I. Zinedine Zidane

X. Lilian Thuram - Career 1994-2008 Caps 142 Goals 2


After becoming a world champion in 1998, Thuram was an integral part of France's triumph at Euro 2000. After a brief international retirement, he was convinced to return in 2005. On 9 June 2008, Thuram took the field against Romania in a group match, and became the first player to make 15 Uefa European Championship finals appearances. He finished his career with the national team as France's most capped player with 142 caps.


IX. Didier Deschamps - Career 1989-2000 Caps 103 Goals 4


Received his first international call-up from Michel Platini on 29 April 1989 against Yugoslavia. During Euro 96, he led them all the way to the semi-finals, but his greatest honour came when he guided France to World Cup glory in 1998 on home soil.


Following that tournament Deschamps then lifted the European Championship trophy in 2000 after his team beat Italy in the final.


VIII. David Trezeguet - Career 1998-2008 Caps 71 Goals 34


Having played in both the 1998 and the 2006 World Cup, Trézéguet established himself as one of France's most lethal frontmen. However, his international highlight arrived in 2000 when he scored the golden goal that meant France beat Italy in the final of the European Championships. He announced his retirement from international football in July 2008.


VII. Marcel Desailly - Career 1993-2004 Caps 116 Goals 3


Desailly was an important part of the team that won the 1998 World Cup – even though he was sent off in the final against Brazil. Two years later success continued, as France won Euro 2000. After that competition, he was made captain and he then led the team to victory in Confederations Cup in 2001.


VI. Jean-Pierre Papin - Career 1986-1995 Caps 54 Goals 30


Papin hit an impressive 30 goals in 54 matches for his country. He played in the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico, where France finished third, and at the 1992 European Championships in Sweden, yet never tasted glory with Les Bleus.


V. Just Fontaine - Career 1953-1960 Caps 21 Goals 30


On his debut in December 1953 Fontaine scored a hat-trick as France defeated Luxembourg 8-0. In seven years, he scored 30 goals in 21 matches. However, he will be best remembered for his 1958 World Cup performance, where he scored 13 goals in just six matches, which included putting four past the defending champions West Germany.


IV. Patrick Vieira - Career 1997-Present Caps 107 Goals 6


Despite being born in Senegal Vieira chose to play for France. Emerging as a key player in the 2000 European Championships and the 2001 Confederations Cup, he was eventually named team captain, although he is now struggling to break into Raymond Domenech's squad.


III. Thierry Henry - Career 1997-Present Caps 115 Goals 51


He might have only been a bit-part player in 1998 World Cup campaign, but ever since then he has been one of his country's most important players.


In the 2003 Confederations Cup, Henry stood out as he was voted Player of the Tournament as well as being its top scorer. The Barcelona man is now France's record goal-scorer.


II. Michel Platini - Career 1976-1987 Caps 72 Goals 41


After making his debut in 1976, Platini went on to forge a memorable international career with his talents on show in the 1984 European Championships, where he scored twice in the final against Spain to help France win their first major international title.


I. Zinedine Zidane - Career 1994-2006 Caps 108 Goals 31


Zidane was always destined to be a French great after scoring twice on his debut against the Czech Republic in 1994. He was key to helping his team triumph in the 1998 World Cup and the European Championships in 2000. After a brief international retirement, he returned for the 2006 World Cup, where he was voted the best player in the competition, but was sent off in the final against Italy after headbutting Marco Materazzi.