Jean-Pierre Papin

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Papin earned his first cap in a friendly match against Northern Ireland in February 1986 and appeared at the 1986 World Cup. He scored twice in four games: first during France's opening game against Canada (1–0) and then during France's victory against Belgium (4–2), helping France finish third. During the qualifying campaign for UEFA Euro 1992 he finished second top scorer in the Qualifiers with nine goals behind Darko Pančev, and France was the only team to win all its playoff matches. At Euro 1992, Papin, suffering from the aftermath of an ankle injury, could not prevent France from failing in the first round, despite scoring two goals in three games. He initially said goodbye to the Blues after the elimination in qualifying for the 1994 World Cup, before being convinced by Aimé Jacquet to return. He scored his last goal in selection at Trebizond in Turkey against Azerbaijan (2–0) at the end of 1994. Papin played his last international match against the Netherlands in January 1995.

In Their Own Story

During the 1986 World Cup, Papin scored France's opening goal against Canada (1–0) and later added a goal in the 4–2 victory over Belgium, helping France reach the semifinal. In the Euro 1992 qualifiers, he netted nine goals, second only to Darko Pančev, and France won all its playoff matches. At the tournament itself, despite an ankle injury, he scored twice in three games. In the 1994 World Cup qualifiers, France collapsed in the final sprint: they lost against Israel (2–3 on a goal by Atar 30 seconds from the end) and then against Bulgaria (1–2 on a goal by Emil Kostadinov two seconds before the end of regulation time), which deprived France of participation in the World Cup. Papin initially said goodbye to the Blues after that elimination, but returned at the request of Aimé Jacquet. He scored his final international goal against Azerbaijan in late 1994 and played his last match against the Netherlands in January 1995.

Reader's Guide

Jean-Pierre Papin was selected for the first time in the French team during the Toulon Tournament in 1985 in Marseille with the number 14. The France team won the tournament, successively defeating Spain, Romania, Ivory Coast and England. Papin finished as the tournament's top scorer and scored his first official goal at the Stade Vélodrome against Spain. He earned his first senior cap in a friendly against Northern Ireland in February 1986. At the 1986 World Cup, he scored twice in four games. He did not appear at the 1990 World Cup because France failed to qualify. During Euro 1992 qualifying, he finished second top scorer with nine goals. At Euro 1992, he scored two goals in three games but France failed in the first round. In the 1994 World Cup qualifiers, France collapsed in the final sprint, losing to Israel and Bulgaria. Papin initially said goodbye to the Blues after that elimination, but returned at the request of Aimé Jacquet. He scored his last international goal against Azerbaijan in late 1994 and played his final match against the Netherlands in January 1995, before injuries and the emergence of the Zinedine Zidane generation permanently removed him from the selection.

Did You Know?

• Papin finished as top scorer of the 1985 Toulon Tournament and scored his first official goal at the Stade Vélodrome against Spain.
• He scored France's opening goal against Canada (1–0) at the 1986 World Cup.
• During Euro 1992 qualifying, Papin finished second top scorer with nine goals, behind Darko Pančev.
• Papin scored his last international goal at Trebizond in Turkey against Azerbaijan (2–0) at the end of 1994.
• He played his last international match against the Netherlands in January 1995.