In 2006 he joined Villarreal and then Aston Villa in 2010. In 2014 he signed with FC Goa of the Indian Super League. Pires competed for France in international competition for their Under-21 team and then for the senior side from 1996 to 2004. He helped France win the World Cup in 1998, the UEFA European Championship in 2000, and FIFA Confederations Cups in 2001 and 2003. He has been named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year, Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year, PFA Team of the Year three times, FA Premier League Player of the Month, 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball and Golden Shoe. He has also been named to the FIFA 100 by Pele.