France has a rich soccer history that is highlighted by their 1998 FIFA World Cup championship. Naturally, some of the stars from that team, including Zinedine Zidane and Didier Deschamps, are among the most famous and revered players in French soccer history. However, there were French soccer stars before and after that memorable 1998 run, including Thierry Henry, who starred on the 2006 French team that was the World Cup runner-up in 2006.
Thierry Henry
A native Parisian, Henry is one of the most well-known and personable international players in modern football. He starred for the French national team in several international competitions and was the French Player of the Year four times. Henry also starred for Arsenal in the British Premier League, where he set a record by becoming the league's leading scorer four seasons in a row. He also became France's leading scorer in international competition. In 2010, Henry joined the New York Red Bulls of America's Major League Soccer (MLS).
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane, one of France's greatest soccer players, was known for his technique and control. However, many people that don't know much about his career with France's national team (or with top European teams Juventus and Real Madrid) know Zidane for his infamous head-butting incident in the 2006 World Cup final. In the closing minutes, an agitated Zidane turned and slammed his bald head into the chest of Italian player Marco Materazzi. He was ejected from the game, which would be his last. Zidane retired after that tournament, which France lost on penalty kicks, but his legend remains. Zidane was a three-time FIFA Player of the Year, and he also scored the winning goal for Real Madrid in the 2006 Champions League final.
Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps was one of the best defenders in French soccer history, and he took on a rare responsibility for a defender when he became captain of the French national team in the 1998 World Cup, which France won, and in the 2000 UEFA European Championship, which France also won. His professional career started in Marseille and included stints with Juventus and Chelsea. Deschamps started his coaching career in 2001 and coaches Marseille in 2011.
Michel Platini
Platini, known for his wild mane of curly hair and his outstanding ball-handling skills on the field, was among the greatest midfielders France ever produced. He never won a World Cup, but Platini was the leading scorer for France in the 1984 Euro Cup. His legendary nine-goal performance in the tournament included "perfect hat tricks" -- scoring a goal with his right foot, left foot and head -- against Belgium and Yugoslavia. Platini continued to be a force in international soccer in retirement; he became the UEFA's president in 2007.
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