David Ginola

Lore & Background

A forward, Ginola played for ten seasons in France with Toulon, Racing Paris, Brest and Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Newcastle United in the English Premier League in July 1995. He subsequently played for Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Everton before retiring in 2002. At international level, he made 17 appearances, scoring three goals, for the France national team between 1990 and 1995. Since his retirement from football, he has become involved in football punditry and acting. Ginola is a regular contributor to BBC, BT Sport and CNN. He has hosted Match of ze Day, a program which broadcasts live Premier League matches on Canal+. In January 2015, Ginola attempted to run for the FIFA presidency but withdrew after failing to receive the required backing of at least five national football associations.

Reader's Guide

Ginola made his first senior appearance for Sporting Toulon as an eighteen-year-old in a 1985 2–0 victory away at Metz. He played fourteen times in his first season, and by 1986 he was a regular in the Toulon line-up. In 1988, he moved to Racing Paris, where he remained until signing for Brest in 1990. He joined Paris Saint-Germain in January 1992. In his first full season (1992–93), Ginola won the Coupe de France and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup. At the end of 1993, he won the French Footballer of the Year award. In 1993–94, PSG won the second league title of its history. The following season, PSG won another Coupe de France and the first Coupe de la Ligue. In the UEFA Champions League, PSG knocked out Barcelona in the quarter-finals. In 1995, Ginola joined Newcastle United for £2.5 million. He made his debut against Coventry City on 19 August 1995 in a 3–0 win. He scored his first league goal on 27 August against Sheffield Wednesday in a 2–0 away win, and went on to score five league goals in his first season, including Newcastle's second in their 4–3 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. In 1995–96, Newcastle finished second. In 1996, Barcelona's manager Bobby Robson attempted to sign Ginola, but Newcastle refused. Newcastle signed Alan Shearer for £15m. They finished second again. Kevin Keegan resigned and was succeeded by Kenny Dalglish. Ginola fell out of favour. Tottenham Hotspur signed Ginola in July 1997 for £2.5 million. During the 1998–99 season, Ginola scored a notable goal against Barnsley in the FA Cup sixth round. In 1999, he was named PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year. He won the 1999 League Cup with Spurs. He was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame on 11 December 2008. In July 2000, Ginola joined Aston Villa for £3 million. In January 2002, he was banned for two matches and fined £22,000 for stamping on an opponent and disputing his dismissal. In February 2002, Ginola signed for Everton, playing five games before retiring in May 2002. He announced his intention to move into either acting or football coaching. Internationally, Ginola played for the France under-21 team at the 1987 Toulon Tournament and was named the tournament's best player. He was capped 17 times for France.

Did You Know?

• Ginola was known as 'El Magnifico' in Spain after his displays against Real Madrid and Barcelona.
• He was the first player in Premier League history to win PFA Players' Player of the Year while at a club outside the top four.