#4 Claude Makelele
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Having not been a part of France’s 1998 World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 successes, Makelele made his tournament debut at the 2002 World Cup. At UEFA Euro 2004, Makelele was a first choice player in midfield, being offered a starter role in three of France’s four matches.
The defensive midfielder decided to retire from international football in 2004, in an attempt to focus on club football with Chelsea. But he was hauled out of retirement alongside Zinedine Zidane and Lilian Thuram to help a France team struggling in the qualifying stages of 2006 World Cup.
Makelele’s tireless performances in the midfield alongside Patrick Viera proved effective as the 2006 World Cup finalists conceded only three goals in seven games. Despite his will to retire, he was again called up for the Euro qualification games by the then manager Raymond Domenech.
Makelele went on to play the UEFA Euro 2008, where France faced a surprise exit in the group stages itself. He took his final call on retirement following the elimination from the competition.
