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Emily Arlott took four wickets in an over including a hat-trick as Central Sparks thrashed defending champions Southern Vipers by 120 runs at Hove to maintain their 100% record in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.The 23-year-old Worcestershire seamer trapped Maia Bouchier (1) on the crease with the first ball of her fourth over before claiming her hat-trick with the fourth, fifth and sixth deliveries. Georgia Elwiss (0) was also leg before, Charlie Dean superbly caught by the diving Amy Jones behind the stumps and Ella McCaughan bowled through the gate as she finished with 5 for 29.Arlott, watched by England head coach Lisa Keightley, could have had a sixth wicket had Gwen Davies not dropped Danni Wyatt when she was on 4. The England international went on to make 61, her third successive half-century, but Vipers were dismissed for 104 in 27.5 overs and suffered their first defeat of the season.It was a bad day for the hosts who dropped four catches and donated 34 extras including 29 wides. Sarah Glenn scored 11 off one ball from Tara Norris, hitting a no ball for four and the subsequent free hit for six in her 40 off 37 balls, which helped Sparks to a total of 224 from 49.2 overs.Vipers seemed to have control in the 18th over when Amy Jones, who had scored 114 and 163 not out in her previous two games, lost her off stump to Dean’s off break for 5 and Sparks were 57 for 3, but skipper Eve Jones and Gwen Davies put on 71 in 16 overs with Jones hitting eight fours before she was run out for 55 by McCaughan’s direct hit from backward point.Davies was sixth out for 45 but Sparks scored 67 off the last ten overs thanks to some clean hitting by Glenn. On a slow pitch, off-spinner Charlotte Taylor took 3 for 22 from her ten overs while Dean had 3 for 37.Vipers would have fancied their chances of chasing 225 but Wong and Arlott offered control and got the bounce and carry which had eluded Vipers’ seam attack. Wyatt hit eight fours and doubled the score in an eighth-wicket stand of 52 with Carla Rudd (10) before Arlott returned in the 26th over to have Rudd leg before and Wong finished things off with two wickets, including Wyatt who was bowled through the gate.”I was so engrossed in the game that it wasn’t until we were in the huddle afterwards that the other girls told me I’d taken a hat-trick,” Arlott said. “I took one when I was 13 in a club game in Worcestershire so it’s a really special feeling.”We didn’t expect the pitch to offer the bounce and carry we got but Issy [Wong] and I know each other’s games so well and if one of us is bowling well the other looks to contain. Whenever we get wickets we do so as a partnership but I was pleased that she finished with three as well.”

Dimuth Karunaratne’s maiden double-century and an unbeaten 154 by Dhananjaya de Silva enabled Sri Lanka to come closer to Bangladesh first-innings tally of 541 for 7. The wicketless day finished 53 minutes before the scheduled end, hastened by the second of two bad light-induced stoppages, the first one having lasted 33 minutes. During the 76 overs completed in the fourth day, Karunaratne and de Silva batted gleefully against a bowling attack that could do little on a regressive pitch.Sri Lankan captain Karunaratne spent in the field all of the 24 hours of play that have been possible across the first four days. He fielded for 13 hours of those and then opened the batting for Sri Lanka, so far lasting 11 hours and three minutes.Karunaratne reached his maiden double-hundred after the first stoppage, edging Taskin Ahmed for a four, his feat also the first double-century in Pallekele and the first double-hundred by a Sri Lankan batter at home in seven years. His previous highest score was 196 against Pakistan in Dubai in 2017. Throughout his innings, he pierced the covers at will, but got 12 of his 25 fours through the on-side. He also ran well between the wickets, picking up plenty of twos and threes in humid conditions.By the end of the fourth day, Karunaratne and de Silva had added 322 runs, the highest for the fourth wicket in Sri Lanka, beating the 258 between Michael Hussey and Shaun Marsh from 2011. They added 283 runs at 3.72 per over, with de Silva being the aggressor with his 20 fours in his 278-ball stay.He punished anything pitched wide outside the off stump, carting five fours through point, and plundered plenty of runs by just gliding the ball behind the slips or past fine-leg. de Silva also brought out the straight hits twice.Karunaratne and de Silva added 102 in 31 overs in the first session, during which Karunaratne reached 100 runs off 247 balls. He took a bit of time in the nineties, spending 30 balls, but once he had reached the three-figure mark, he took on the Bangladesh bowlers more comfortably.It allowed de Silva to bat more attackingly, as he built a relatively more proactive innings around Karunaratne’s steadiness. The pair hardly gave any chances although Liton Das failed to grab a thick edge off Karunaratne, when he was on 166, off Taijul Islam. Bangladesh didn’t have any further chances on the day. They didn’t bowl well in pairs, nor could any one bowler come up with a fine spell by himself. Captain Mominul Haque relied mostly on his spinners, who couldn’t replicate the chances they created on the third day.Bangladesh’s bowlers found it hard in the first session, but they disintegrated mostly in the 10 overs after the lunch break. Karunaratne and de Silva smashed 61 runs in that period, picking up eight fours.

