3 in 2004-2005.

He then went on to pass in Ligue 2 (Clermont), National (Châtellerault, Cannes, Reims, Colmar) and Nationale 2 (Mulhouse, Lille reserve), before returning to his hometown in 2013. Without any regrets.

"I know that I could probably have done better. My character probably undermined me, but you have to know how to appreciate what you have. I could also never have evolved into a professional or a National despite my efforts ", positive the center forward, who knows that a professional career sometimes plays little.

"In the return match at Olympiakos, I jump to goal, but I am wrongly flagged offside. A goal in the European Cup could have been a nice springboard, but again, you must not live in the past ", he philosophizes.

- "A beautiful party" -

The Captain of Belfort does not regret his return to Franche-Comté after his many wanderings.

Belfort, firmly established in the 4th division, even experienced two National seasons (2015-2017). And the club, which tamed Nancy (L2) in the previous round with a double from Régnier (3-1), dreams of a new feat in the small Roger-Serzian stadium which will fill up on Tuesday evening for the arrival of the Hérault people.

"At 29 years old (in 2013, Editor's note), I thought it was a great idea to come home. I have lived through a lot of pretty things since with these two seasons in National, three rounds of the Coupe de France in the islands (Tahiti, Martinique, Guadeloupe) and the great adventure of this year ", savored the attacker.

Already beautiful, the Belfort French Cup campaign would become memorable if exploited Tuesday evening against Montpellier, a solid fourth in Ligue 1. But as an old driver on professional grounds, Thomas Régnier is aware of the difficulty awaiting his team.

"It's really a difficult draw," he admits. "Afterwards, there can be so many things going on in a soccer match. We are going to play this match without question, it's the best way to play it well. And whatever happens, it will be a great party ", he promises. History of having no regrets!

© 2020 AFP