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Montpellier HSC is not the most famous name in Ligue 1, but in its history of more than a century, this team has produced many true legends - players who not only contributed greatly to important milestones but also represented the club's typical playing style: disciplined, pragmatic, and surprising. Understanding iconic figures such as Souleymane Camara, Laurent Blanc or Olivier Giroud not only helps fans love this team more, but is also a significant advantage in betting analysis. In the article below, Win Betting Tips will review the top 7 Montpellier best players, while providing tactical perspectives and betting trends that can be applied from the playing legacy they left behind.
Top 7 Montpellier best players in history
Throughout its more than century of existence, Montpellier HSC has made its mark not only with rare achievements, but also with extraordinary people, players who have left a deep mark in the history of the club. Here are the top 7 most typical names, representing the identity, spirit and playing heritage of the Occitanie team.
7. Michel Mézy
Michel Mézy is considered one of the most complete and integral figures in Montpellier’s history he was a player, coach and then technical director of the club. Although he did not directly lead the team during their most recent promotion in 2009, he played a fundamental role in shaping Montpellier’s distinctive football culture: developing young players, promoting discipline and internal unity.
With a long-term vision in management and training, Mézy contributed to creating a stable development cycle for the club – from the Coupe de France winning generation in 1990 to the golden period in 2011–12. In his leadership role, he persisted in the strategy of using local players and building the team around traditional values.
In terms of betting, Mézy's influence is reflected in the internal stability of Montpellier, a team that rarely falls into decline for too long. When the team goes through a few games without a win but still maintains a good position, bets such as "Montpellier wins Asian handicap" or "No loss at home" often bring high value. In addition, the priority of training domestic players means that Montpellier often has young talents who suddenly shine, a good basis for special bets such as "U23 player to score" or "Late goal from substitute".
6. Jean-Louis Gasset
Jean-Louis Gasset is a figure who devoted nearly his entire career to Montpellier as a player, head coach, and assistant. He possessed an in-depth understanding of the club and built a tactical identity rooted in discipline, pragmatism, and maximum utilization of available resources. Whether as head coach or assistant, he helped shape a Montpellier that was practical yet effective, particularly in matches against stronger opponents.
From a betting standpoint, Gasset brought a tactical depth that influenced Montpellier’s approach in big games often focusing on clean sheets and counter-attacks. When analyzing teams managed by him or those adopting a similar philosophy, punters may favor markets such as “Under 2.5 Goals,” “No Goal in First Half,” or “0–0 Halftime Score.” Moreover, his intelligent use of young players added an element of surprise making special markets like “U23 Player to Score” or “Substitute to Score” appealing when following Montpellier.
5. Younès Belhanda
Younès Belhanda was one of the brightest talents to emerge from Montpellier’s academy, known for his technical skill, tactical vision, and ability to create unexpected moments. Alongside Giroud and Cabella, he was a vital piece of the highly creative 2012 attacking lineup. Belhanda’s versatility allowed Montpellier to execute central attacks a rarity among mid-table Ligue 1 sides at that time.
From a betting viewpoint, Belhanda represents an era when Montpellier played proactive, high-tempo football with a tendency toward “over” outcomes. Matches involving him typically featured a fast pace and goals coming from various positions. For bettors analyzing over/under markets, fixtures featuring creative midfielders like Belhanda often present good opportunities for “Both Teams to Score (BTTS)” or “First Half Over.” Additionally, due to his dribbling ability, Belhanda frequently earned fouls making “Opponent Card” or “Montpellier Corners” viable betting options, especially if the current lineup includes similarly skilled playmakers.
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4. Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud is an indispensable name when discussing the pinnacle of Montpellier’s history. In the 2011–12 season, Giroud scored 21 goals and provided 9 assists, playing a pivotal role in the club’s first-ever Ligue 1 title. His style relied on intelligent positioning, aerial strength, and excellent hold-up play. Giroud was not just a goal scorer but also a focal point that allowed Montpellier’s attack to function smoothly.