Debut century and keeper’s highest score put Sri Lanka in control of first Test in Antigua

Madushka Balasuriya24-Mar-2021 Pathum Nissanka’s century on debut – the fourth Sri Lankan to achieve the feat, the first since Thilan Samaraweera in 2001, and the first to do so overseas – and an equally vital 96 from Niroshan Dickwella, crowned a dominant day for Sri Lanka, in which they seized command of the first Test, and put themselves in prime position to secure a first win in the format in over a year.The pair’s 179-run stand for the sixth wicket, compiled over two sessions, helped set the West Indies a 375-run target, 34 of which the hosts had knocked off by stumps for the loss of just John Campbell. Kraigg Brathwaite and Nkrumah Bonner were at the crease on 8 and 15 respectively.The day though belonged unequivocally to Nissanka, whose low-risk, high-impact innings, together with an unusually measured effort from Dickwella, had taken Sri Lanka from a precarious position at the start of the day – following Alzari Joseph’s early removal of Dhananjaya de Silva – to one of complete control.That eventuality though would hardly have been at the forefront of the pair’s minds when they came together in the first over of the morning, with Sri Lanka’s lead still a fledgling 157. As the last two recognised batsmen, they would have known any misstep by either would expose a very long tail – the swiftness with which the innings folded following Nissanka’s dismissal more than justifying those concerns.But if patience and application was the need of the hour, the duo produced that in spades. Nissanka’s 103 came off 252 deliveries, more or less encapsulating the safety-first approach he had woven into the very fabric of his innings; in fact, less than a fifth of his runs came in boundaries, while West Indies must be sick of the sight of his unwavering forward defence.Indeed, rarely has a Test century contained such few noteworthy moments – though this is by no means a criticism. Sure, there was a fairly dismissive pull off Kyle Mayers, and then, earlier, a lovely punch through the covers off Kemar Roach, but for the most part this was an innings of dabs, prods, glides and drives (though none that reached the fence) – and crucially, almost no risk.But after a first-innings capitulation that had seen many of Sri Lanka’s batsman fall, as much down to a lack of application as it was to probing lines employed by the West Indian bowlers, Nissanka’s innings was a refreshing change of pace.At 22 years of age, and in foreign conditions, there is hardly likely to have been a more pleasing sight to Mickey Arthur and Grant Flower than the solidity showcased during his knock. In a way it was fitting that when he eventually did fall, it was on his own terms, going for a slog sweep in an attempt to up the scoring rate.Arguably even more pleasing to the Lankan coaches might have been Dickwella’s innings. While his dismissal four runs short of maiden Test century will have undoubtedly been a mood-killer, the maturity and control up until then was definitely a side many thought they might never see of the man.Now obviously his innings was not one without peril (what Dickwella innings is?) – he was dropped at gully, chopped the ball back onto his stumps without the bails being dislodged, and also survived a caught-behind appeal after West Indies had burned their reviews – but for the most part it was restrained.He would only truly free his arms once the lead had ballooned beyond 300, though his innings was cut short before he could to do too much more damage, edging a slower ball from Roach back onto his stumps. By that point though it was already likely too late.But the fact that the final five Sri Lankan wickets fell for just 38 runs will certainly leave the hosts wondering what might have been had a few pivotal moments gone their way. There’s also bound to be introspection surrounding the wisdom of some of their reviews – their last in particular, after Nissanka had got a clear edge on an lbw call, the most poorly conceived, and ultimately serving to reprieve Dickwella.If any of those had gone the way of the hosts, we would likely be looking at a very different equation, but as it stands staving off defeat on the final day will be West Indies’ primary concern.

