Patrick Vieira

Patrick Paul Vieira (born 23 June 1976) is a football manager and former player who currently coaches the Senegal national team. Considered one of the finest midfielders ever, he was included in the FIFA 100 list of the greatest living players in 2004. Vieira started his playing career at Cannes, where his strong performances earned him a move to AC Milan. In 1996, he joined Arsenal for £3.5 million, reuniting with fellow Frenchman Arsène Wenger.

Over nine seasons in the Premier League, Vieira became known as a dominant box-to-box midfielder, aggressive and highly competitive. He captained Arsenal from 2002 until his departure in 2005, helping the club win four FA Cups and three league titles—including one unbeaten campaign. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for six straight seasons (1999–2004). After leaving Arsenal, he returned to Italy with Juventus but left quickly when the club was relegated for its role in the Calciopoli scandal.

He then joined Inter Milan, winning four consecutive league titles, before finishing his playing career at Manchester City, where he won another FA Cup. He retired in 2011. Born in Senegal, Vieira represented France internationally. He debuted for the senior team in 1997 after playing for the under-21 side.

Over twelve years, he earned 107 caps, captaining the team at times. He played in the finals of France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 victories, and also appeared at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, as well as Euro 2004 and Euro 2008. He retired from international football in 2010. After retiring, Vieira moved into coaching, managing Manchester City’s academy from 2013.

He left in 2015 to become head coach of New York City FC in Major League Soccer. He later managed Nice (2018–2020), Crystal Palace (2021–2023), and Strasbourg (2023–2024). In 2024, he became manager of Italian club Genoa, leaving in November 2025. Patrick Paul Vieira was born on 23 June 1976 in Dakar, Senegal.

At age eight, his family moved to Dreux, France; he did not return to Senegal until 2003. His parents divorced when he was young, and he never saw his father again. He received French citizenship at birth because his grandfather served in the French Army. His surname, Vieira, is Portuguese and comes from his mother, who is from Cape Verde.

Vieira began with Tours U19 in the early 1990s, then moved to Cannes, debuting at age 17 in 1993 and captaining the team at just 19. In summer 1995, he signed with AC Milan but made only five first-team appearances. On 10 August 1996, the Daily Mirror reported Vieira was moving to Arsenal after personal terms with Ajax fell through. He joined four days later for £3.5 million.

The arrival of Vieira and fellow Frenchman Rémi Garde, along with manager Bruce Rioch’s dismissal before the season started, suggested outside influence. Vieira later said he signed because his compatriot Arsène Wenger would become manager: “I am delighted to be joining Arsenal at the same time as Mr Wenger becomes their coach. Being able to speak French to him will make life a lot easier for me.” Wenger officially took charge by October, but Vieira had already made an impact, coming on as a substitute against Sheffield Wednesday on 16 September 1996.

The Times called him “a thinking man’s Carlton Palmer … who, at last, gives the Arsenal midfield some variety.” He made his full debut three days later against Middlesbrough and scored his first goal for the club on 8 December 1996—a late equalizer in a 2–2 draw with Derby County. His performances quickly made him a fan favorite, described as “the playmaker Arsenal have sought since Paul Davis pulled the strings in the 1991 championship-winning team.”

Davis noted that when Vieira was suspended over Christmas, Arsenal struggled to win. Vieira finished his first season with 38 appearances, and Arsenal placed third, missing Champions League qualification on goal difference. The following season, Vieira’s partnership with international teammate Emmanuel Petit was key to Arsenal winning the league and FA Cup double. He scored his first goal of the campaign against Manchester United in a 3–2 win on 9 November 1997, but twisted his knee and was out for a month.

He returned for the trip to Wimbledon on 22 December 1997, which was postponed due to floodlight problems. On 17 January 1998, he received his first red card for using “foul and abusive language” at referee Stephen Lodge. He was sent off again a month later in a League Cup semi-final against Chelsea, a decision Wenger called “absolutely ridiculous.” As the season neared its end, Vieira helped Arsenal overtake league leaders Manchester United, and his disciplinary record improved, with only one booking in the latter stages. After a successful World Cup with France...