Greatest French Football Players of All Time
The greatest French football players in history — ranked by career achievements, honours and legacy.
FrenchAll French Football Athletes
Browse all 46 french football athletes in our database.
French
Alexandre Lacazette
Forward
French striker known for clinical finishing and movement in the box. Rose through Lyon's academy to …
French
Amandine Henry
Defensive Midfielder
French midfielder and captain considered one of the greatest players in women's football history, le…
French
Antoine Griezmann
Forward/Attacking Midfielder
French forward who won the 2018 World Cup and finished third in the 2018 Ballon d'Or, known for his …
French
Arsène Wenger
Manager
The Professor — revolutionary Arsenal manager who transformed English football with his approach to …
French
Aurélien Tchouaméni
Midfielder
French central midfielder who became one of Europe's most sought-after talents, winning the Champion…
French
Bacary Sagna
Right Back
French professional footballer who played as a right-back for Arsenal and Manchester City, earning 6…
French
Claude Makélélé
Midfielder
The midfielder so influential that his position was named after him — the 'Makélélé Role' became a t…
French
David Ginola
Left Winger
French footballer and winger who became a Premier League icon at Newcastle United and Tottenham, win…
French
Dayot Upamecano
Centre-back
French centre-back who became one of Europe's most sought-after defenders, starring for RB Leipzig a…
French
Didier Deschamps
Midfielder/Coach
French football midfielder and manager who captained France to 1998 World Cup victory, then coached …
French
Dimitri Payet
Attacking Midfielder/Winger
French attacking midfielder and winger known for exceptional free-kick ability and creative playmaki…
French
Eduardo Camavinga
Midfielder
French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Real Madrid and France, known for his e…
French
Emmanuel Petit
Midfielder
Elegant French midfielder who scored in the 1998 World Cup final and formed a brilliant partnership …
French
Eric Cantona
Forward
The charismatic French king of Manchester United who transformed the club at the dawn of the Premier…
French
Florent Malouda
Winger / Midfielder
Versatile and explosive French winger who provided crucial goals and assists during Chelsea's trophy…
French
Franck Ribéry
Left Winger
Bayern Munich's dazzling French winger and UEFA Best Player in Europe 2013 — direct, rapid and a cre…
French
Frédéric Kanouté
Forward
Tall, elegant striker of Franco-Malian heritage whose goals and professionalism at Sevilla and West …
French
Hugo Lloris
Goalkeeper
French footballer and goalkeeper who captained France to World Cup victory in 2018 and became one of…
French
Ibrahima Konaté
Centre-back
French centre-back who became one of Europe's most promising defenders, starring for RB Leipzig befo…
French
Jean-Pierre Papin
Centre Forward
French striker renowned for his prolific goal-scoring ability, winning the Ballon d'Or in 1991 and l…
French
Just Fontaine
Centre Forward
Owner of the most extraordinary single-tournament record in football history — 13 goals in 6 games a…
French
Karim Benzema
Centre Forward
Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or winner in 2022 and the club's all-time Champions League scorer — a complet…
French
Kingsley Coman
Winger
French professional footballer and versatile winger who plays for Bayern Munich and the France natio…
French
Kylian Mbappé
Forward
French footballer born in 1998, widely regarded as one of the world's best players. FIFA World Cup w…
French
Laurent Koscielny
Centre Back
Intelligent and quick French centre-back who became Arsenal captain and one of the Premier League's …
French
Lilian Thuram
Defender
French football defender and midfielder who won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, becoming France's …
French
Louis Saha
Forward
Explosive and skilful French striker whose pace and finishing ability shone at Fulham and Manchester…
French
Marcus Thuram
Forward
French striker/winger born 1997, son of World Cup winner Lilian Thuram. Known for pace, versatility …
French
Michel Platini
Attacking Midfielder
Three-time European Footballer of the Year and France's greatest player of his generation — a playma…
French
N'Golo Kanté
Midfielder
French defensive midfielder renowned for his tireless work rate, ball-winning ability, and key role …
French
Nicolas Anelka
Forward
Supremely talented but enigmatic French striker who played for a record number of top clubs and won …
French
Olivier Giroud
Forward
French striker who became France's all-time leading goalscorer with 57 international goals, winning …
French
Olivier Giroud II
Forward
French striker and France's all-time leading goalscorer who won the 2018 World Cup and played for Ar…
French
Ousmane Dembélé
Winger
French winger known for exceptional pace, dribbling skills, and ability to play on either flank. Wor…
French
Patrice Evra
Left Back
Passionate and dynamic French left-back who became one of the Premier League's finest defenders duri…
French
Patrick Vieira
Central Midfielder
Arsenal's dominant French captain who embodied the Invincibles midfield with a combination of power,…
French
Paul Pogba
Midfielder
French midfielder known for his creativity, passing range, and physical presence. World Cup winner i…
French
Presnel Kimpembe
Centre Back
French centre-back who won the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France and has been a key defender for Paris…
French
Robert Pirès
Left Midfielder / Forward
French footballer renowned for his creativity and technical ability, key member of Arsenal's 2003-04…
French
Samir Nasri
Midfielder / Winger
French midfielder who won two Premier League titles with Manchester City and earned 41 caps for Fran…
French
Théo Hernández
Left-back
French left-back known for his attacking prowess and pace, key player for AC Milan and France nation…
French
Thierry Henry
Forward
Thierry Daniel Henry was born in Les Ulis, France in 1977 and began his professional career as a win…
French
Thierry Henry MLS
Forward
French striker widely regarded as one of the greatest Premier League players ever, Arsenal's all-tim…
French
Wendie Renard
Centre Back
French footballer and centre-back, widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in women's footb…
French
William Saliba
Centre-back
French centre-back who became one of Europe's most promising defenders, starring for Arsenal and Fra…
French
Zinedine Zidane
Attacking Midfielder
Zinedine Zidane was born in Marseille in 1972 to Algerian immigrant parents and grew up in the La Ca…