Marama Vahirua

Marama Vahirua (born 12 May 1980) is a Tahitian former professional footballer who played as a striker. He spent most of his career in France before finishing his professional career in Greece with Panthrakikos F.C. In July 2018, he became president of Tahitian club A.S. Dragon. Between 2013 and 2014, he was the technical director of the Tahitian Football Federation.
Club career
Vahirua started his career at the famed youth academy of Nantes, winning several honors including a Ligue 1 championship. Vahirua became known for being a "super sub" in the 2000–01 championship season as he often scored goals coming on as a substitute. His goal celebration was to mimic kayaking, a tribute to his Tahitian roots. He scored a goal in the 2001–02 Champions League when Nantes played against PSV Eindhoven.
Vahirua then went to Nice in August 2004, where he enjoyed two spectacular seasons, being reconverted to attacking midfielder in the process. After falling out with coach Frédéric Antonetti, he would leave the club in the Summer of 2007, joining fellow Ligue 1 side Lorient. The striker of Lorient announced on 12 May 2010 that he would play the following season with Nancy, and signed a three-year-deal. On 11 August 2011, he joined Ligue 2 side Monaco on loan until the end of the 2011–12 season.
On 12 October 2013, he had signed with his hometown club A.S. Pirae.
In 2016, he joined Temanava. In May 2017 he scored in the semi-final of the Tahiti Cup against A.S. Dragon but his team lost after penalties.
In summer 2017, he transferred to A.S. Dragon where he would play in the OFC Champions League in March 2018.
In September 2018, he retired as a player.
International career
Vahirua is a former France under-21 international, being given his chance by former senior team coach Raymond Domenech.
After winning 2012 OFC Nations Cup, Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta called Vahirua up for 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Solomon Islands and New Caledonia in September 2012 and for the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. Vahirua was the only full-time footballer in the mostly semi-professional squad, as well as the only one to play outside Tahiti.
He earned his first full cap for Tahiti on 17 June 2013 against Nigeria in a 6–1 losing effort at the Confederations Cup. He played the first 70 minutes of the game, setting up Tahiti's first goal of the tournament with a corner. After the tournament, Vahirua announced his retirement from the professional game, considering that he was leaving at the pinnacle of his career.
On 20 March 2018, Vahirua returned for Tahiti, playing in a 0–0 draw in a friendly against New Caledonia.
Non-playing career
In July 2018, Vahirua became president of Tahitian club A.S. Dragon, whom he last played for.
Personal life
His cousin, Pascal Vahirua, is a former French international.
After his last professional contract, at Panthrakikos in 2013, Vahirua suffered from depression for two years.
Honours
Nantes
Division 1: 2000–01
Coupe de France: 1998–99, 1999–2000
Pirae
Super Ligue Mana: 2013–14
Individual
Oceania Footballer of the Year: 2005
References
External links
1980 births
Living people
People from Papeete
French men's footballers
French expatriate men's footballers
French Polynesian men's footballers
French Polynesian expatriate men's footballers
Tahiti men's international footballers
France men's under-21 international footballers
Men's association football forwards
FC Nantes players
OGC Nice players
FC Lorient players
AS Nancy Lorraine players
AS Monaco FC players
Panthrakikos F.C. players
Expatriate men's footballers in Greece
Ligue 1 players
Ligue 2 players
Super League Greece players
2013 FIFA Confederations Cup players
A.S. Pirae players