“I taught you everything, and you shoot like that?” Jérémy Mathieu joked to Bruno Fernandes, recalling their shared days at Sporting Portugal as the former French defender opens up on his post-retirement life away from the spotlight.

Six years after ending his professional career, former Barcelona and Valencia center-back Jérémy Mathieu has largely stepped away from the world of football, So Foot reported.

Life After Playing and Coaching in Aix-en-Provence

Mathieu’s post-playing transition has taken him from retail work at Intersport to the touchline in the south of France. The former France international now coaches the Under-15 squad at Aix-en-Provence, guiding teenagers while keeping his professional football commitments to a minimum. Though he occasionally pulls on his boots for charity matches alongside fellow former internationals, his daily focus sits firmly on grassroots youth development rather than the media-heavy environment of top-flight leagues.

Reconnecting Over Free-Kick Practice with Bruno Fernandes

Among the players Mathieu shared a dressing room with during his career, only one remains a regular conversational partner. During an interview with So Foot, Mathieu revealed that his strongest post-career bond in football belongs to Portugal playmaker Bruno Fernandes, whom he befriended during their shared spell at Sporting Portugal.

“I have contact with some France team players, with whom I play charity matches. Otherwise, the only player I really kept in touch with is Bruno Fernandes, whom I knew at Sporting,” Mathieu told So Foot.

The pair built a lasting rapport on the training pitches in Lisbon, frequently staying late to hone their set-piece routines. That training-ground dynamic has evolved into a lighthearted digital back-and-forth across the English Channel. Mathieu monitors the Red Devils midfielder’s matches from France, ready to critique every dead-ball attempt that misses the target.

“From time to time, I watch his matches. When he takes a free kick, I film it and send him the video. I tease him when he doesn’t score. I tell him: ‘I taught you everything, and you shoot like that?'” Mathieu explained.

Bruno Fernandes Invites French Defender to Manchester

The relationship stretches beyond virtual video critiques into genuine visits. According to Mathieu’s interview, Bruno Fernandes extended a personal invitation for the French defender to visit Manchester, cementing an enduring friendship forged in the competitive environment of Portuguese club football.