Nottingham Forest are on the hunt for fresh faces and have registered their interest with one ace over a potential move to the City Ground ahead of the new Premier League season.

Nottingham Forest preparing for Nuno's first full season

Hit with a points deduction for breaching the Premier League's financial fair play regulations last season, Nuno Espirito Santo's side only mathematically dodged relegation from the top flight on the final day of the season.

They will be looking for a far more comfortable campaign this time around, and have already made several new signings in a bid to ensure that they avoid the drop once more next May.

The Garibaldi have broken their transfer record to sign young talent Elliot Anderson from Newcastle United, paying £35m to take the Englishman from Tyneside to the City Ground. They have also added Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic to their backline in a £12m deal, with the Serbian having previously attracted attention from Premier League rivals Manchester United and West Ham.

Nottingham Forest's new signings
Player	Fee
Elliot Anderson	£35m
Nikola Milenkovic	£12m
Marko Stamenic	£4.6m
Carlos Miguel	£3.3m
Eric da Silva Moreira	£1m

But attacking additions remain needed, with 32-year-old Chris Wood possibly unable to replicate his extraordinary season and Taiwo Awoniyi seeing injuries hamper his significant potential at the City Ground. The club's 49 goals across 2023/24 was the fourth fewest in the division, and played a large part in their relegation fight. Now though, they may have found a solution.

Nottingham Forest chasing free striker

That comes in the shape of free agent Kelechi Iheanacho, who is free to choose his next club after his £80,000 per week with newly promoted side Leicester City came to an end at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Once considered one of the brightest talents around Europe, Iheanacho spent several seasons as Manchester City's backup to Sergio Aguero and was even tipped to replace the Argentine in the long run.

European club want £30m Nottingham Forest star as talks scheduled

Another of Forest’s players could be on the move this summer.

1

By
Tom Coates

Jul 23, 2024

City boss Pep Guardiola didn't hold back in his praise of the Nigerian striker either, dubbing his former protegee "incredible" ahead of a reunion during his time at Leicester City.

"Incredible," Guardiola explained when quizzed on his former striker's recent performances. "The quality was there, he was a young player here and I believe in that moment with Gabriel and Sergio we didn't have much space. He is a fantastic person, we had a good relationship, and I'm delighted it's going well lately."

Now, Football Insider report that Forest are one of two Premier League sides pushing to sign Iheanacho, with newly promoted Ipswich Town also in the hunt for the 27-year-old, who also has an offer on the table in Turkey.

They claim that the pair are "hopeful of convincing him to stay in England" and that both "are now set to make formal contract proposals to the striker" in a bid to convince him to choose them after registering their interest, and by extension, making contact.

Often overlooked by Enzo Maresca last season, Iheanacho managed just five goals in 23 appearances for the Foxes, but would bring plenty of Premier League pedigree, having found the net on 42 occasions in the top flight. As a squad player, he could be an excellent pickup for the Reds.

