Round ball enthusiasts regularly debate on the podium or the top 10 of the best players in the history of a club, a selection or a country (yes, it's different). Historian of the French team, Bruno Colombari ranked the 20 best players in the Blues on his site Blue chronicles By taking into account four criteria: the impact of the player on tricolor history, the prize list of the person concerned, his unique character and the global image he released during his career.
In this ranking which does not include the active players (Exit therefore Kylian Mbappé), we find the best players in the 3rd place at the 1958 World Cup, the legends of the team of Michel Platini Double semi-finalist of the World Cup and winner of Euro 84, the World Champions 98 and European Champions 2000 led by Zinédine Zidane, as well as the essential elements of Didier Deschamps at the 2018 World Cup.
Unsurprisingly, “Zizou” and “Platoche” are the two best players in the history of the Blues and the ranking of Blue chronicles Put Platini in mind! The triple golden ball is not world champion and has never reached the final, but he always worn the Blues during his visit, with fewer cracks by his side, to offer the first title to the selection. He is ahead of two world champions which went to a shooting session to the goal of a second coronation: Zidane therefore and Antoine Griezmann!
For Bruno Colombari, “Grizi” is in front of Raymond Kopa, the Ballon d'Or 1958. Thierry Henry is only 5th in this ranking. He is the prodigy of France 98, by making a crazy euro, of course, but the rest of his career is less brilliant, especially in comparison with his XXL seasons with Arsenal in the Premier League. Its end of the course is even catastrophic with the hand against Ireland for qualification for the 2010 World Cup then the mutiny of Knysna during the tournament in South Africa.
What bruises in the top 10?
We then find Alain Giresse in 6th place, him the magnificent companion of Platini (but who won late in selection), then Just Fontaine, author of 13 goals during the 1958 World Cup. Fabien Barthez, the “Divine Balus” of the Blues of Aimé Jacquet and Roger Lemerre, took 8th place in front of his Captain Didier Deschamps. To close the top 10: Maxime Bossis, central defender of the squad led by “Platoche”.
From 11th to 20th place? Hugo Lloris, Lilian Thuram, Jean-Pierre Papin, Olivier Giroud, Marius Trésor, Roger Piantoni, Marcel Desailly, David Trezeguet and Raphaël Varane and Etienne Mattler (who played the 1930s, 1934 and 1938). Karim Benzema, Eric Cantona, Franck Ribéry or Paul Pogba, despite their talent, have not sufficiently marked the history of the French team.
Zinedine Zidane during her double in the final against Brazil.
