There aren’t many figures in Australian football who have gotten close to the likes of Neymar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi, but then Robbie Thomson is not your average commentator.
In another time and place, the affable Thomson might have stood a respectable distance from the Parisian barricades in May 1968, baguette in hand, observing the protests with a keen eye and the uncanny ability to describe all the action with a clipped turn of phrase.
“I’m not a militant,” Thomson told me over the course of an hour-long conversation that ranged in topic from his love of the National Soccer League to the time he introduced Lionel Messi to fans of Paris Saint-Germain in the Argentine superstar’s first interview for the club.
He pronounced ‘militant’ in French – and he meant it in the sense of not wanting to get involved in the interminable politics of Australian football – but after an illuminating chat with the cultured Canberra native, it’s hard to imagine a more fascinating figure in the Aussie game.
A self-confessed football fanatic who used to stand behind the goal to watch South Melbourne at Lakeside, Thomson studied Italian at university, before paradoxically pitching up in Paris in 2000 in search of top-class European football – and a job.
“I just wanted to live football,” he tells The Roar. “And so I figured that I had to go to Europe.”
Renting a room from a family friend and working at first in a pub, Thomson got his start in European football at sports network Eurosport, before becoming a freelancer-for-hire, doing whatever it took to cover the beautiful game.
“I translated websites, I started commentating on matches in the African Champions League, or the French Cup, or anything that would come up.”
“I did a lot of commentary for Africa, in English,” Thomson explains. “I went to the African Cup of Nations.
“If something came up or an opportunity presented itself, I would say I would do it… even if I wasn’t necessarily qualified.”
That willingness to dive in and do the job saw Thomson land a role as a reporter for SBS during Euro 2008 in Switzerland and Austria, where none other than commentary legend Martin Tyler took a shine to the articulate Aussie.
(Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
A quiet recommendation from Tyler saw Thomson jet off to cover the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar for Fox Sports – and ultimately end up back in Australia commentating on the A-League for two seasons for the network.
Yet Thomson himself is the first to admit the step back into the Australian game was a major adjustment.
“I thought football here wasn’t big enough (back then),” he says. “I’d been immersed in it for a decade (in Europe) and I came back here and I wasn’t ready.”
Fortunately for Thomson, his past work as a translator and commentator had not gone unnoticed. When a job came up to work as an in-house broadcast journalist for Paris Saint-Germain, the fluent French speaker grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
It was to be a dream nine-year run for the Aussie, as a succession of superstars strolled through the doors of the Parc des Princes.
Thomson soon became acquainted with global superstars like David Beckham, Angel Di Maria, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani, even if he name-checks a much humbler name as one of his favourite players to work with in the French capital.
(Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“The Brazilian, Maxwell,” Thomson says of the former left-back and current PSG assistant sporting director.
And having acknowledged that the megastars of the game tend to keep a watchful distance, Thomson makes clear that his love of the game has always stemmed from standing with the fans on the terrace.
He’s a bona fide football nut, and having simultaneously honed his commentary skills as an in-demand English-language commentator for Ligue 1, his return to the A-Leagues last season was a huge coup for Network Ten.
And he’s excited about the upcoming season ahead.
“I just get excited about the idea of the games being back on,” Thomson says.
“The new players, what we’re going to discover, and the storylines that are there to be written.”
Griffo
Roar Guru
Thanks Mike, a really good article - couldn't believe it was over when the words ended. When is part three and four? :stoked: The more I hear about Robbie the more fascinating his story becomes. It was great to have him on board last season with Simon.
Anthony Ferguson
Guest
Robbie played for ANU in Canberra in the 1990s when I was there. We played on different teams but I spoke to him often. Nice to see he's done so well for himself.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
It's not rocket science Brainstrust. There cannot be too many organisations who have an uninterupted development curve, without any technical, materiel or financial set backs only continuous development. Welcome to the real world, nothing is perfect. But the first option to me is an excellent advancement. And if you dont like it on FTA, pay 8 bucks a month and watch on Para +
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
I reckon the 2 games probably outweighs being dumped from the main channel.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Whats more important 2 mens free to air games + all womens free streamed Versus 1 mens games on main channel and 1 womens game. You cant be serious the first option is a mile ahead.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
And? The A-League has been dumped from its main channel and onto its 2nd on thats not even HD. Surely this guy wont have a job for to much longer.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Hard to do justice to Robbie's whole story in just 690 words. Needless to say, we spoke about A LOT during our call. He had plenty more to say, including: - how the Australia Cup is one of his favourite competitions in world football - how it took him ages to convince PSG officials to sell him a ticket to the Kop of Boulogne when he first moved to Paris - how it's hard to get close to big European superstars, even if you work with them every day. And plenty more. I probably could have written his biography by the end of it. He's a super-interesting bloke.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Yes, he and Simon Hill are Network Ten's two main callers.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Is Robbie the main male voice we hear on Paramount?
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I was very impressed when he mentioned going to ask one of the Oakleigh bench how to pronounce his name. Very good commentator and a step above in how hard working and concentrated on the job he is. The on top of that he is a very entertaining presenter as well. That he is also avoiding any dodgy business behind the scenes its a big thumbs up, no doubt the PFA would be trying to influence him as well as who knows who else.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Exactly Mid, it's the "want it now generation's" mindset. It has to have everything, it has to be perfect, and it has to happen now. Incremental developmment, planning, testing, trialling these are considerations that are just not of any importance. For eight dollars a month, with the potential for future improvement, for a full season of football, I'm more than happy with that degree of expenditure for a good quality service at this point that will only improve with time. All good things come to those who wait!
Midfielder
Roar Guru
IMO CBS have put together a reasonable broadcast team of which Thomo is one.... while we point to everything they do wrong we hardly ever say thats well done...
Brendan
Roar Pro
Great article. Thompson’s a fascinating character. He’s involvement & commentary in the Australia Cup has added gravitas to the competition. Happy to have him onboard.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Morning Football Faithful, Thomson is a class act and it underlines just how far Aussies are going in the world game. Does Australia know about all of this, no, why because there's not enough media, but Kudos to Thomson. In the words of the new Prince of Wales, he's been there, done that and go the t-shirt. Imagine the experiences Robbie's had, the places he has seen. If you sat down to have a beer with him, I reckon the string of war stories would be outstanding to say the least. You might disagree, but the A-League is richer for his presence, the Australian Martin Tyler if you will. I would love to know his thoughts on the progression of Australian football and how he sees this season shaping up. Mike thanks for this, really good start to a Monday morning. Bring on the season
Grem
Roar Rookie
I always enjoy Robbie’s commentary of the games he covers. He commentates clearly, with passion and excitement that’s not overdone. Great to have him covering the A Leagues. I always found his accent interesting and didn’t know he was an Aussie! His travels explain the “accent”.