It is a vast sportswear factory lost in the heart of an industrial zone in the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires. A soulless place that, a priori, has no connection with the French XV or Fabien Galthié. However, it is indeed the rejuvenated face of the coach of the Blues that appears on a wall. The caption of the photo reads: “Argentina-France: 10-6, June 14, 2003.” The factory boss is also present in the photo.
Santiago Phelan smiles at the memory of this “great victory”. At that time, the businessman was a third row player for the Pumas and Galthié was officially the best player in the world. Nothing then suggested that they would one day become colleagues and friends. “He was brilliant, but he was not necessarily the most sympathetic opponent,” laughs the Argentinian. “I didn’t know him personally.” Not yet.
