Ranking the 5 most in-form France players in world football currently (2021)

France have always boasted world class talent across their ranks. They were the team to beat in the late 1990s and early 2000s alongside the legendary Brazil team. Players like Thierry Henry, Zinedine Zidane, David Trezeguet and Robert Pires often left viewers in awe of their talent.

Riding high on their World Cup victory in 1998 and their Euros triumph in 2000, France looked set to dominate football for decades. That was until internal controversies and a divided dressing room derailed Les Bleus from their upward trajectory as they neared the 2010s.

France's exit from the group stages of the 2010 FIFA World Cup alongside fellow 2006 finalists Italy was an all-time low for the team. However, since former player Didier Deschamps took over as national team manager in 2012, things could not have been better for France.

They dominated the qualifying rounds and marched to the final of Euro 2016, only to lose out to Portugal by a solitary extra-time goal on home soil. Two years later, France conquered Moscow and were crowned world champions at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Recently, they also added the UEFA Nations League to their glittering trophy cabinet.

Players like Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud have been pillars of France's successes in recent years.

As we edge closer to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, France sit comfortably in top spot in their qualifying group with 15 points from seven games. They have confirmed their spot at next year's tournament with a game still to play and will go in all guns blazing to defend their title.

With that said, let's look at the five most in-form French players who have been crucial to their club's and country's stunning form in recent times.

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#5 Moussa Diaby - Bayer Leverkusen

Moussa Diaby in action for Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

When Leon Bailey departed the BayArena to join Aston Villa in the Premier League, Leverkusen fans feared for their club's future. Kai Havertz's departure for Chelsea prior to that had already done enough damage to their optimism.

They feared that their side would lose their competitive edge in the German Bundesliga due to a talent drain. Enter: Moussa Diaby.

The 22-year-old winger has impressed for Leverkusen this season. Diaby has often left defenders shell-shocked with his dynamism in and around the box, and his explosiveness while cutting in from the wings. In 16 appearances across competitions this season, Diaby has scored six goals and set up four more.

Should he continue his form, he could help Bayer Lerverkusen mount a run for automatic qualification to next year's UEFA Champions League. Diaby also played well in France's 8-0 demolition of Kazakhstan and looks set to be a part of the national squad in the future as well.

An exciting prospect to keep an eye on in the future!

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#4 Matteo Guendouzi - Marseille

Matteo Guendouzi warms up before a league match.

Matteo Guendouzi is a player that leaves fans amazed with his weaving forward runs and his twisting and turning manouvres in midfield on the pitch. However, he has also shown a bratty side to his personality which has put him in hot water in the past. Just ask fellow Frenchman Neal Maupay!

Guendouzi is currently on loan at Marseille from Arsenal, a deal that expires in the summer of 2022. The French club have an obligation to buy him upon the end of the loan spell.

Guendouzi is a player who likes to make surging forward runs to help progress the ball and initiate attacking transitions for his team. He can play well on the half-turn and has good ball retention against opponents that press high up the pitch.

Since moving to the south of France, Guendouzi has flourished with a bit more attacking freedom afforded to him in comparison to his days in London.

So far this season, the 22-year-old has made 17 appearances for Marseille across all competitions. He has a healthy return of three goals and three assists for his side during this time. Guendouzi has also recently been knocking on the door of Didier Deschamps' Les Bleus side.

Paul Pogba's injury concerns and others' inability to put in consistent performances could see Guendouzi get a chance to play for France soon.

#3 Christopher Nkunku - RB Leipzig

Christopher Nkunku in action for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

At just 24 years of age, France's Christopher Nkunku is on the verge of making 200 senior club appearances.

In his 199 appearances so far, Nkunku has racked up an amazing 45 goals and 44 assists. He is an attacking midfielder who plays more like a 'false nine', keeping centre-backs occupied and making darting runs behind opposition lines.

Nkunku is a player blessed with exceptional dribbling skills that are aided by his agility and balance. He has shifted a couple of gears this season and is putting up world class numbers. In 17 appearances, the midfielder has racked up 11 goals and seven assists.

These are numbers that are fit to put him at the top of any list but this one, unfortunately.

Christopher Nkunku is another player who has recently been added to France's national squad and will look to cement his place for years to come. With him and Yussuf Poulsen up front, Leipzig, too, look set to test most defenses in the world in the immediate future.

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#2 Kylian Mbappe - Paris Saint-Germain

Mbappe in action for France during Euro 2020.

Kylian Mbappe is France's poster-boy and the long-term flag bearer for the national team for the foreseeable future.

Mbappe first broke onto the scene in the 2016-17 season with Monaco, helping them win Ligue 1 ahead of rivals PSG. He scored a staggering 26 goals and provided 14 assists in 44 appearances, averaging close to one goal contribution per game.

That caught PSG's eye and they bought him for a record fee of around €180 million when that season ended. Mbappe was also crucial in France's run in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, scoring four goals in the tournament as Les Bleus were crowned champions.

Mbappe has retained his brilliance this season despite being surrounded by a star-studded cast including Neymar Jr. and Lionel Messi. He has scored a healthy seven goals in 16 appearances this term, but has upped his playmaking role and provided 11 assists for his teammates.

Mbappe carried this stunning form into the international break as well, producing a masterclass in France's 8-0 win over Kazakhstan. The forward scored four times as Les Bleus demolished their opposition.

Mbappe is a player with different levels of finesse and ball control. He seems to have the ball glued to his feet as he weaves through opposition defenses, and his touch is immaculate. Mbappe's finishing is also world class and the clip below demonstrates that:

Football fans worldwide already have great expectations from the third 22-year-old Frenchman on this list, and rightly so. Mbappe seems to fit the bill to be a bonafide superstar.

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#1 Karim Benzema - Real Madrid

Karim Benzema in disagreement with the linesman during France's match against Portugal at Euro 2020.

Karim Benzema has gone from strength to strength since his days of being part of the lethal 'BBC' trio with Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Benzema has aged like a fine wine, and seems to show no signs of slowing down. Now one of the more experienced heads in a young Real Madrid side, he has taken up the responsibility to lead the side. There also seems to be a newfound vigor in his approach to the game.

Benzema has been the main striker for France in recent times as well and even scored four goals at Euro 2020 over the summer.

So far this season, Benzema has amassed 14 goals and eight assists in just 15 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid. He has done exceptionally well to take Los Blancos close to the top of La Liga, making them firm favorites to win the title ahead of rivals.

Benzema's 17 goal contributions in the league have put him alongside some of the greatest talents across Europe.

Should Karim Benzema continue this run of form, he is bound to set new records and break old ones for both club and country. Football fans worldwide would hope that he can keep performing at this level for at least a few more years.