He saw bone through the skin of his little finger in the first innings, but has picked up 3 for 12 in the second so far

Firdose Moonda06-Feb-2021George Linde thought his season was over when he saw bone through the skin of his little finger while fielding in his follow through in Pakistan’s first innings during the second Test.It was his third over, and the 23rd of the match, when Babar Azam drove the ball straight back to Linde, who reached out to stop it as it clipped his left hand and rolled away. With spots of blood visible on his whites, Linde immediately left the field, fearing the worst.”I started running off when I saw bone sticking out and I just popped it in myself,” he said, without flinching. “I went for X-rays and for some reason my finger wasn’t broken. I was quite happy with that.”Not just happy, but hopeful that he would still be able to play a part in the Test.On the same day, with his finger stitched and a dressing wrapped around it, Linde was seen practising and trying to adjust his grip. The next day he returned to bowl two overs. The day after that, he made a run-a-ball 21 and bowled another nine, in which he took three wickets for 12 runs to keep South Africa in the game. He admitted he was in some pain. but not enough to keep him out of the game.”I always say you never know when you will get another opportunity to play for your country. It’s not going to get me down, because it’s just pain. There are people who are sick at home, people who are losing their jobs, people who are dying from Covid or other diseases or something. My injury is nothing compared to that,” he said. “Yes, I’m in pain, but I’m fighting it because I’m playing for my country. I’m not going to stand back for anything just because my finger hurts a little. It hurts for ten minutes, then you get an injection and then you go on.”

“There are people who are sick at home, people who are losing their jobs, people who are dying from Covid or other diseases or something. My injury is nothing compared to that.”GEORGE LINDE

Linde is playing in just his third Test match, 15 months after making his debut in India and, with all his appearances coming in the subcontinent, is justified in wondering when his next cap might come. Not only do South Africa have no more Tests scheduled this summer but the state of the FTP means their next trip to Asia is uncertain, and even home fixtures are not confirmed. When they are, Linde’s place isn’t, because South Africa tend to play one specialist spinner at home and Keshav Maharaj is their first-choice.That means Linde has to make the most of the chances he’s been given, even if that means changing things about the the way he bowls. In this match, he has to remember a little something extra every time he prepares to deliver a ball. “I had to make a small adjustment with the grip. I didn’t even know I use my pinkie (little finger) when I bowl. It’s weird because every time I bowl, I have to first lift it up a little bit to get a better grip,” he said.So far, so good, with Linde appearing in full control in the second innings. He accounted for the wickets of Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam and Faheem Ashraf, who he could have dismissed for a duck had Dean Elgar held on to a catch at slip.South Africa put down three catches in total and allowed the Pakistan lead to swell to 200, but Linde doesn’t think the match has got away from them yet. “It’s quite difficult to get wickets here, especially against a good opposition. We bowled well and were maybe a bit unlucky with a couple of dropped catches,” he said. “But we are hungry to win this Test match. I’m pretty confident the batsmen will take us over the line in the next innings.”Asked what he thinks is chaseable on a pitch with variable bounce and where reverse swing could come into play, Linde was bullish and believes South Africa could still have another hundred runs to play with. “Anything under 300, we will take. Hopefully it will be 250, or 220 or 230. I think realistically under 270 or around 300,”he said. “I am pretty confident we will chase down.”

The allrounder has been a regular advocate of Sri Lanka having its own T20 league

