A ranked list of 10 of the most famous French footballers

French footballers have taken up numerous top positions and excelled in different leagues worldwide. These current and retired players rose to fame for their impressive skills, earning prestigious awards and recognition. Check out a comprehensive list of the top 10 most famous French players.

Who is the best French footballer? These individuals' exceptional talents set them apart from their colleagues, and they won their teams' national and international championships. Here is a ranked list of the most famous French footballers, according to online sites like Four Four Two.

Top 10 famous French footballers

Several French footballers have represented their national team at different levels, flying their country's flag high. Football is an integral part of the country's culture, so several players on the international scene are French. Here is a ranked list of the 10 most famous French footballers:

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10. Lilian Thuram

• Full name: Ruddy Lilian Thuram-Ulien
• Date of birth: January 1st, 1972
• Age: 52 years old (As of 2024)
• Position: Defender

Lilian is a retired player and one of the best French footballers ever. His professional debut was in 1991 with Monaco. He later joined Parma (1996-2001), Juventus (2001-2006) and Barcelona (2006-2008), and the French national team from 1994 to 2008.

Thuram retired in 2008 after scoring 13 career goals. He won the 1998 FFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2000. The player also won the Serie A title with Juventus in 2002 and 2003. The 1997 Player of the Year also won the Onze de Onze award eight times ( 1996-2001, 2003, 2006).

9. N'Golo Kante

• Full name: N'Golo Kanté
• Date of birth: March 29th, 1991
• Age: 29 years old (As of 2024)
• Position: Midfielder

29-year-old N'Golo Kante is among the famous French players rated as one of the best midfielders of all time. He joined the Saudi Arabian League club, Al-Ittihad, in June 2023 and previously played for clubs like Leicester City (2015-2016) and Chelsea (2016-2023).

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Kante started playing for the French national team in 2016. He has attained several accolades, including the 2018 FA Cup with Chelsea and the FIFA Club World Cup (2021). In 2021, he was named the UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season.

8. Christopher Nkunku

• Full name: Christopher Alan Nkunku
• Date of birth: November 14th, 1997
• Age: 26 years old (As of 2024)
• Position: Attacking midfielder, forward

Christopher Nkunku was born in Lagny-sur-Marne, France, and is an alumnus of the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)Football Academy. He made his professional debut in December 2018 during a match against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League.

Nkunku played for RB Leipzig from 2019 to 2023 before joining Chelsea. He was named the Bundesliga Player of the Season in the 2021/2022 season and was the league's top scorer in 2023/2024. Christopher has been a member of his country's national team since 2012.

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7. Patrick Vieira

• Full name: Patrick Paul Vieira
• Date of birth: June 23rd, 1976
• Age: 47 years old (As of 2024)
• Position: Midfielder

Patrick Vieira is among the greatest French footballers of all time. He played with teams like Arsenal, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Manchester City. Vieira was Arsenal's team captain from 2002 to 2005. He also played for the French national team from 1995 to 2009.

The 47-year-old won three Premier League Cups (1998, 2002, 2004), four FA Cups with Arsenal, and one with Manchester City in 2011. He transitioned to football management in 2013 and has worked with teams like New York City FC and Crystal Palace.

6. Zinedine Zidane

• Full name: Zinedine Yazid Zidane
• Date of birth: June 23rd, 1972
• Age: 51 years old (As of 2024)
• Position: Midfielder

Zinedine Zidane is undoubtedly one of the great French footballers whose legacy lives on years after his playing career. He spent his early years with French clubs Cannes and Bordeaux and rose to become one of the best French players in Ligue 2.

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Zidane played for Juventus and Real Madrid before retiring in 2006. He also played for his national team from 1987 to 2006. Zizou, as he is popularly known, was named the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000, and 2003 and won the Ballon d'Or in 1998.

5. Claude Makélélé

• Full name: Claude Makélélé Sinda
• Date of birth: February 18th, 1973
• Age: 51 years old (As of 2024)
• Position: Defensive midfielder

Makélélé is one of the most famous French footballers who single-handedly redefined the defensive midfielder position in English football. Football experts sometimes refer to the position as the 'Makélélé Role,' affirming his influence.

