Cantona Hero

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Cantona began his professional career at Auxerre, making his debut on 5 November 1983 in a 4–0 league victory over Nancy. He was part of the France under-21 side that won the 1988 U21 European Championship, scoring a hat-trick in a quarter-final against the England under-21 side. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his career at Manchester United. He won league championships in England and France in seven of his last eight full seasons as a professional. At international level, he scored 20 goals in 45 matches for France, appeared at UEFA Euro 1992, and was appointed captain in 1994. He was convicted in 1995 for an assault on an abusive spectator, receiving a two-week prison sentence reduced to community service on appeal, and an eight-month suspension from football that prevented him from participating at Euro 96. He retired from football in 1997 just before his 31st birthday.

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights at Old Trafford hummed as Cantona turned up his collar, a signature gesture that became synonymous with his Manchester United career. He wore the iconic number 7 shirt and was known for that collar. In his five years at the club, he won four Premier League titles, including two League and FA Cup Doubles. He was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players in 2004. But his career was also marked by fallings out with coaches and team-mates, and a poor disciplinary record. In 1995, he was convicted for an assault on an abusive spectator, receiving a two-week prison sentence (reduced to community service on appeal) and an eight-month suspension from football, preventing him from participating at Euro 96. He scored 20 goals in 45 matches for France and was appointed captain in 1994. He appeared at UEFA Euro 1992. After retiring from football in 1997, he moved into cinema, with roles in films including Elizabeth (1998), French Film (2008), Looking for Eric (2009) and The Killer (2024). He also debuted as a stage actor in 2010 in Face au Paradis, a play directed by his wife, Rachida Brakni. As player-manager of the France national beach soccer team, he won the 2005 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Reader's Guide

Cantona was a physically strong and technically skilful player with both creative and goalscoring ability. Mostly utilised as a deep-lying forward, he was also capable of playing as a centre-forward, a dedicated striker, an attacking midfielder, or a central midfielder. He wore the iconic number 7 shirt at Manchester United and was known for turning up his collar. He is affectionately nicknamed 'King Eric' by Manchester United fans. After football, he moved into a career in cinema, including roles in Elizabeth (1998), French Film (2008), Looking for Eric (2009) and The Killer (2024). He debuted as a stage actor in 2010 in Face au Paradis, a play directed by his wife Rachida Brakni. He also served as player-manager of the France national beach soccer team, winning the 2005 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Did You Know?

• Cantona was born in Marseille on 24 May 1966, the son of a dressmaker and a nurse and painter.
• His mother was Spanish from Barcelona; his paternal grandfather was Italian from Sardinia.
• He began his football career as a goalkeeper before moving up front.
• He was voted the Overseas Player of the Decade at the Premier League 10 Seasons Awards in 2003.
• Cantona announced his retirement from football in 1997 just before his 31st birthday.