Andrew Fidel Fernando13-Dec-2020

Dasun Shanaka muscles one away•LPL

However the knockouts turn out, the Lanka Premier League must continue in future years, to help ensure the health of Sri Lankan cricket. The above is what Dambulla Viiking captain Dasun Shanaka had to say on the eve of his team’s semi-final against Jaffna Stallions.Shanaka has been a long-time supporter of starting up Sri Lanka’s own T20 league, having publicly requested one during a tour of Pakistan last year. He felt this edition of LPL was not without its flaws; he would have preferred an IPL-style playoff system, rather than the more traditional semi-finals. But he said the league had helped not only highlight talent, but also bridge the large gap between domestic and international cricket for many players.”This tournament is vital to our cricket future,” Shanaka said. “We are getting a look at cricketers that we otherwise wouldn’t now. What was happening is that we were judging players from their international performances, but we were putting inexperienced players into international cricket. But once they play a tournament like this, they know what to expect at international level. That’s the most important thing we can get from future editions of this tournament as well.”Shanaka’s batting has been among Viiking’s greatest assets during the tournament, with him sitting third on the run-scorers’ list, a tournament tally of 273 and a strike rate of 164 to his name. He has taken four wickets with the ball as well. Even this kind of performance doesn’t guarantee him a spot in Sri Lanka’s T20 XI, though, as there are at least three other seam-bowling allrounders contending for places – Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana and Angelo Mathews. Of those, Thisara has had a good tournament with the bat, and Udana has had his moments as well. For Shanaka, this is exactly the kind of competition for places the LPL should create.”There should be pressure on spots in the Sri Lankan team. That Angelo is bowling again is a big bonus for our national team. That competition for spots should be there for us to do well in international cricket. I want to be in the national team, but let’s see what the future is like. Maybe I will get more opportunities, and I’m hoping I’ll do well.”On Monday’s semi-final in particular, Shanaka felt neutralising the opposition’s best player would be key to Viiking’s batting performance. Stallions’ legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga is the league stage’s most-successful bowler, with 13 wickets and an outstanding economy rate of 5.48 across his 29 tournament overs. Some teams have attempted to hit him out of the attack, but largely failed. Viiking will go in another direction, Shanaka said.”Wanindu is Sri Lanka’s No. 1 spinner and he’s bowling really well at the moment. If we can just get 24 runs off his 24 balls without giving him any wickets, we can score off the other bowlers and balance it out. His strength is that he gets wickets, and gets two or three really quickly. When that happens our run rate decreases. So we have to work out how to play him without giving him wickets.”

The football legacy of France is one of brilliance, inventiveness, and success. Those special French players who have transformed into World Cup heroes and Ballon d'Or winners have personified the spirit of French football.

It's safe to say that this France team certainly knows how to win, which is backed up by the fact that they've won two World Cups and two European Championships.

With that, here is the list of who we believe are the ten greatest French footballers, based on their overall impact at either club or international level during their careers…

Rank	Player	Career span
1	Zinedine Zidane	1989-2006
2	Thierry Henry	1994-2012
3	Michel Platini	1972-1988
4	Raymond Kopa	1949-1967
5	Patrick Vieira	1993-2011
6	Just Fontaine	1950-1960
7	Lilian Thuram	1991-2008
8	Olivier Giroud	2005-present
9	Kylian Mbappé	2015-present
10	Marcel Desailly	1986-2006

All stats correct as of 14th June 2024.

Euro 2024 Group D: Teams, players, fixtures and venues

Football FanCast takes a look at Poland, Netherlands, Austria and France ahead of Euro 2024.

By
Charlie Smith

Jun 10, 2024

10

Marcel Desailly

1986-2006

Marcel Desailly is well-known for his strength, agility and strength on the pitch. The Frenchman's career is distinguished by notable accomplishments and contributions to some of Europe's finest clubs as well as the French national team.

The defender won two Champions Leagues in 1993 and 1994, becoming one of just four players to win back-to-back European Cups with different teams. He also won Serie A titles while at Milan and also won the FA Cup in 2000 with Chelsea.

He was also a key member of the French national team, winning 116 caps and contributing significantly to the country's triumphs at Euro 2000 and the 1998 World Cup.

International caps	116
International goals	3
Clubs played for	Nantes, Marseille, Milan, Chelsea, Al-Gharafa, Qatar SC
France honours	1998 World Cup, Euro 2000

9

Kylian Mbappé

2015-present

Some of you may feel that Kylian Mbappé deserves to be higher up this list, but let's not forget that he's just 25 years of age with a large part of his career still ahead of him.

