Legends of the Pitch: The Best of French Football

Few players have had a career as decorated as Thierry Henry’s. The French striker played for some of the best clubs in the world, including Arsenal, Juventus, Monaco, and Barcelona. Henry is considered one of the greatest strikers ever; he was a creative force with blistering pace and a lethal eye for goal-scoring opportunities.

For France, Henry was invaluable. He scored 51 goals in 123 appearances for Les Blues, making him the nation’s all-time top scorer. He delivered moments that will live long in memories: like his infamous backheel against Liverpool or his perfect free kick against England at the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers.

Henry’s long list of individual accolades speak to his immense talent. From being named FIFA World Player of the Year to Premier League Player of the Season twice – not to mention 8 trophies won with clubs – Henry remains one of the French football gods to this day.

Zinedine Zidane is a name that almost every football fan in the world knows – and with good reason. During his career, he won the World Cup for France, along with other major titles, and played for some of the best club teams in Europe. His skill and composure on the pitch earned him widespread admiration, cementing his place in football history.His technical ability was unparalleled – he had incredible control over the ball and could fit passes into even the tightest of spaces. He was also renowned for his work rate on the pitch, often outlasting most players and intimidating opponents with his sheer presence. Zidane was able to dictate play from the midfield, controlling the game and creating chances for his teammates to score.

Perhaps most impressive of all was Zidane’s composure under pressure. He proved time and time again that he could stay cool even when things were starting to get heated on the pitch. His ability to remain calm gave him an advantage in tight situations, as well as a real air of authority which earned him fans all over the world.

Zinedine Zidane is without a doubt one of France’s best ever players – a master on the pitch who will be remembered long after his retirement.

Antoine Griezmann is widely considered to be one of the best French football players of all time. Since bursting onto the scene as a young prodigy, Griezmann has quickly become renowned for his eye for goal and technical ability.Boasting an impressive goal-scoring record of 159 in 364 appearances, Griezmann’s knack for making himself available in the box and sticking away chances from all angles have made him a fan favourite.

In 2019, Griezmann received both the World Cup Golden Boot and the European Golden Boot honours, becoming only the second Frenchman to win both awards in his career (the first being Thierry Henry). He also claimed two La Liga Player of the Year awards in 2016 and 2018 – attesting to his impressive prowess on the pitch.

These successes have seen Griezmann become one of the most sought-after French footballers in history, with several teams vying for his signature. He remains an integral part of France’s national team, helping them to their 2018 FIFA World Cup title with four goals in seven matches – a record only bettered by Kylian Mbappé.

The fourth entry on our list is Michel Platini, a man who many proclaimed as one of the best players in Europe. On the pitch he was a force to be reckoned with, known for his incredible passing and football vision.Platini shot to fame after leading France’s national team to victory at the 1984 European Championship title, scoring nine times in just five games. This earned him a well-deserved Golden Boot award and acknowledgement as one of the greatest footballers of his generation.

The Frenchman then went on to play for Juventus, winning two Serie A titles, two Coppa Italias and a UEFA Cup. Off the pitch he was equally impressive, going on to become president of UEFA and serving three terms as president of FIFA after his retirement in 1998.

In short Michel Platini was an iconic leader and a shining star in French Football – an invaluable asset to both club and country.

Marcel Desailly is known as one of the best defenders in French football history. As a young player, he made his debut for Nantes at the age of 16, quickly becoming renowned as an impenetrable wall in defence.He soon made a name for himself in Milan, where he played for 5 years and won 2 Serie A titles and a Champions League title. In 1998, he transferred to Chelsea FC, where he continued his success story. Marcel was a key member of the France team that won the World Cup in 1998 and Euro 2000, where he was also named Player of the Tournament.

This accomplishment cemented his place in French footballing lore – but it’s his career-long talent for reading opponents that made him such an irreplaceable part of France’s teams over the years. His ability to anticipate which direction opposition teams would attack from and make perfect tackles is unrivalled by any defender since him.

Throughout his career, Marcel played with smart anticipation and mental acuity – characteristics that earned him a spot on this list of French football’s most legendary players.

