Patrick Vieira

Dominant midfielder and World Cup winner who captained Arsenal and later managed Senegal.

Patrick Paul Vieira (French: [patʁik vjɛʁa]; born 23 June 1976) is a professional football manager and former player who is the head coach of the Senegal national team. Widely regarded as among the best players of his generation and one of the greatest midfielders of all time, he was named in the FIFA 100 of the greatest living footballers in 2004.

Quick Facts

Full name: Patrick Paul Vieira
Born: 23 June 1976
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
Height: 1.92 m / 6 ft 4 in
Position: Midfielder
Current club: Senegal (head coach)
Total caps: 456
Total goals: 45

Lore & Background

Vieira began his playing career at Cannes, where several standout performances garnered him a move to Serie A club AC Milan. In 1996, he relocated to England to join fellow countryman Arsène Wenger at Arsenal for a fee of £3.5 million. During his nine-year stint in the Premier League, Vieira established himself as a dominating box-to-box midfielder, noted for his aggressive and highly competitive style of play, an attitude that also helped him excel as captain of the club from 2002 until his departure in 2005. He helped Arsenal achieve a sustained period of success during his time at the club, where he lifted four FA Cups and three league titles, including one unbeaten. He was named in the Premier League PFA Team of the Year for six consecutive years from 1999 to 2004. He returned to Italy, playing for Juventus, but quickly departed after the club was relegated as punishment for its part in the Calciopoli scandal. He then signed for Inter Milan, where he consecutively won four league titles, before featuring for Manchester City, where he won another FA Cup, before retiring in 2011. Born in Senegal, Vieira represented France at international level. He initially played for the under-21 team before making his debut for the senior team in 1997. Over a period of twelve years, including time as team captain, he made 107 appearances for the side. He played in the finals of France's victories at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. He also appeared at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, as well as Euro 2004 and Euro 2008, before retiring from international football in 2010. Following retirement, Vieira transitioned into coaching and took charge of the academy at Manchester City in 2013. He departed two years later to become manager of Major League Soccer club New York City FC. He subsequently managed Ligue 1 club Nice between 2018 and 2020, Premier League side Crystal Palace between 2021 and 2023, and Ligue 1 club Strasbourg between 2023 and 2024. In 2024, he became manager of Italian club Genoa and left in November 2025.

Reader's Guide

Vieira joined Arsenal on 10 August 1996 for £3.5 million. He later revealed he signed because Arsène Wenger was going to be the club's next manager, though Wenger was not officially in command until October. Vieira made his full debut against Middlesbrough three days after his first substitute appearance against Sheffield Wednesday on 16 September 1996. He scored his first goal for Arsenal against Derby County on 8 December 1996. In January 1998, Vieira received his first red card for using 'foul and abusive language' at referee Stephen Lodge in a game against Coventry City. A month later, he was dismissed in a League Cup semi-final against Chelsea, a decision Wenger described as 'absolutely ridiculous'.

Did You Know?

Vieira was born in Dakar, Senegal, and moved to Dreux, France, at age eight.
He captained Cannes at just 19 years old.
Vieira was sent off on the opening day of the 2000–01 season against Sunderland and again 72 hours later against Liverpool.
He claimed he was the target of racial abuse from Siniša Mihajlović during a Champions League match against Lazio in October 2000.