After putting smiles on the faces of his American fans with his first MLS goal on May 28, MetroStars midfielder/forward Youri Djorkaeff delighted some of his French fans with a visit to Staten Island Fleet Week last week.
Djorkaeff, along with his wife and three children, took a trip to Staten Island to meet and greet the crews of the French naval ships docked in Staten Island for Fleet Week. Sailors, officers and chiefs were excited to meet the man who helped the French national team win the World Cup in 1998.
Upon arriving at the pier, Djorkaeff and his family were given a tour of the French warship the Tourville. He later attended a cocktail on board the FS Jean Barte. Along the way, Djorkaeff stopped to give autographs, take pictures and talk with crew members, while greeting others with a quick, "Bonjour!" Djorkaeff took time to mirror the respect and admiration the sailors and officers showed him, as he and his family listened to them tell stories about the ship's operations and their work onboard.
Djorkaeff said he was pleased to be greeted with such excitement from the French crews.
"You have to be proud of this kind of thing," said Djorkaeff, who became the first member of France's 1998 World Cup team to join Major League Soccer in February. "These people are young, and you're here for your country."
While on board the FS Jean Barte, Djorkeaff attended a cocktail party where he was greeted by the naval liaison officer of the French embassy in Washington, D.C. He also gave away an autographed MetroStars soccer ball and took time to visit the lower rank enlisted sailors that were unable to attend the party.
"He walks by, and they're just shocked he's here," said Alain Berry, U.S. Navy Fleet Recreation Coordinator. "For them to see him, it's awesome. [The crew was saying] it's strange seeing him on TV and in papers and now having him face to face. It's a big difference."