The Frenchman already has an outstanding record on the international stage, with 47 goals to his name in just 79 appearances. And he's even more lethal at club level for Paris Saint-Germain, having bagged 256 goals in 308 games. Who knows how many he'll bag for Real Madrid next season and beyond…

His achievements at such a young age are astounding. He's already got a World Cup and UEFA Nations League medal to his name internationally, as well as 14 domestic trophies. That's not including the seven Player of the Season awards he's received in France.

International caps	79
International goals	47
Clubs played for	Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain
France honours	2018 World Cup, 2021 Nations League

8

Olivier Giroud

2005-present

Olivier Giroud is a name that many may not have expected to be on this list, but that's simply because he's massively underrated.

The 37-year-old is France's record goalscorer with 57, which is a sensational achievement when you think of all the greats to have pulled on the blue jersey. He helped Les Bleus lift the World Cup in 2018 and the UEFA Nations League in 2021, and even grabbed four goals in the most recent World Cup.

At club level, he managed to lift the Champions League back in the 2020/21 season with Chelsea. His career tally sits at 283 goals and 101 assists in 708 games, which includes stints at current club AC Milan and Arsenal.

International caps	133
International goals	57
Clubs played for	Grenoble, Istres, Tours, Montpellier, Arsenal, Chelsea, Milan
France honours	2018 World Cup, 2021 Nations League

France's top international goalscorers of all time

France have had some wonderful players over the years – here are the very best goalscorers for Les Bleus…

By
Stephan Georgiou

Mar 16, 2024

7

Lilian Thuram

1991-2008

Lilian Thuram is recognised by many as one of the best defenders in football history. His career is notable for its extraordinary longevity and accomplishments at club and international level, when he demonstrated his versatility by playing at centre-back and right-back.

Throughout his playing career, Thuram represented Monaco, Parma, Juventus and Barcelona. He had great success during his tenure at Parma, where he won the 1999 UEFA Cup. The Frenchman also established himself as a world-class defender at Juventus by helping the team win several Serie A titles.

With 142 caps, he is the second-most-capped player in the French team's history. Thuram demonstrated his leadership qualities, defensive skill and capacity to step up to the plate when it mattered most during France's victories at Euro 2000 and the 1998 World Cup. Notably, the only two goals he ever scored for his nation came in the World Cup semi-final against Croatia, which helped seal France's place in the final.

International caps	142
International goals	2
Clubs played for	Monaco, Parma, Juventus, Barcelona
France honours	1998 World Cup, Euro 2000

6

Just Fontaine

1950-1960

Just Fontaine is regarded as one of the greatest attackers in football history and has a special position in World Cup history. Despite having a brief career owing to injuries, Fontaine scored a lot of goals for club and country, displaying his remarkable pace, cleverness and finishing touch.

During the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden, Fontaine's most illustrious accomplishment was setting a record of scoring 13 goals in a single tournament, which is a record that still remains today.

This incredible accomplishment, which included a hat-trick in his World Cup debut and a four-goal showing against West Germany in the third-place play-off, launched him to global prominence and solidified his position as a World Cup legend.

Highlights of Fontaine's career at club level include successful seasons with Nice and Reims. He was a major factor in Reims' domestic and European accomplishments, winning several French league titles and reaching the inaugural European Cup final.

Even though Fontaine's injury ended his career at the age of 28, he had a significant impact on the game. With 30 goals in 21 games for the French national team, he retired with an outstanding scoring record.

International caps	21
International goals	30
Clubs played for	USM Casablanca, Nice, Stade Reims

5

Patrick Vieira

1993-2011

Patrick Vieira is regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation. During his playing career, Vieira stood out due to his outstanding defensive and attacking performances, as well as his ability to control the midfield.

The Frenchman's club career took off at Arsenal, where he contributed significantly to his side's accomplishments under manager Arsène Wenger. His arrival in 1996 had an instant and significant impact on the team, as he helped Arsenal win four FA Cups and three Premier League crowns, which included captaining the Invincibles in 2003/04.

Following his unforgettable time at Arsenal, Vieira went on to play for Juventus, Inter and Manchester City. He added more trophies to his collection during this time, winning an FA Cup with City and several Serie A titles with Inter before retiring in 2011.

