Former Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Marseille, Monaco, Real Madrid and Barcelona legends feature in France’s squad for the International Legends World Cup.
Zidane lifts the World Cup trophy for France 1998
Football in the most popular sport in France, and the European nation have been very successful, winning the World Cup, European Championship, Confederations Cup and Olympic Gold. Their club sides have been less successful on the international stage, Marseille the only French club to have won the European Cup in 1993, meaning French clubs have the same number of European titles as clubs from Scotland and Romania.
The French national team are remarkably inconsistent. They finished third at the 1986 World Cup, failed to even qualify in 1990 and 1994, before being crowned champions in 1998, beating Brazil 3-0 in the final. Of course, they finished bottom of their group in 2002, losing to both Senegal and Denmark. Despite their inconsistency, they have had some genuinely world class players.
Below is France’s definite 15 man squad, plus their 8 reserves from which you choose which 3 join the initial 15 to create a final 18 man squad.
French legends Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry will both feature at the International Legends World Cup
Julien Darui
Likely to be France’s number one at the International Legends World Cup, Julien Darui was named France’s goalkeeper of the century in 1999 by L’Equipe. Born in Luxembourg, Darui played most of his club football for the now defunct Club Olympique de Roubaix Tourcoing, and won 25 caps for Les Bleus between 1939 and 1951.
Fabien Barthez
He may have been a bit mental, but Fabien Barthez was a good goalkeeper. He won 87 caps for France during his time at Marseille, Monaco and Manchester United. He was France’s number one for both their successes at the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. Barthez was named the IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper for 2000, ahead of German great Oliver Kahn.
Lilian Thuram
World class at right-back or centre-back, Lilian Thuram is the standout defender in this France squad. Born in Guadeloupe, the 45-year-old is the most capped Frenchman of all-time, scoring two goals from his 142 caps. A dominant defender who was quick, powerful and clever, Thuram turned out for the likes of Juventus and Barcelona. He played in two World Cup finals for France, winning one in 1998.
Marcel Desailly
Roberto Di Matteo celebrates winning the FA Cup with Chelsea teammate Marcel Desailly
Nicknamed ‘the Rock’ for a reason, Marcel Desailly was an incredibly consistent and formidable defender, who also played as a defensive midfielder at times. Like so many great French internationals, Desailly wasn’t born in France, but moved to the country aged four. He went on to win 116 caps for his adopted home, including four international triumphs, and played for the likes of Marseille, AC Milan and Chelsea at club level.
Laurent Blanc
Another defender with a commanding nickname, Laurent Blanc was nicknamed ‘Le President’ by Marseille fans. The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Manchester United man won 97 caps for his country, before going on to manage them for two years. Most recently the manager of PSG, Blanc was a key man in both of France’s greatest international achievements.
Bixente Lizarazu
Once described as a ‘tramp’ by Patrice Evra, it is Lizarazu – not Evra – who makes the initial French 15 man squad. A solid left-back with a fine reading of the game, Lizarazu won 97 caps for France whilst playing most of his club football for Bordeaux and Bayern Munich. Now a keen surfer, Lizarazu was a prolific winner at club and international level.
Manuel Amoros
Manuel Amoros in action for France
A great utility player for France at the International Legends World Cup, Manuel Amoros can play at right of left-back, and would be a more than capable deputy for either Thuram or Lizarazu. Capped 82 times by the national team, the diminutive full-back was the French Player of the Year in 1986 and is a legend at both Monaco and Marseille.
Patrick Vieira
Moving onto the midfield, and France have a list of exceptional holding, deep-lying or enforcing midfielders which could rival any nation on Earth. Just managing to make the initial 15 is Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira. Physically superb, Vieira was a real leader and could drive any team forward. He won 107 caps for France, winning three international honours and captained Arsenal during their ‘Invincible’ season.
