Born in Saint-Étienne, Loire,[1] Armand started playing youth team football for AS Saint-Étienne in 1994. He wasn't retained for the club's senior squad and thus moved to Clermont Foot in 1999, where he received his professional debut.[citation needed]
Nantes
In 2000, having impressed with his performances in Clermont, he switched to top-flight club FC Nantes. He staged his first appearance in Division 1 during the match between AJ Auxerre in Nantes (2–2) 9 September 2000.[2] In a fairytale ending, he won the 2001 Division1 1 championship in his very first season with the "Canaris". He also scored as Nantes won the 2001 Trophée des Champions.[3] The following three seasons were much less successful. He is also the author of a memorable goal in the UEFA Champions League against Lazio in 2001–02,[4] following a lonely run on the left flank.[citation needed]
In 2004, Armand and Nantes teammate Mario Yepes both moved to Paris Saint-Germain for approximately $5 million.[5] After a very difficult season for PSG, Armand took part in the victory of PSG in the Coupe de France in the April 2006 final against Olympique de Marseille. He was then voted best player in the Paris squad for the 2006–07 season following an impressive season, including a very important goal against RC Lens. At the start of the 2006–07 season, Armand signed a two-year extension with the club, keeping him at the club until 2010.[6]
In 2007–08, Armand lost his starting spot status for a game against Valenciennes FC in favour of youngster Mamadou Sakho, who also became the youngest captain in the history of the PSG at the age of 17. Armand then gradually regained his best form, game after game. He provided two consecutive assists, both to Amara Diané, against Lens in Ligue 1 (3–0) then against Valenciennes in the Coupe de la Ligue (4–0) three days later. Rarely injured and suspended, he missed only eight domestic league games between 2004 and 2008, all the while playing in different positions on the pitch, including left-back, centre-back, defensive midfield, and left midfield.[citation needed]
With PSG, Armand won the 2006 and 2010 Coupe de France and the 2008 Coupe de la Ligue. The club's league performances were much less satisfactory, with a series of mid-and low-table finishes between 2004 and 2008. Even in the club's worst seasons, between 2006 and 2008, Armand established himself as a reliable performer and remained loyal to Paris Saint-Germain in spite of interest from other French clubs. During this barren spell, he formed an efficient partnership on the left flank with Jérôme Rothen, and they were a major revelation in an otherwise disappointing Parisian side. In July 2009, Armand signed a three-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2012.[7][8]
After the arrival of new coach Antoine Kombouaré in 2009, Armand was deployed in positions other than left-back, playing in central defence and even as a defensive midfielder when needed. On 17 April 2011, he reached a new landmark when he participated in his 319th game for PSG, thus overtaking legendary goalkeeper Bernard Lama's record. In September 2011, Armand signed a one-year extension with the club, lasting until 2013.[9]
After Carlo Ancelotti replaced the sacked Antoine Kombouaré, Armand struggled to remain a regular starter, especially after the influx of new players brought in by the club's wealthy new Qatari owners, led by Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Although he thought about leaving the team at the end of the season,[10] he chose to remain with PSG for the 2012–13 season in the hope of finally winning the French championship.[citation needed] Armand made his 400th appearance for the club in Le Classique against Marseille, as PSG won 2–0.[11]
On 12 May 2013, two games before the end of the season, PSG secured their third Ligue 1 champions title, 19 years after their last championship win and nine years after Armand's arrival in the club. Armand then quoted:
"We really wanted to win tonight to celebrate the title and we did that. Tonight we are truly champions, here with our supporters. I've been waiting for nine years for this title. I am honoured, and also proud. It also a very emotional night because, for the last week, we have been waiting to say thank-you to all our supporters, who have been here with us through thick and thin. Tonight was the crowning moment, the reward for all the hard work it took to win the championship for Paris and it is exceptional."[12]
In the last game of the season, against FC Lorient, Armand was given the captaincy armband in his last PSG appearance as part of a farewell gesture.[13] At the time of his departure, Armand was the club's longest-serving player and he has been given the nickname "Mr. PSG."[14]
Rennes
On 3 June 2013, Armand joined Rennes on a free transfer, signing a contract with the club lasting until 2015.[15] Armand was previously linked with a move back to FC Nantes.[16] On 1 July, Armand was officially presented by the club.[17]
On 14 January 2017, Armand announced he would end his career at the end of the season.[18]
Post-playing career
In July 2017, following his retirement as a player, Armand was appointed deputy of Rennes' director of recruitment Jean-Luc Buisine.[19]
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, commonly referred to as Paris Saint-Germain, Paris, Paris SG or simply PSG is a professional football club based in Paris, France. They compete in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. As France's most successful club, they have won over 40 official honours, including eleven league titles and one major European trophy. Their home ground is the Parc des Princes located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris near the commune Boulogne-Billancourt.
Ludovic Vincent Giuly is a French former professional footballer who played as a winger.
Jérôme René Marcel Rothen is a French former professional footballer who played as a winger.
Guy Hubert Georges Lacombe is a French football manager and former professional player.
Nicolas Douchez is a French former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Antoine Krilone Kombouaré is a French professional football manager and former player.
Frédéric Antonetti is a French professional football manager and former player who was most recently the manager of French club Strasbourg. He previously managed Bastia, Gamba Osaka, Saint-Étienne, Nice, Rennes and Lille.
FC Nantes won Division 1 season 1994/1995 of the French Association Football League with 79 points and only one defeat.
Christophe Galtier is a French professional football manager and former player who most recently worked as the head coach of Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain.
Mevlüt Erdinç is a former professional footballer who played as a forward.
Mustapha Yatabaré is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Süper Lig club Sivasspor. Born in France, he represents Mali at international level.
Layvin Marc Kurzawa is a French professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain.
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The 2013–14 season was Paris Saint-Germain Football Club's 44th in existence and their 41st in the top-flight of French football. The team competed in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Coupe de la Ligue, the Trophée des Champions and the UEFA Champions League.
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The 2019–20 season was Stade Rennais's 118th season in existence and the club's 26th consecutive season in the top flight of French football. In addition to the domestic league, Rennes participated in this season's editions of the Trophée des Champions, the Coupe de la Ligue, the UEFA Europa League and the Coupe de France. The season covered the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.
The 2020–21 Ligue 1 season, also known as Ligue 1 Uber Eats for sponsorship reasons, was a French association football tournament within Ligue 1. It was the 83rd season since its establishment. The season started on 21 August 2020 and ended on 23 May 2021. The league fixtures were announced on 9 July 2020.
The 2020–21 season was Paris Saint-Germain F.C.'s 48th professional season and the club's 47th consecutive season in the top flight of French football. It was the club's 51st season in existence. In addition to the domestic league, Paris Saint-Germain participated in this season's editions of the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions, and the UEFA Champions League. Following the indefinite suspension of the Coupe de la Ligue, PSG did not compete in the tournament for the first time since 1995. The season covered the period from 24 August 2020 to 30 June 2021.
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