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Defensive midfielder - Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira was one of the finest made in France, box-to-box midfielders of the game. Vieira played a supporting role in the FIFA World Cup 1998 triumph but was heavily involved in the Euro 2000 campaign. He played the role of the first-choice central midfielder.
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He also won the FIFA Confederations Cup 2001, ending the tournament with the highest goals. Vieira was also handed the captaincy of the national team. Vieira retired after missing the FIFA World Cup 2010 with 107 caps for France, and six goals.
Midfielder - Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane is arguably the best French footballer in modern times. Zidane was named the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000 and 2003, and also won the 1998 Ballon d'Or.
He scored twice in the 1998 FIFA World Cup final against Brazil in a 3-0 win and is a national hero in France till date. Zidane was named the player of the tournament at Euro 2000 for his exceptional ball control and passing abilities in central midfield. He also went on to win the Golden Ball in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Zidane played 108 international games for France, scoring 31 goals and retiring as the fourth most capped French player in history. He was subsequently named the best European footballer of the past 50 years in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll.
Midfielder - Michel Platini
Michel Platini overpowers Zinedine Zidane as the best French footballer of all time. Platini played a pivotal role in France's Euro 1884 triumph which was one of the first major international football trophies for the French nation. He was both the top scorer and the best player in the tournament. Platini scored nine goals at Euro 1984, which till date is the highest number of goals scored by a player in the tournament.
Platini formed the elite magic square with his compatriots Alain Giresse, Luis Fernandez and Jean Tigana in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. Platini was the record goal-scorer for France until 2007 when Thierry Henry eventually took over. Platini won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1983, 1984 and 1985, and came seventh in the FIFA Player of the Century vote.
