Benoit Mercier‘s hobbies. Benoit Mercier is a massive football fan and a triathlete competing over the world.

I can count myself lucky, my career so far has been based on my hobbies, ecommerce and sports.

Football

Benoit Mercier is a massive football fan, in fact football is my religion. I support three teams:

• England
  
• Man Utd
  

• FC Nantes
  

I have never played at a professional level, apart from when I played at FIFA on my console but I have won few trophies along the way (Sheffield & Hallamshire FA Cup, FX Pro Cup) and played with professionals in amazing arenas. These arenas include:

• Oakwell (Barnsley FC)
• Goodison Park (Everton FC)
  
• Craven Cottage (Fulham FC)
  
• Old Trafford (Man Utd)
  

Some of the professionals I have played with or met:

• Laurent Viaud – my cousin. He lived my dream
  French Ligue 1: SCO Angers, Monaco, Stade Rennais
  French Ligue 2: Laval FC
  La Ligua: Extremadura, Albacete
  Premier League: Everton FC
  National: France U21Awards: Won the Ligue 1 with MonacoFacts: played 5 Champions League game, including semi-final versus AC Milan (hit the post at the San Siro). Played under Arsene Wenger and Raphael Benitez. Played with the likes of Fabien Barthez, Emmanuel Petit, Thierry Henry, Sonny Anderson and against the likes of Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Beckham. 

   

• Robert Pires – midfielder
  French Ligue 1: Metz, Marseille
  La Ligua: Villarreal
  Premier League: Arsenal FC, Aston Villa FC
  India: FC Goa
  National: France U21 and FranceAwards: Won the World Cup, Confederation Cup, Euro, Premier League, FA Cup, French League Cup, Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, Young Ligue 1 Player.Fact: Robert sent me a 45 yards pass pin point onto my head for me to give the assist that won us the FX Pro Cup.  
   
  
  
• Eric Cantona – Forward – My idol (who would rather have played for England than France). Legend.
  French Ligue 1: Auxerre, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nimes
  French Ligue 2: Martigues
  Premier League: Leeds United FC, Manchester United
  National: France U21 and FranceAwards: Won the French Ligue 1, Premier League, French Cup, FA Cup, Ballon d’Or third place, PFA Team of the Year, PFA Players’ Player of the Year, Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, FIFA 100 Greatest Living Footballers.Fact: Met Eric after the derby win against Liverpool. 

   

• Robbie Savage – Midfielder/Pundit
  Premier League: Manchester United, Leicester City, Brimingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Derby County
  National: WalesAwards: Few red cards :).Fact: Ran a 5k with Robbie (he did puff!). Top lad.  

   

• Quinton Fortune – Midfielder/Pundit
  Premier League: Manchester United, Boston
  La Liga: Mallorca, Athletico Madrid
  National: South AfricaAwards: FA Community Shield, Intercontinental Cup, played in three Premiership winning seasons.Fact: Met Quinton whilst working for United. 

Triathlon

I finally hung up my football boots and found in triathlon a new competitive sport that I love. I have only done it for a year but it is great to do an individual sport. My dream is to complete an Ironman distance and participate (through the lottery) to the Kona Ironman.

My best distance so far is the Pays d’Aix Ironman 70.3 in 7h28.