#3 Lilian Thuram, France – 1998 World Cup
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France’s most capped player Lilian Thuram is regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all-time for his versatility, technicality, and aggressive playing style. In a career that lasted 17 years, the defender played for the likes of Monaco, Juventus, Barcelona, and Parma, winning silverware with each one of them.
Thuram played for France from 1994 to 2008, appearing in three World Cups, four European championships, and a Confederations Cup. The former Barcelona player was an integral part of what was called as France’s golden generation and was named in the teams of the tournament of the 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000, and the 2006 World Cup.
In his 142 appearances for the national team, Thuram scored only two goals and both of them came in a World Cup Semifinal! In the 1998 World Cup, France were up against a Croatian side who were competing at their maiden World Cup and were coming into the game after a 3-0 bashing of Germany in the quarter-finals.
The Croats drew first blood with their talisman Davor Suker scoring in the beginning of the second half. Just moments after Croatia took the lead, Thuram scored his first goal for France by driving in a pass from Youri Djorkaeff past Croatian custodian Drazen Ladic.
He scored France’s winner through a left-footed shot just outside the penalty area that beat goalkeeper Ladic. France went on to win the tournament and Thuram was awarded the bronze ball as the third best player of the competition.
Thuram went on to play a huge role in France’s success at Euro 2000 and their runner-up performance at the 2006 World Cup but never scored for Les Bleus again.
Also Read: France 1998 & 2000 squads - where are they now?