From a betting perspective, the era with Giroud marked a highly efficient and well-organized attacking Montpellier. Those who followed the club during this time would recognize a clear tendency to score early goals – as Giroud often made an impact within the first 15–20 minutes. This can be translated into strategies such as “Goal in First Half,” “Giroud to Score First” (when playing for France), or “Montpellier to Win First Half” against weaker opponents. Furthermore, the team’s effective use of aerial play during that time continues to influence recent seasons – making bets on corners, goals from corners, or dead-ball situations especially worthwhile.
3. Vitorino Hilton
Vitorino Hilton was the unsung hero of Montpellier’s 2012 Ligue 1 championship campaign. Arriving from Marseille, few expected this Brazilian centre-back to become a model captain, playing until the age of 43 a truly remarkable feat. Although he lacked pace, Hilton possessed exceptional positional awareness, which helped Montpellier maintain a solid defensive record across many seasons. His calm yet highly effective playing style made him a symbol of modern defending at the club.
In terms of betting, Hilton represents a period during which Montpellier prioritized solidity and efficiency. When following the team, particularly in away matches or encounters against stronger opponents, bettors might consider the “Under 2.5 goals” market or “Draw No Bet” in favor of Montpellier. Historical data from Hilton’s playing years show a high rate of draws and narrow victories which lends value to combined bets like “Full-time Under + Montpellier +0.5” in Asian Handicap or in-play markets. The team's focused and disciplined approach also supports markets like “No goal conceded in the first half.”
2. Laurent Blanc
Laurent Blanc is regarded as one of the most talented players Montpellier has ever produced. He remains the highest-scoring centre-back in the club’s history a rare achievement for any team. Between 1983 and 1991, he was not only the leader of the defense but also a secret attacking weapon, frequently scoring with headers or long-range shots. Under his influence, Montpellier won the Coupe de France in 1990, marking a historic milestone for the club.
From a betting angle, Blanc’s era reflects a Montpellier side that was tactically flexible and willing to attack even when considered the underdog. This suggests that matches involving Montpellier may have featured a higher-than-average goal contribution from centre-backs. When evaluating corner kick or set-piece goal markets, it is advisable to consider this tradition, as many of the club’s modern centre-backs have inherited this attacking mindset from Blanc’s time. Furthermore, the team's history of bold and physical play makes Montpellier a strong candidate for “card” markets, particularly in Occitanie derby matches.
1. Souleymane Camara
Souleymane Camara was not only a veteran striker but also the heart and soul of Montpellier for over a decade. With more than 430 appearances and consistent goal-scoring ability throughout his career, Camara became a symbol of perseverance, loyalty, and efficiency. During the glorious 2011–12 season, he played the role of a “super substitute,” frequently coming off the bench to make impactful contributions. From his early days as a young forward to his retirement, he embodied the never-give-up fighting spirit of Montpellier.
From a betting perspective, Camara represents the pragmatic and resilient playing style of Montpellier. When analyzing the club’s historical betting trends, one should note that the team often performed well under pressure, especially in the latter stages of the second half. This insight can be applied to markets such as “late goal” bets or options like “more goals in the second half than in the first.” Additionally, Montpellier’s tradition of making effective use of substitutes makes the market “goal scored after the 75th minute” particularly valuable, especially in home matches.
Final Thoughts
Although they do not have the huge budget or the rich list of titles like PSG or Marseille, Montpellier still holds its own in French football thanks to special people from the goal-scoring center-back like Laurent Blanc, to the persistent super-sub like Camara or the defensive icon Vitorino Hilton. For bettors, a deep understanding of a club's history and style is a factor that helps analyze odds not only based on current statistics, but also predicting according to cycles, trends and playing psychology. With the Montpellier best players, it is a valuable tactical data warehouse for any bettor who knows how to exploit it. Invest in knowledge, because in betting, sometimes history is the biggest advantage.
See more: Ranking the top 8 Saint Etienne best players of all time
