Quick Facts
GeminiBiography
Lionel Letizi (born 28 May 1973 in Nice) is a French former professional football goalkeeper. He played 4 matches for the France national team.
Club career
France
He took his first steps as a professional player with OGC Nice where he won the French second division in 1994. Upon reaching the French first division he was spotted by a number of clubs before joining FC Metz in 1996. At Metz he was a runner-up in the French first division in 1998 and finalist of the French League Cup in 1999. The chance to take a step up arrived when he joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2000 in order to be able to play in the Champions’ League. He remained first choice at PSG for 6 years, but the signing of Mickael Landreau led him to seek a move.
Move to Scotland
On 16 June 2006 he completed a move to Rangers on a free transfer.
On 13 August 2006 his blunder led directly to Dunfermline's equaliser in a stale 1–1 draw. Letizi recovered in the next game and helped Rangers to a 2–0 win over Hearts before succumbing to injury. After 2 months on the sidelines, Letizi controversially made an automatic return to the side despite impressive performances from his replacement Allan McGregor.
Manager Paul Le Guen had made it clear at the start of the season that Letizi was going to be number one and, as such, this was not entirely unexpected. But the decision was questioned when another fumble on 14 October 2006 gave Inverness Caledonian Thistle a shock 1–0 win at Ibrox and left Rangers trailing Celtic by 10 points after just ten SPL games.
After the departure of Le Guen, Letizi's future at Rangers appeared uncertain and he was released from his contract with the club on 30 January 2007. Letizi had not played since October 2006 and featured in just eight matches in his six-month stay, keeping only one clean sheet in that time. He subsequently joined his first club, OGC Nice.
International career
Although capped 4 times for the French national team he never managed to displace Fabien Barthez. He was in France's preliminary squad of 28 players for the 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil. However, he was one of 6 players axed by head coach Aime Jacquet just before the tournament began. France went on to be victorious in the tournament and become national heroes.
Trivia
- His father Alain Letizi was also a goalkeeper and played for AS Cannes.
Honours
Club
- French second division champion: 1994
- Finalist of the French League Cup: 1999
- French Cup : 2004, 2006
International
- 4 selections with the French national team (debut on 11 October 1997 against South Africa in a 2–1 win)