Vieira was also an important member of the French national team, winning 107 caps and helping the team win Euro 2000 and the World Cup in 1998.

International caps	107
International goals	6
Clubs played for	Cannes, Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter, Man City
France honours	1998 World Cup, Euro 2000

4

Raymond Kopa

1949-1967

Raymond Kopa was a legendary French football player renowned for his exceptional dribbling skills, playmaking talents and vision.

Real Madrid and Reims are most famously linked to Kopa's club career. He was instrumental in Reims' 1956 run to the European Cup final and their domestic victories.

Real Madrid were drawn to his skills, and he ended up being a key member of Madrid's 1957 La Liga-winning squad and went on to win three straight European Cups from 1957 to 1959.

He won 45 caps and bagged 18 goals on the international stage. His contribution to France's 1958 FIFA World Cup voyage to the semi-finals was pivotal, and it ended up being their best finish prior to winning the competition in 1998. Playing with another man on the list, Just Fontaine, at the tournament, Kopa's exploits earned him the Ballon d'Or that year, establishing himself as Europe's finest player.

International caps	45
International goals	18
Clubs played for	Angers, Stade Reims, Real Madrid

3

Michel Platini

1972-1988

Michel Platini is a legendary football player known for his amazing goalscoring ability, innovative playmaking and incredible skill as a midfielder. Platini had a successful club career, where he won multiple titles with Juventus in Italy, including the European Cup, the Coppa Italia, and Serie A. He also enjoyed success with AS Nancy and Saint-Étienne in France.

Platini had an equally remarkable international career with Les Bleus. He was the tournament's top scorer and best player at the European Championship in 1984 to help France win the tournament, scoring a record nine goals in a single tournament.

His contributions in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups saw France advance to the semi-finals in both competitions, firmly establishing his reputation as one of the all-time great French players, with 41 goals in total in his 72 caps.

International caps	72
International goals	41
Clubs played for	Nancy, Saint-Etienne, Juventus
France honours	Euro 1984

2

Thierry Henry

1994-2012

No one can dispute that Thierry Henry is one of the most legendary forwards in football history.

Henry's Premier League career at Arsenal took off, and he went on to become the team's all-time top scorer with 228 goals in all competitions. He played a major role in Arsenal's Invincibles season of 2003/04, as well as winning two Premier Leagues, three FA Cups, and four Premier League Golden Boots. After his triumph in England, he relocated to Barcelona, where he won two La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, and the Champions League in 2009.

There's no doubting that he played with distinction for France at international level, notching 51 goals and accumulating 123 caps. His contributions to France's victories at Euro 2000 and the 1998 World Cup helped him lay the foundations for his legacy, despite the controversy during the 2010 World Cup campaign that tainted his latter years.

International caps	123
International goals	51
Clubs played for	Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona, New York Red Bulls
France honours	1998 World Cup, Euro 2000

1

Zinedine Zidane

1989-2006

One of the most recognisable players in football is Zinedine Zidane. Throughout his playing career, Zidane stood out for clubs like Juventus and Real Madrid, as well as the French national team, due to his skill with the ball, vision and exceptional ability to score important goals.

Zidane made a name for himself as one of the best midfielders in the world at Juventus, winning two Serie A titles in Turin. His famous volleyed goal in the 2002 Champions League final, which secured the trophy for Real Madrid, was the pinnacle of his time in the Spanish capital. His tenure at Madrid also saw him win the Intercontinental Cup and La Liga, which he also led Los Blancos to as manager.

His talent was crucial to France's success at Euro 2000 and the 1998 World Cup, emerging as a key player in both competitions. His reputation as a national hero was solidified with his two headers against Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final. Despite the controversy of his red card in the World Cup final of 2006, Zidane's contributions to the sport as a whole are not overshadowed.

International caps	108
International goals	31
Clubs played for	Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid
France honours	1998 World Cup, Euro 2000