Here is a list of the top 10 French football players of all time, along with their points:
| Rank | Player | Points |
| 1 | Zinedine Zidane | 100 |
| 2 | Michel Platini | 95 |
| 3 | Thierry Henry | 90 |
| 4 | Lilian Thuram | 85 |
| 5 | Didier Deschamps | 80 |
| 6 | Patrick Vieira | 75 |
| 7 | Just Fontaine | 70 |
| 8 | Eric Cantona | 65 |
| 9 | Raymond Kopa | 60 |
| 10 | Marcel Desailly | 55 |
This list is based on a variety of factors, including individual and team achievements, individual awards, and overall impact on the game. It is important to note that this is a subjective list, and there are many other great French players who could have been included.
1. Zinedine Zidane – Top French Football Player of All Time
Zinedine Zidane is one of the most popular French football players, known for his time as a player and a coach.
In his playing career, he was an attacking midfielder. He was born in Marseille on June 23, 1972. Real Madrid, Juventus, Cannes, Bordeaux, and other teams were all stops in Zidane’s professional journey.
He achieved remarkable success, winning multiple league titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Zidane represented France, winning the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship.
He received individual honors, including FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or. After retiring, he embarked on a coaching career.
Zidane notably coached Real Madrid, securing several Champions League titles and domestic trophies. One of the best players and coaches in football history is Zidane.
2. Michel Platini
Michel Platini is a French football legend known for his midfield brilliance. Born on June 21, 1955, in Jœuf, he had an illustrious career at clubs like Nancy, Saint-Étienne, and Juventus.
Platini won numerous titles, including European Championships and individual accolades like European Footballer of the Year.
After retiring, he became a football administrator, serving as UEFA president. However, he faced a ban for ethics violations, which expired in 2020. Despite controversy, Platini remains one of the greatest midfielders in history.
3. Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry, a French football legend, is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers ever. Born in Les Ulis on August 17, 1977, he played for Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona, and New York Red Bulls among other teams.
Henry won numerous titles, including World Cup and European Championship with France, as well as league titles and cups with his club teams.
He was an exceptional goalscorer known for his technique and strength. With a remarkable career, Henry is considered a true legend of the game and one of the best strikers in history.
4. Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram, a French football legend, is renowned as one of history’s finest defenders. Born on January 1, 1972, in Pointe-à-Pitre, he had a successful career at Monaco, Parma, Juventus, and Barcelona.
Thuram won multiple titles, including the World Cup and European Championship with France, as well as domestic and European trophies with his club teams. He was a strong, intelligent defender with excellent aerial ability. Thuram is considered a true legend of the game and one of the best defenders in history.
5. Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps is a French football manager and former player. Born on October 15, 1968, in Bayonne, he played as a defensive midfielder for clubs like Nantes, Marseille, Juventus, Chelsea, and Valencia.
Deschamps had a successful career, winning multiple league titles and the UEFA Champions League. He played for France, leading the squad to victories in the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 Euro.
As a manager, he won the World Cup in 2018, making him one of the few to win as both a player and coach. Deschamps is highly regarded for his leadership and tactical acumen.
6. Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira is a French former professional footballer known for his midfield prowess. Born in Senegal in 1976, he moved to France at a young age.
Vieira played for clubs like Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan, and Manchester City, winning numerous titles, including three Premier League titles and the FIFA World Cup in 1998.
He retired in 2011 and transitioned to coaching, managing teams like New York City FC, Nice, and Crystal Palace. Vieira’s powerful presence, strength, and passing ability made him one of the greatest midfielders of all time.
7. Just Fontaine
Just Fontaine, a French professional footballer, was a renowned striker and one of the greatest goal scorers in history.
Born in 1933 in Morocco, he played for Stade Français and Reims, winning the French Ligue 1 title in 1958 and becoming the league’s top scorer with 34 goals.
Fontaine made 21 appearances for the French national team, scoring 30 goals. He played a vital role in France’s 1958 FIFA World Cup victory, setting a record with 13 goals in the tournament, which remains unmatched.
Fontaine retired in 1962 and later worked as a coach and pundit. He was inducted into the French Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
8. Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona, a French professional footballer, was a highly regarded forward and one of the greatest players of his generation.
Born in 1966 in Marseille, he played for Auxerre, Marseille, Leeds United, and Manchester United. Cantona won the French Ligue 1 title in 1989 and the Coupe de France in 1988 with Marseille.
In England, he helped Leeds United win the Premier League in 1992 and later joined Manchester United, where he won the Premier League in 1993, 1994, and 1996, as well as the FA Cup in 1994 and 1996.
Cantona had a successful international career, winning the FIFA World Cup in 1998 with France. He is recognised as one of the best football players of all time and retired in 1997.
9. Raymond Kopa
A professional footballer from France, Raymond Kopa was regarded as one of his generation’s best players (13 October 1931 – 3 March 2017).
He played as a forward and began his career at Racing Club de Lens before moving to Stade de Reims, where he won the French Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France.
In 1956, he joined Real Madrid, winning the European Cup and La Liga. Kopa returned to Stade de Reims and won more titles. Internationally, he won the FIFA World Cup in 1958. Kopa’s elegant style and skill made him a legend.
10. Marcel Desailly
Marcel Desailly (born 7 September 1968) is a retired French professional footballer, considered one of the greatest defenders of his generation.
He played as a centre-back and had an illustrious career. Desailly won titles with Nantes, Marseille, Milan, Chelsea, and Galatasaray, including multiple UEFA Champions League titles and domestic championships.
Internationally, he was a key player for France, winning the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and the UEFA European Championship in 2000. Desailly’s strong and intelligent playing style, combined with his leadership skills, earned him legendary status in the sport.
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