Scheduled for 2027-2028, a museum addressing the link between workers’ football and immigration will open its doors in Jœuf (Meurthe-et-Moselle). A project promoted by the most famous Lorraine footballer, Michel Platini.
“Museum of Workers’ Football and Immigration“, this is the name that should bear the future temple of football which will be established in Lorraine, and more precisely in the town of Jœuf (Meurthe-et-Moselle).
A long-term project presented this Saturday, November 8 to residents and which aims to tell the history of this sport in France by addressing the influence of the working class and immigration on its popularization.
Carried by the former triple Ballon d’Or Michel Platini, who wanted to establish the museum in his native land, it promises a unique experience to discover the journey of the football through the decades.
Undisputed football fan or not, the museum will primarily be aimed at curious people wishing to learn more about the French’s favorite sport.
An ambition which will begin the story at the beginning of the 20th century, around the First World War. Reconstruction of the locker rooms of a post-Great War stadium, hologram of Michel Platini or even immersion in a living room in 1958, the year of the first appearance of the Blues on television in the World Cup, the experience is intended to be modern and accessible to all.
Modern and accessible to all, the future museum will tell the story of French football in the native land of Michel Platini.
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© Amanda Jacquel, Théo Wargnier / France Télévisions
Another particularity is that of the social prism through which football is approached. A choice which is not a coincidence since the project is partly led by Michel Platini, grandson of Italian immigrants in Lorraine who became a football legend.
“In the world we live in today, I believe that this museum, through football, can do good. I am very proud of this project. Football is the only sport in the world that brings together so many people of different colors and religions, if this museum can help contribute to world peace through this sport, then we will have succeeded.” confides the former number 10 of the France team.
A wish transcribed in this future museum as a reflection of the personal history of the footballer and the greater history of sport in France. This symbolism will also be carried to the building itself since it will be located in the former offices of the De Wendel factories, not far from the café run by the player’s family and which should also reopen its doors.
The fruit of a long period of research work, notably guided by Michel Platini’s childhood friend, Michel Keff, and the mayor of the town André Corzani.
Over an area of 2,600m2, the museum will also retrace the history of this sport in France and its great moments such as the 98 World Cup or by addressing women’s football with the victories of players from Paris Saint-Germain or Olympique Lyonnais.
Scheduled for 2027, or even sometime in 2028, the museum will require work which will last more than a year and which will cost nearly three million euros.
A colossal sum which should be financed by regional and departmental aid and by private sponsorship.