Eric Cantona is a former centre-forward who played for the likes of Manchester United, Marseille, and Leeds United. He was known for his brilliant goalscoring ability, physicality, and fiery nature on and off the pitch.
Cantona started his footballing career in France before moving to England in 1992, where he achieved great things, especially with Manchester United. He was also a key player for France before his retirement in 1997.
The Frenchman also acted in several movies like ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Looking for Eric’. Moreover, he also took part in the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, winning it as a player-manager of the French national team. It’s fair to say, Cantona strived for excellence in whatever he did.
Eric Cantona Information
Full Name: Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona
Profession: Professional footballer
Height: 1.87m
Weight: 88 kg
Foot: Right-footed
Playing position: Centre-forward/striker
Jersey Number: 7
Professional Debut: 1983
Date of Birth: May 24, 1966
Place of Birth: Marseille, France
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Father: Albert Cantona
Mother: Eleonore Raurich
Siblings: Jean-Marie and Joel.
Wife: Isabelle Ferrer (divorced 2003), Rachida Brakni (married since 2007)
Children: 4 (Raphael and Josephine from first marriage, Emir and Selma from second marriage)
Personal Life
Eric Cantona was born to Eleonore Raurich and Albert Cantona on May 24, 1966, in Marseille. His mother Eleonore was a Spanish dressmaker while his father was a painter of Italian origin.
He married Isabelle Ferrer in 1987 but they divorced in 2003. He then married French actor and producer Rachida Brakni in 2007. He has four children – two with Isabelle and two with Rachida.
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Early Career
Cantona began his footballing career at this local club EO Caillolais. He started off a as goalkeeper just like his father but as he and the people around him recognized his ability, he started moving up the pitch.
Auxerre
Eric Cantona joined Auxerre in 1983, making it his first professional club. He made his debut on November 5 in a 4-0 win over Nancy before carrying out national service the following year. He returned to football in 1985 and scored his first goal in a 2-0 win over Rouen.
In 1987, Cantona faced a three-month ban after a dangerous tackle on Nantes player Michel Der Zakarian but it was later reduced to two months. He helped France U21 win the U21 Euros in 1988, scoring a hat-trick against England in the quarter-finals.
He later received a one-year international ban for insulting Henri Michel, who managed France, on TV.
Marseille
Eric Cantona, who was a boyhood Marseille fan, joined the club in July 1988 for a then-French record fee of 22 million francs. However, he received a one-month ban in January after ripping off and throwing his jersey during a friendly against Torpedo Moscow.
Cantona then joined Bordeaux on a six-month loan followed by a season-long loan at Montpellier. He again faced a ban after a fight with Jean-Claude Lemoult at Montpellier.
He then returned to Marseille but after falling out with manager Raymond Goethals, he moved to Nimes. He again faced a ban after throwing the ball at a referee. He even decided to retire but returned at the persuasion of Michel Platini. He then moved to England after consulting a psychoanalyst.
Leeds United
Cantona joined initially on loan in January 1992 and after he impressed, the move was made permanent in April. He started off well at the club, helping them win the First Division title. He was much more disciplined and also influential on the pitch, scoring some crucial goals for the club.
However, he then fell out with manager Howard Wilkinson. He still played well but there were rumors of rift. It grew towards the end of his career at Leeds and after he was forced to sit out for two games, he didn’t report for training and demanded a transfer.
Manchester United
Cantona joined Manchester United in 1992 and spent five years, retiring at the club in 1997. He was brilliant for the club, becoming their talisman and a leader. He scored some crucial goals for them, winning numerous titles.
However, the Frenchman will probably be remembered for the infamous incident at Crystal Palace in 1995. Cantona was shown a red card after a poor tackle on Richard Shaw. While walking towards the tunnel, a fan showered abuse on him. He kung-fu kicked the fan and also threw in some punches.
Cantona was put in prison for two weeks and then had to do 120 hours of community service. He was also banned from football for eight months, including friendlies and fined heavily.
He finally returned in October 1995 and picked up his goalscoring form from where he had left it. He was also made the captain ahead of the 1996-97 season. At the end of the season, he announced his surprise retirement.
International Career
Eric Cantona made his debut for France in 1987 against West Germany. He was decent for Les Bleus over the years but failed to win any title with them. He was even made captain but lost the armband after the incident at Crystal Palace.
He was eventually replaced by Zinedine Zidane in the team before retiring in 1997.
Eric Cantona Stats
| Club | Year | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Auxerre | 1983-1988 | 94 | 29 | – |
| Marseille | 1988-1991 | 43 | 14 | 2 |
| Bordeaux (on loan) | 1989 | 12 | 6 | – |
| Montpellier (on loan) | 1989-1990 | 39 | 14 | – |
| Nimes | 1991-1992 | 16 | 2 | – |
| Leeds United | 1992 | 34 | 14 | 5 |
| Manchester United | 1992-1997 | 184 | 81 | 62 |
| France | 1987-1995 | 45 | 20 | 3 |
Eric Cantona’s Life After Football
The Frenchman moved into acting after quitting football. In fact, he had already worked in a French film Le bonheur est dans le pré during his ban in 1995. He later starred in English films Elizabeth, Jack Says, and more. He also worked in numerous advertisements, especially with Nike.
Cantona also joined France’s National Beach Football team. He initially became the captain and then a player-manager, leading them to the 2004 Beach Soccer Euros and 2005 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. He had a couple more successful years with the team but it dipped massively as they were even relegated in 2010. He then resigned as manager in 2011.
Eric Cantona honors
Auxerre
Copa delle Alip: 1986-87
Marseille
Division 1: 1988-89, 1990-91
Montpellier
Coupe de France: 1989-90
Leeds United
Football League First Division: 1991-92
Charity Shield: 1992
Manchester United
Premier League: 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97
FA Cup: 1993-94, 1995-96
Charity Shield: 1993, 1994, 1996
France
Kirin Cup: 1994
Beach Soccer (France)
Euro Beach Soccer League: 2004
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup: 2005
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Eric Cantona Net Worth
The Frenchman’s reported net worth is $25/£19 million (via Celebrity Net Worth) through endorsements, investments, acting career, football, and more.
By the time he retired at Manchester United in 1997, his salary was £200,000 per week, which was a huge sum back then. He’s worked with Nike many times since his retirement and also featured as Ultimate Team Icon for EA Sports’ FIFA 21 in 2020. He’s worked with some other video game producers as well.
Cantona also works with numerous charities like Emmaus, which works for homelessness & poverty, Women for Women in France, Common Goal, and more.
FAQs
Q. Did Eric Cantona win the Ballon d’Or?
A. No, he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or.
Q. Why was Cantona jailed?
A. Cantona was put in prison for two weeks after attacking a fan during Manchester United vs Crystal Palace in 1995.
Q. What is Eric Cantona known for?
A. Eric Cantona is known for brilliant footballing career and also his fiery nature and controversies throughout his career.
Q. What was Eric Cantona famous for saying?
A. After his attack on a Crystal Palace fan in 1995, Eric Cantona said in a press conference –
“When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much.”