Claude spent his career with Real Madrid, Chelsea, and PSG. He won the La Liga Championship in 2001 and 2003 and the Premier League in 2005 and 2006. Makélélé represented his country from 1993 to 2008.

4. Oliver Giroud

• Full name: Olivier Jonathan Giroud
• Date of birth: September 30th, 1986
• Age: 36 years old (As of 2024)
• Position: Striker

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Oliver is among the current French footballers whose fame has risen significantly since his professional debut in 2005. The striker is France's all-time highest goal scorer as of April 2024, boasting over 260 career goals. He has played for clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and AC Milan.

Giroud started playing for France in 2011. He won the Serie A title in 2022 with AC Milan and the UEFA Nations League in 2021. The talented player was Ligue 1's top scorer in the 2011/12 season and UEFA Europa League's top scorer in 2018/19.

3. Karim Benzema

• Full name: Karim Mostafa Benzema
• Date of birth: December 19th, 1987
• Age: 36 years old (As of 2024)
• Position: Striker

Benzema is a striker for Al-Ittihad, which he joined in June 2023. Previously, he played for Real Madrid (2009-2023) and is the club's all-time second-highest goal scorer and top assist provider. Karim won 24 trophies with Madrid during his 14-year tenure.

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Karim joined the French national team in 2004. The French footballer was named Ligue 1's Player of the Year in 2008. In 2021, he won the UEFA Player of the Year Award and the 2022 Ballon d'Or, becoming the fifth player to win it. The striker also won the UEFA Nations League Finals Bronze Boot in 2021.

2. Kylian Mbappe

• Full name: Kylian Mbappé Lottin
• Date of birth: December 20th, 1998
• Age: 25 years old (As of 2024)
• Position: Forward

Mbappe is one of the top 10 French footballers as of April 2024. He plays for PSG, which he joined in 2018 after playing with the club on loan for one year. The athlete also captains the French national team, which he started representing in 2014. In 201, he became the youngest French player to score at a World Cup.

Kylian's professional debut was in 2015 with Monaco. He is PSG's all-time top goal scorer and second in assists. He is the seventh-highest goal scorer in Ligue 1 history. Mbappe led the team to its first UEFA Champions League final in 2020.

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1. Thierry Henry

• Full name: Thierry Daniel Henry
• Date of birth: August 17th, 1977
• Age: 46 years old (As of 2024)
• Position: Striker

Thierry Henry is a retired player who currently manages the France national under-21 and under-23 football teams. He is regarded as one of the best strikers of all time. He played with clubs like Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona, and the New York Red Bulls.

In 2008, Arsenal fans voted Henry as the club's best player ever. He was named the FWA (Football Writers Association) Player of the Year thrice (2003, 2004, 2006). Thierry is the only French player to win the European Golden Shoe (2004, 2005).

Who is the most famous female French footballer?

Female footballers have gained popularity over the last few decades. According to online sources, Wendie Renard is the most popular female French footballer and among the most decorated. She serves as the team captain for Lyon and the national team.

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As of April 2024, the 33-year-old has won 14 French league titles and 8 European Cups. She made her national debut in 2011 and has only played with one professional club.

Frequently asked questions

Professional players of French origin are popular in top-tier leagues like the Champions League. Here are some frequently asked questions about these players:

Who is the best French footballer of all time?

Selecting one player might be challenging because the top players have earned their positions over the years thanks to their unique skills and talents. However, Thierry Henry, Kylian Mbappe, and Karim Benzema are the top three players.

Which team does Karim Benzema play for?

36-year-old Karim Benzema is a striker for Al-Ittihad, which he joined in June 2023. Previously, he played for Real Madrid for 14 years.

Final word

Some of the top French footballers are 2018 FIFA World Cup winners and boast numerous individual awards. Football fans will eagerly wait to see the fast-rising talent from the country.

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READ ALSO: All about Didier Deschamps, the former French head coach

Sports Brief published an article featuring Didier Deschamps, a former French player and manager of the French national team. He is one of only two men to win the FIFA World Cup as captain and coach. What do you need to know about Didier?

Deschamps was born in October 1968 in Bayonne, France. As a player, he won several titles, including three Serie A championships, two Italian Supercups, and an Intercontinental Cup in 1996. Check out his full biography by clicking on the link above.