David Ginola

David Ginola-Ceze (born 25 January 1967) is a French former professional footballer who later became a television personality, actor, model, and football pundit.

Playing as a forward, Ginola spent ten seasons in France with Toulon, Racing Paris, Brest, and Paris Saint-Germain. In July 1995, he moved to Newcastle United in the English Premier League. He later played for Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Everton before retiring in 2002. For the France national team, he earned 17 caps and scored three goals between 1990 and 1995.

After retiring from football, Ginola moved into punditry and acting. He regularly appears on BBC, BT Sport, and CNN, and hosts Match of ze Day, a Canal+ program broadcasting live Premier League matches. In January 2015, he attempted to run for the FIFA presidency but withdrew after failing to secure the backing of at least five national football associations.

Ginola was born on 25 January 1967 in Gassin, Var. He made his senior debut for Sporting Toulon at age 18 in a 2–0 win away at Metz in 1985. He played 14 times in his first season and became a regular by 1986. In 1988, he moved to Racing Paris, then signed for Brest in 1990, where his flamboyant style began to stand out. In 1991, he played a key role in a 3–2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, the club that would later sign him.

Ginola joined Paris Saint-Germain in January 1992, when the club was chasing major honours with financial backing from Canal+. He quickly became a fan favorite, admired for his elegant first touch and pace. His popularity held even after he admitted supporting PSG’s rivals Marseille as a boy and would have joined them instead. In his first full season (1992–93), he won the Coupe de France and scored in the final, and PSG reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals. At the end of 1993, he was named French Footballer of the Year by France Football.

In 1993–94, PSG won its second league title, losing only three times. Alongside Paul Le Guen, Bernard Lama, and Antoine Kombouaré under coach Artur Jorge, Ginola scored 13 goals in 38 games, making him the club’s top scorer. The following season, under new manager Luis Fernandez, PSG finished second in the league but won another Coupe de France and the first Coupe de la Ligue. In the Champions League, PSG shocked 1994 finalists Barcelona in the quarter-finals, with Ginola playing well, before losing to defending champions AC Milan.

In summer 1995, Ginola left France. Despite being a Spanish football enthusiast and expected to join Barcelona—Spanish media had dubbed him "El Magnifico" after strong performances against Real Madrid and Barcelona—the transfer fell through because Barcelona could not move on other foreign-registered players.

Ginola joined Newcastle United for £2.5 million in 1995, signed by manager Kevin Keegan as part of a push to make the club a major force. He debuted on 19 August 1995 in a 3–0 win over Coventry City, scored his first league goal on 27 August in a 2–0 away win against Sheffield Wednesday, and netted five league goals in his first season, including Newcastle’s second in a famous 4–3 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. Newcastle finished second in 1995–96, four points behind Manchester United, after leading by up to 12 points in January. In 1996, Barcelona manager Bobby Robson tried to sign Ginola personally, but Newcastle refused. Despite adding Alan Shearer for a record £15 million, Newcastle finished second again. Halfway through the season, Keegan resigned, and Kenny Dalglish took over; Ginola fell out of favour and sought a transfer.

Tottenham Hotspur signed Ginola in July 1997 for £2.5 million, joined by former Newcastle teammate Les Ferdinand. In the 1998–99 FA Cup sixth round, Ginola scored a memorable goal against Barnsley, dribbling past several defenders and finishing calmly for the only goal. In 1999, he was named PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year, becoming the first Premier League player to win the award while at a club that finished the season outside the top four.