The 20+ Best Ligue 1 Players of All Time

Welcome to the thrilling world of Ligue 1 soccer and the legendary players who have left an indelible mark on the sport. In this article, WhoGoHere will take you on a journey through time, celebrating the all-time best players who have graced the Ligue 1 field. 

From iconic goalscorers to midfield maestros, these soccer legends have captured the hearts of fans worldwide. So, without further ado, let’s kick off our countdown of the best Ligue 1 players of all time.

Our lists are calculated using data drawn from public sources. When provided, we also incorporate private tips and feedback synthesized in many ways. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below.

Our List of The 20+ Best Ligue 1 Players of All Time (Updating)

1. Edinson Cavani (Centre-Forward or Striker) – $40 Million

Country: Uruguay

Club: Paris Saint-Germain F.C.

Appearances: 658

Goals: 370

Assist: 74

Edinson Cavani is a prolific striker, Cavani’s career is marked by his exceptional goal-scoring ability. With numerous appearances for clubs like Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain, he has been known for his work rate, aerial prowess, and finishing skills.

His career has seen him win multiple league titles and individual awards, solidifying his status as one of the top forwards of his generation.

2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Centre-Forward) – $190 Million

Country: Sweden

Club: AC Milian

Appearances: 827

Goals: 496

Assist: 205

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is A towering figure in modern soccer, Ibrahimović is renowned for his incredible technical ability, strength, and character.

With a career spanning several top clubs & top leagues in the world (Juventus, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain), he has amassed numerous goals and titles, leaving a lasting impact at every club he has played for.

3. Juninho Pernambucano (Attacking Midfield)

Country: Brazil

Club: Olympique Lyon

Appearances: 468

Goals: 118

Assist: 109

Juninho Pernambucano is renowned as one of the greatest free-kick takers in soccer history. Pernambucano’s career is a testament to skill and precision.

His journey, most notably with Olympique Lyonnais, is marked by an astounding ability to score from set pieces, contributing significantly to Lyon’s dominance in the French league in the 2000s.

4. Zinedine Zidane (Attacking Midfielder) – $120 Million

Country: France

Club: Girondins De Bordeaux

Appearances: 689

Goals: 125

Assist: 141

Zinedine Zidane is one of the most elegant midfielders ever, Zidane’s career is filled with memorable moments, including winning the 1998 World Cup with France and scoring a famous volley in the 2002 Champions League final.

His vision, ball control, and leadership have made him the best soccer player in the world.

5. Laurent Blanc – $185 Million

Country: France

Club: Paris Saint-Germain F.C.

Appearances: 604

Goals: 107

Assist: 6

Laurent Blanc – A versatile defender, Blanc’s career included success both at club level and with the French national team, winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. Known for his calm and composed style of play, he was also an effective goal-scorer, notably with headers.

6. Michel Platini (Attacking Midfield)

Country: France

Club: Juventus

Appearances: 550

Goals: 297

Assist: 49

Michel Platini is one of the greatest playmakers in soccer history, Platini’s career is distinguished by his incredible vision, technique, and goal-scoring ability. A three-time Ballon d’Or winner, he led France to victory in Euro 1984 and enjoyed successful stints with Saint-Étienne and Juventus.

7. Just Fontaine (Centre-Forward)

Country: France

Club: Stade Reims

Appearances: 235

Goals: 196

Assist: N/A

Just Fontaine holding the record for the most goals in a single World Cup tournament, Fontaine’s career was highlighted by his incredible finishing ability. Despite a relatively short career, his legacy as one of the greatest goal-scorers remains untouched.

8. Jean-Pierre Papin (Centre-Forward)

Country: France

Club: Marseille

Appearances: 504

Goals: 286

Assist: 20

Jean-Pierre Papin – as a prolific striker, Papin was known for his remarkable goal-scoring instincts. His career highlights include winning the Ballon d’Or in 1991 and leading the French national team in several major tournaments, along with successful stints at clubs like Marseille and AC Milan.

9. Raymond Kopa (Right Winger)

Country: France

Club: Stade Reims

Appearances: 428

Goals: 97

Assist: N/A

Raymond Kopa was a key figure in the Real Madrid team that dominated European football in the late 1950s, Kopa was known for his dribbling, playmaking skills, and vision. He was instrumental in France’s third-place finish in the 1958 World Cup.

10. Youri Djorkaeff (Attacking Midfield)

Country: France

Club: AS Monaco

Appearances: 581

Goals: 182

Assist: 79

Youri Djorkaeff – A versatile attacker, Djorkaeff’s career included success at both club and international levels. He was a key player in France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 victories, known for his technical skills and scoring ability.

11. Robert Jonquet (Sweeper)

Country: France

Club: Stade Reims

Appearances: 362

Goals: 2

Assist: N/A

Robert Jonquet – A central figure in France’s defense in the 1950s, Jonquet was known for his leadership, tactical intelligence, and robust defending. He was a part of the French squad in the 1958 World Cup and had a successful club career with Stade de Reims.

12. Marius Tresor (Sweeper)

Country: France

Club: Marseille

Appearances: 509

Goals: 19

Assist: N/A

Marius Tresor was regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, Trésor’s career included notable performances for France and successful stints at clubs like Marseille and Bordeaux. His elegant style of play and defensive skills were highly acclaimed.

13. Robert Pires (Left Midfield)

Country: France

Club: FC Metz

Appearances: 725

Goals: 167

Assist: 107

Robert Pires – A skilled winger, Pires was known for his creativity, technical ability, and goal-scoring prowess. A key member of the French team that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, he also had successful spells at Arsenal and Villarreal.

