Ranking top 10 best French footballers of all-time

France have a special place in football as the nation has produced some of the finest footballers throughout the history of the game. From Mitchell Platini to Zinedine Zidane, from Didier Deschamps to Kylian Mbappe, all these best French footballers have been instrumental in different eras to solidify the presence of their nation in the game.

These players have left or are continuing to leave significant marks on football with their graceful skills, vision of play and great personality. France has been blessed with a vast array of talent in its footballing history and a lot of iconic players have embraced their talent to become some of the iconic figures in French football. Without much ado, let’s rank the top 10 best French footballers ever.

List of best French footballers of all time

10. Eric Cantona

Eric Cantona’s inclusion on this list might be controversial, given his struggles with the French national team at the International level, but there is no denying that the former Manchester United player was a superstar of the game. The mercurial figure proved to be a big game player on several occasions throughout his career. Cantona, with the help of his physicality, powerful shooting skill and incredible vision changed the dynamic of Manchester United and English football. Titles followed him wherever he went. 

9. N’Golo Kante

The darling player of French football, N’Golo Kante enjoyed a meteoric rise since he burst onto the scene in Ligue 2. From FIFA World Cup to UEFA Champions League, the talented midfielder has won it all. How good Kante is and why he has proven to be one of the best French footballers of all-time, can be described by his exceptional performance against Manchester City in the 2022 UCL final. “He is never tired,” goes this chant with the former Chelsea icon.

Didier Deschamps has been using him as a pillar in the midfield for the last few years, and Kante has never failed to deliver. Currently, the highly talented midfielder, who is said to be the replacement for Claude Makelele in Les Blues set up, is playing in Saudi Arabia.

8. Didier Deschamps

Didier Deschamps is widely known for his coaching success, but his playing career was definitely far more influential. He was probably the greatest on-field leader in French football history. Behind France’s 1998 World Cup glory, Deschamps’ indelible skills and attacking prowess played a major role. The “hardworking boy” in the national team had a knack to win every elite trophy at the club level too. He became the youngest captain to lead Marseille to the Champions League title before securing the same achievement with Juventus. 

7. Lilian Thuram

Lilian Thuram was an immovable force in the French football backline during his time. He was a cog in the wheel for the teams he had represented in his illustrious career. With a perfect blend of defensive mentality and aggressive nature, Thuram touched the highest level of performance during the glorious 2006 World Cup campaign.

He was also a standout figure at clubs such as Barcelona and Juventus. The most notable period in his club career was his stint with Parma in the late 1990s. Despite being one of the popular characters in football, Lilian Thuram failed to win a Champions League title. But, his legacy excelled beyond the weightage of titles. 

6. Marvel Desailly

The sixth ranked footballer who makes it to the list of the best French football players of all-time is Marcel Desailly. The coveted defender was a rock at defense and went on to win two Champions League titles in two different leagues, with Marseille and AC Milan respectively. Having won more than 100 international caps, the versatile center-back, who was also useful as a defensive midfielder, became World Cup and Euro champions. Later, Desailly led Chelsea to an FA Cup title before hanging up his boots. 

5. Patrick Vieira

In football, it is difficult for central-midfielders to get recognition. But, Patrick Vieira broke that tradition and earned an unwavering support from the football fans with his magnificent displays. An integral part of the French team during their 1998 World Cup victory and the 2000 Euro Championship, Vieira climbed up the league of the legendary footballers with the help of a trophy-laden journey. He was the engine in the middle for the Arsenal side that wrote a glorious chapter under the keen watch of Arsene Wenger. The French superstar is one of the very best to have ever graced the Premier League. 

4. Kylian Mbappe

A shining light in the French armor, Kylian Mbappe is well on course to become one of the greatest players in his country’s history. The 25-year-old striker announced his arrival at AS Monaco before establishing himself as one of the greatest modern day forwards at Paris Saint-Germain. After winning a string of domestic league titles with the help of tons of goals, Mbappe has now moved to Real Madrid. 

He has also reigned supreme on multiple occasions at the international level. At the age of 18, Mbappe won a FIFA World Cup in 2018 and was also a scorer in the final. In the 2022 Qatar World Cup, France fell down to Argentina on penalties, but he became the second footballer in history to score a hat-trick in the final showdown. With 46 goals to his name, Mbappe has already been the third-highest goal scorer in French history.

3. Michel Platini

Michel Platini is our number three pick regarding the best footballers in French history. Despite possessing a unique record of winning three consecutive Ballon d’Ors, the iconic French international failed to become a World champion with his nation. And, that is the only reason why he is not into our top two. Platini represented his nation 72 times, while registering 41 goals and 22 assists in the process.

He led France to the 1984 Euro Championship trophy, the country’s first-ever major international title, where he played like a hero sent by the god himself. Elegance, presence of mind and hunger for scoring brought a bunch of silverwares for Platini. The Juventus legend won all major domestic trophies in Italy and France.  

2. Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry was probably the most lethal striker in the history of both France and the Premier League. Electric pace, ability to read the game and exquisite shooting skills made him the greatest forward of his generation.

He enjoyed a title-laden career with Arsenal and Barcelona, having won all major club trophies on earth. In 123 international appearances for France, Henry netted 51 goals and assisted 30 times, while winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2000 European Championship.

1. Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane is a folkloric figure in the beautiful game of football. The elegant French midfielder won over the fans with his exquisite dribbling skills, beautiful dribbling and control on the ball. Zindane’s two major international trophies with France – World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000 came when he was at the peak of his career.

He scored a brace in the World Cup final and was pronounced the player of the tournament. With over 100 international caps, the mercurial midfielder ended his career with 31 goals and 31 assists to his name. The 1998 Ballon d’Or winner savored an immensely successful club career with the likes of Cannes, Juventus and Real Madrid. They don’t make a legend like him anymore.