Where does Karim Benzema rank among the best French players in history?
2. Michel Platini
The top two were the easiest to decide because there are no contestations here. Starting the discussion with the second greatest French player of all time – Michel Platini is the winner of three consecutive Ballons d’Or from 1983 through 1985. He led Les Bleus to their first-ever European Championship title in 1984 whilst scoring 9 goals in the process and was named the player of the tournament and was also the top-scorer of the tournament.
Before this success in 1984, he captained his side to a World Cup semifinals in 1982 and then again in 1986. During his prime, Platini was probably one of the best footballers to watch. His passing, shooting, and skills on the ball were the stuff dreams were made of. In 72 caps for France, Platini scored 41 times.
At the club level, Platini scored 104 goals in 223 appearances for Juventus and won 2 Serie A titles, one European Cup, one Italian Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, and one intercontinental cup besides being the top scorer in Serie A thrice in his career. He has continued serving football post his retirement and was the President of UEFA from 2007 to 2015.
1. Zinedine Zidane
There was never any doubt in my mind for number 1 when I sat down to compile this list. The bald midfielder who played and also managed Real Madrid to numerous Champions League titles is the best French player history would ever witness. Zinedine Zidane is of the finest breed of footballers there is and I am sure there would be no reactions to him being placed as the winner of this list.
Class personified, Zidane is one of the finest play-makers to have graced the game. The hero of La Novena, Real Madrid’s ninth Champions League title, the winner of the World Cup in 1998, and the European Championship in 2000. Zidane has probably won it all during his time with Real Madrid and Juventus.
He also won the coveted Ballon d’Or in 1998 for his exploits in the World Cup and with Juventus. This was when Real Madrid zeroed in on bringing this fine talent to the Bernabeu and he’d forever be the greatest number 5 there ever was in Los Blancos’ history.
Next. Real Madrid's 5 Most Valuable Players Of The Last Decade. dark
To talk of Zidane’s exploits for France would require just so many words but to highlight a few key moments, he made his presence in the side felt during Cantona’s lengthy ban from international football. He scored twice in the 1998 World Cup Final. He is only the fourth player to score in two different world cup finals and his head butt on Marco Materazzi is probably the most iconic a moment can get in French football. He’s undoubtedly the best French footballer ever.