France is ranked as the 5th strongest football nation in Europe, featuring outstanding players, especially in attack. Throughout football history, many top French strikers have dominated the game, showcasing remarkable goalscoring prowess. So do you know who is the country's top scorer? Join admin Wintips to review "Top 10 France top scorers ever" right below.
France top scorers - Who is the best?
1. Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry represented the French national team from 1997 to 2010 and played a crucial role in France's victories at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000. Henry scored 51 goals for France, making him the second-highest goal scorer in the nation's history.
Henry was renowned for his role as a forward, who possessed speed, technique, and exceptional attacking instincts. His agility, accurate finishing, and ability to create scoring opportunities for teammates allowed him to dominate matches during the peak of his career.
2. Olivier Giroud
Many will be surprised that France's top scorer turns out to be Olivier Giroud. So, it was only natural for him to appear on the list of France's top scorers. Born on 30 September 1986, he is a French professional footballer. During his time in the EPL, he played for two clubs: Arsenal and Chelsea. Currently, Giroud plays for AC Milan.
Giroud was again the top scorer with 21 goals in the 2011–12 season, helping the club secure their first Ligue 1 title before transferring to Arsenal. Giroud won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2014, 2015, and 2017, scoring a total of 105 goals in 253 games for the club. In January 2018, he signed an 18-month contract with Chelsea.
3. David Trezuguet
The next name to appear on France's top scorer's list is David Trezeguet. Trezeguet began his career at AS Monaco, where he won numerous titles, including Ligue 1. He then moved to Juventus, where he flourished and became one of the world's top strikers.
The French football legend also played a crucial role in leading the national team to victory in UEFA Euro 2000 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. After retiring from his professional playing career, Trezeguet, the French football legend, remained active in the sport as an analyst and engaged in charitable and community development activities.
4. Just Fontaine
Just Fontaine was born on August 18, 1933, in Marrakech, Morocco, which was then a French colonial territory. With his exceptional goal-scoring ability and remarkable career goal-scoring record, Fontaine rose to fame and became a significant icon in football history.
The French football legend began his career at OGC Nice before transferring to Stade de Reims, where he achieved considerable success. However, the pinnacle of his career came during the 1958 FIFA World Cup held in Sweden. During this tournament, he scored 13 goals in just 6 matches, a record that has yet to be broken to this day.
5. Micheal Platini
Michel Platini, one of France's football legends, was born on June 21, 1955, in Joeuf, France. He began his career at AS Nancy before moving to Saint-Étienne and then to Juventus. At Juventus, he became one of the world's top players, winning numerous individual and team honors, including multiple Serie A titles as well as the UEFA Champions League.
Platini is considered a significant icon of French football. He was renowned as an attacking midfielder and an excellent playmaker, known for his game control and precise finishing. His playing style combined strength, agility, and tactical intelligence.
6. Jean-Pierre Papin
Ranked 6th on the list France top scorers is Jean-Pierre Papin. He was born on November 5, 1963, in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. He began his career at Valenciennes before playing for Club Brugge and later Marseille. At Marseille, he became one of the world's top forwards, winning multiple Ligue 1 titles and earning the Ballon d'Or in 1991.
Jean-Pierre Papin became an important part of the French national team, participating in three World Cups and winning the European Championship in 1984. With his outstanding goal-scoring ability and incredible free-kick skills, Jean-Pierre Papin etched his name in football history and became a legendary icon of the sport.
7. Kylian Mbappé
Born on December 20, 1998, Kylian Mbappé is a professional footballer from France, who plays as a forward for the Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team. He is regarded as one of the most expensive players in the world, according to CIES transfer value.
Mbappé became well-known in France in 2017. At the 2018 World Cup, he became the youngest French player to score in a World Cup. He was also the second teenager in football history, after Pelé, to score in a World Cup final. He ranks second on the list of all-time top scorers for the French national team in official matches and received the Golden Boy Award for his outstanding performances.
8. Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema's full name is Karim Mostafa Benzema. He was born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France. He started his football career at Bron Terraillon SC at the age of 8. He then joined Olympique Lyonnais, the biggest club in the city. Benzema officially debuted as a professional player in the 2004–2005 season.
Currently, Karim Benzema plays as a striker for Real Madrid and the French national team. In addition to his impressive goalscoring ability, he also can hold up the ball, link up with teammates in midfield, and provide passes to the forwards.
9. Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane had an impressive playing career with top clubs such as Juventus and Real Madrid. He was also an integral part of the French national team, winning the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and the UEFA European Championship in 2000.
Zidane is highly regarded for his elegant style of play, intelligence, and exceptional individual technique. He is considered one of the greatest attacking midfielders in the history of football, with remarkable ball control and creativity. Zidane was also a master at creating scoring opportunities and scoring crucial goals in decisive matches.
10. Antoine Griezmann
Born on March 21, 1991, Antoine Griezmann is a professional footballer from France, playing as a forward for Atlético Madrid and the French national team. Born and raised in Mâcon, Griezmann began his professional career as a member of the Spanish team Real Sociedad in 2009, where he won the Segunda División title in his first season. He left the following season to join Atlético Madrid for a record transfer fee of 30 million euros.
At UEFA Euro 2016, France reached the final as the host nation, with Griezmann finishing as the top goal scorer and being voted Best Player. Later, he went on and won the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Griezmann was also nominated for the 2016 Ballon d'Or and won the 2017/18 Europa League.
Conclusion
The following are the "France top scorers," compiled by the admin of the Wintips website using statistics from renowned, reputable, and reliable newspapers around the world. In the future, we may continue to see other great French strikers making their mark across Europe. However, this was a time when the legacy of these players was still significant. So give these players a certain amount of respect. Don't forget to visit bookmaker arcaea to receive attractive promotions from bookmakers every day.