Jean Tigana
From Claude Makelele to Didier Deschamps and even now N’Golo Kante, France have had some geniuses in this position, but none finer than Jean Tigana. A really classy central midfielder, Tigana had it all; stamina, technique, vision. He won 52 caps for the national team, winning the European Championships and making two World Cup semi-finals. Tigana was runner-up to compatriot Michel Platini in the 1984 Ballon d’Or.
Michel Platini
Michel Platini in action for France vs Portugal
Talking of Platini, here he is, stamping his authority on this squad. Arguably the greatest French footballer of all-time, he may have sullied his reputation somewhat since retirement, but that cannot detract from his ability with a ball at his feet. A wonderful technician, creator of chances and ruthless in front of goal, Platini won 72 caps for France, scoring 41 goals, and starring in three international tournaments. One of only five three-time Ballon d’Or winners, Platini played for Nancy, Saint-Etienne and Juventus.
Zinedine Zidane
If there’s one man who can challenge Platini for the title of France’s greatest of all-time it is Zinedine Zidane. So graceful on a football pitch, Zidane was not a showboater, but would glide past opponents. Not always the most consistent, but when he took a game by the scruff of the neck, he would dominate it. What’s more, Zidane had a tendency to do just that in the biggest of games. He won 108 caps for his country and played for the likes of Juventus and Real Madrid.
Raymond Kopa
Raymond Kopa spent three seasons at Real Madrid, and he won the European Cup in every one of them. That is an extraordinary record for an extraordinary player. Most commonly an attacking midfielder but sometimes deployed wide right, Kopa was quick and tricky. He won 45 caps for France and won the Ballon d’Or in 1958, making the top three of voting on four occasions.
Thierry Henry
France and Arsenal heroes Robert Pires and Thierry Henry
Following an extremely talented midfield, we move onto the forwards, spearheaded by France’s all-time leading goal scorer – Thierry Henry. Quite possibly the greatest player in Premier League history, Henry had blistering pace, excellent technique and a coolness in front of goal which saw him score 226 goals in 369 games for Arsenal. He went on to play for Barcelona and New York Red Bulls, retiring from international football in 2010 with a record of 51 goals from 123 caps.
Just Fontaine
Henry’s record may be impressive, but he never turned it on at a World Cup quite like Just Fontaine. In fact, no player ever turned it on quite like Just Fontaine at a World Cup in terms of goal scoring. The Frenchman bagged 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup. For perspective, James Rodriguez won the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot with 6 goals and Thomas Muller the 2010 Golden Boot with 5 goals. In total, Fontaine bagged 30 goals in 21 caps for France, as well as being prolific at club level with Nice and Reims.
Jean-Pierre Papin
The fourth and final Ballon d’Or winner in this squad, Jean-Pierre Papin has to make the cut. Best known for his six year stint at Marseille, Papin also turned out for the likes of AC Milan and Bayern Munich. At international level, he scored 30 goals from 54 caps for France. Over the course of his career, he scored a total of 303 goals in 542 games.
Reserves
Manchester United great Eric Cantona is among the reserves for France
That’s it for France’s definite 15, now it’s over to you to pick which three reserve players get the nod and join the likes of Platini and Zidane in France’s final 18. The eight reserve players to choose from are as follows:
1. Hugo Lloris – Former Lyon and current Tottenham goalkeeper – 87 caps*
2. Marius Tresor – Former Marseille and Bordeaux centre-back – 65 caps
3. Patrick Battison – Former Metz and Bordeaux full-back – 56 caps
4. Claude Makelele – Former Real Madrid, Chelsea and PSG midfielder – 71 caps
5. Alain Giresse – Former Bordeaux and Marseille midfielder – 47 caps
6. Didier Deschamps – Former Marseille and Juventus midfielder – 103 caps
7. Robert Pires – Former Arsenal and Villarreal winger – 79 caps
8. Eric Cantona – Former Auxerre and Manchester United forward – 45 caps
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