When it comes to the greatest players of French football, there’s no denying that Patrick Vieira is in the conversation. An Arsenal man for nine years and a pivotal member of their 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ squad, Vieira was known for his physical strength, mental toughness and phenomenal passing ability – attributes that would make him an integral part of any team he played for.Whether it was France or Arsenal, Vieira was renowned for his ability to dominate a midfield and propel his team forward. He had a knack for being able to control the tempo of games with his tireless running, pinpoint long-range passes and defensive intercepting skills – qualities which made him an invaluable asset on the pitch.

Vieira’s impressive career includes major honours such as three Premier League titles, two successive FA Cup wins with Arsenal, two Serie A medals at Inter Milan and of course a 1998 World Cup medal. In recognition of his immense talent and influence on the sport, Vieira has been inducted into both the English Football Hall of Fame (2005) and France’s Football Hall of Fame (2010).

There are few players in French football history who have achieved as much success as Patrick Vieira – a masterful midfielder who offered strength, intelligence and class in abundance.

As one of the few players to have won the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award, Franck Ribéry is undisputedly one of the best French footballers in history.Ribéry is known for his speed and agility on the pitch, making him a difficult player to tackle or defend against. He was able to use his speed and technical ability to create opportunities for his teammates and score plenty of incredible goals. Ribéry has scored over 100 goals during his career, and has been a key figure at the clubs he’s played for – from FC Metz in Ligue 2 all the way up to Bayern Munich in Germany’s Bundesliga.

In addition to his excellent scoring record, Ribéry also managed to accumulate an astonishing amount of awards during his time on the pitch. He won six consecutive Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich between 2013 and 2019, as well as four DFB-Pokal Cups and one UEFA Champions League title in 2013. He also picked up two French Player of the Year awards (in 2007 and 2008) and five German Player of the Year awards (from 2009 to 2013).

His hard work and dedication has made him an icon in both France and Germany, cementing him as one of the best French footballers ever.

Bixente Lizarazu is one of the most iconic French football players of all time. A versatile defender and master of precision, he was renowned for providing crucial stability to the left-hand side of the pitch – both on defence and attack.Playing over 400 games for Bayern Munich between 1997-2005, he was instrumental in their success during that period. His agility, control and speed made him an ever present force on the wing, a fact evidenced by his selection in the 1998 World Cup squad.

Not just a one-trick pony, Lizarazu was also versatile enough to perform at left back as well as left midfield – something few players are able to do successfully. As testament to his ability as a defender he won eight trophies during his time at Bayern Munich including six Bundesliga titles.

His 94 caps for France make him the second most capped player in the nation’s history; a fitting tribute to one of their greatest players ever.

Lilian Thuram is one of the most respected French defenders in the history of football. He was known for his impeccable positioning, ability to read the game, and relentless work ethic on both sides of the pitch.During his career, he played for several top clubs like Juventus, Parma, and Barcelona. He was part of some of the greatest teams in French football and won numerous prestigious awards such as Thierry Henry’s Most Valuable Player award in 2001 and Le Soir’s Best Defender award in 2004.

Thuram wasn’t just admired for his defensive abilities but also for his skillful attacking play. He often created chances with his crosses, set pieces, and long passes and scored a total of 14 goals throughout his career – an impressive feat for a defender.

Time and time again Thuram proved to be an invaluable asset on both ends of the pitch, earning him a place among legends of French football.

Robert Pirès was one of the most beloved French footballers throughout his career. His physical play on the pitch and instinctive ability helped him to become one of the best players in France’s golden age of football, making him an unforgettable presence on the pitch.Primarily an attacking midfielder, Pirès had a decorated club career with Arsenal and Villarreal, winning 3 Premier League titles and 2 FA Cups during his six-year spell at Arsenal. He also made 79 appearances for the French national team between 1996 and 2004, scoring 14 goals.

Pirès’ style was characterised by his natural agility, technique and quick-thinking. These attributes enabled him to find space in defensive lines, leaving defenders confused as to where he would move next. He was also known for his vision in finding teammates with great through balls that led to chances that could be converted into goals in a matter of seconds.

His impact on the game is still felt today – young players around Europe look up to Pirès as a role model due to his commitment and flair on the pitch. Few could replicate what Robert Pirès brought in terms of physicality and instinctiveness; he left behind an impressive legacy that will be remembered by many generations of fans who admired his skills across English and Spanish leagues alike.