14. Kylian Mbappe (Striker) – $180 Million

Country: France

Club: Paris Saint-Germain F.C.

Appearances: 339

Goals: 256

Assist: 117

Kylian Mbappe – A young superstar in soccer, Mbappé’s career already includes a World Cup win with France in 2018, where his speed, skill, and finishing ability were on full display. At the club level, he has been a key player for Paris Saint-Germain, consistently delivering impressive performances.

15. Jean Pierre Papin (Centre-Forward)

Country: France

Club: Marseille

Appearances: 504

Goals: 286

Assist: 20

16. Thierry Henry (Centre-Forward)

Country: France

Club: AS Monaco

Appearances: 794

Goals: 360

Assist: 177

Thierry Henry is one of the finest forwards of his generation, Henry’s career includes a World Cup win with France in 1998, and a successful club career, notably with Arsenal, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer. Known for his pace, finishing, and intelligence on the field.

17. George Weah (Centre-Forward)

Country: Liberia

Club: AS Monaco

Appearances: 478

Goals: 193

Assist: 62

George Weah – The only African to win the Ballon d’Or, Weah’s career was marked by his incredible athleticism, skill, and goal-scoring ability. He had successful stints at clubs like AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain and is a celebrated figure in African football.

18. Jean-Marc Bosman (Attacking Midfield)

Country: Belgium

Club: Saint-Quentin

Appearances: 132

Goals: N/A

Assist: N/A

Jean-Marc Bosman – While Bosman’s playing career might not have reached the heights of others on this list, his impact on soccer is profound due to the landmark ‘Bosman ruling’, which dramatically changed player transfers in European football.

19. Didier Deschamps (Defensive Midfield) – $245 Million

Country: France

Club: Marseille

Appearances: 561

Goals: 21

Assist: 18

Didier Deschamps – A tenacious midfielder and leader, Deschamps captained France to World Cup glory in 1998 and a Euro 2000 victory. At the club level, he enjoyed success with teams like Juventus and Marseille.

20. Josip Skoblar (Centre-Forward)

Country: Croatia

Club: Marseille

Appearances: 318

Goals: 237

Assist: 11

Josip Skoblar is a Croatian forward known for his goal-scoring ability. He had a successful career in the 1960s and 70s, particularly with Marseille, where he set a record for goals in a single season.

Other Best Ligue 1 Soccer Players of Our List

• 21. Frank Sauzée – was known for his versatility and powerful shooting, Sauzée had a successful career in France and Scotland, notably with Marseille and Hibernian. He was a part of the French squad in the early 1990s.
• 22. Omar Sahnoun is a talented Algerian midfielder. Sahnoun’s career in France was marked by his technical skills and creativity. He played for clubs like Bordeaux and Nîmes, leaving a mark in the French league during the 1970s and 80s.
• 23. Safet Sušić – Known as a gifted playmaker, Sušić’s career included a successful stint with Paris Saint-Germain and representing Yugoslavia in the World Cup. He was known for his dribbling skills and vision on the field.
• 24. Carlos Bianchi is known as a prolific Argentine striker. His career is noted for his incredible goal-scoring record, especially in the French league with clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Reims.
• 25. Roger Piantoni – A key figure in the French national team in the 1950s, Piantoni was known for his attacking prowess and played a crucial role in France’s 1958 World Cup campaign.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best player in Ligue 1 this season?

Kylian Mbappe won his fourth Player of the Season award after leading Paris St Germain to their 11th French title.

Which player has the most Ligue 1 titles?

Marco Verratti holds the record for most titles for a player, with nine.

Who leads Ligue 1 in goals?

The latest top scorer is Kylian Mbappé of Paris Saint-Germain, who scored 29 goals in the 2022–23 season.

Who has the most chances created in the Ligue 1?

Messi was the player who made the most successful passes leading to chances created totalling to 30. This highlights his key role in the PSG attack. In the same league, only Rémy Cabella (101) and Benjamin Bourigeaud (98) created more chances for their teammates than Messi (93).

This is a significant increase of 30 chances compared to his performance from last season.

Who scored 44 goals in Ligue 1?

Its record for the most goals in a single season is still held by Josip Skoblar, who scored an incredible 44 goals during the 1970-71 campaign for Marseille.

Who is the youngest debut Ligue 1?

Kalman Gerencseri, 15 years and 225 days

Who won Ligue 1 last year?

Paris Saint-Germain F.C.

Who won the golden boot in the French League 1?

Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe finished top of Ligue 1’s scoring charts for the fifth consecutive season.

What is the biggest win in Ligue 1?

• Sochaux 12-1 Valenciennes. 25 August 1935. …
• Bordeaux 10-0 Stade Français. 4 September 1965.
• RC Paris 9-0 Le Havre. 23 August 1959.
• Monaco 9-0 Bordeaux. 18 January 1986.
• Troyes 0-9 Paris SG. 13 March 2016.

Why Ligue 1 is not in top 5?

French clubs have been struggling to achieve success in European competitions, which has led to a decline in their ranking. In contrast, the strong performances of Dutch clubs in Europe over the past five years have significantly boosted their nation’s coefficient ranking.

Conclusion

As we wrap up our exploration of the best Ligue 1 players of all time, one thing is abundantly clear: these legends have left an enduring legacy in the beautiful game.

Their skill, passion, and dedication to their craft have made them household names and a source of inspiration for aspiring players worldwide.

Whether it’s the artistry of their dribbling, the precision of their passes, or the sheer brilliance of their goals, these players have etched their names in the annals of soccer history.