Michel François Platini is a French football administrator and former player and manager. Regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Platini won the Ballon d'Or three times in a row, in 1983, 1984 and 1985, and came seventh in the FIFA Player of the Century vote. In recognition of his achievements, he was named a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur in 1985 and became an Officier in 1998. As the president of UEFA in 2015 he was banned from involvement in football under FIFA's organisation, over ethics violations. The ban lasted until 2023.
Just Louis Fontaine was a French professional footballer who played as a striker. He scored the most goals ever in a single edition of the FIFA World Cup, with thirteen in six matches in the 1958 tournament. In March 2004, Pelé named him one of his 125 Greatest Living Footballers at a FIFA Awards Ceremony.
Jean-Pierre Roger Guillaume Papin is a French football manager and former professional player who played as a forward, who is currently the head coach of Championnat National 3 club Marseille B. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1991.
Bixente Jean-Michel Lizarazu is a French former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
Football Club de Metz is a French association football club based in Metz, Lorraine. The club was formed in 1932 and plays in Ligue 2, the second division in the French football league system, for the 2024–25 season following their relegation from the top flight in the 2023–2024 season. They play their home matches at Stade Saint-Symphorien located within the city. The team is currently managed by Stéphane Le Mignan. Despite never winning the top flight, they have won the Coupe de France twice and the Coupe de la Ligue twice.
Franck Gaston Henri Sauzée is a French former professional footballer and manager. Throughout his playing career, he played as either a midfielder or defender, representing the France national team on 39 occasions between 1988 and 1993, scoring nine goals, and captaining the team several times. He achieved great success at club level during the same period, winning the 1993 UEFA Champions League Final and three league titles with Marseille. Later in his career he earned great plaudits for his performances for Scottish club Hibernian, whom Sauzée subsequently managed for a short period. Since ending his active involvement in professional football, Sauzée has worked as a football pundit for French television networks.
Mamadou Hamidou Niang is a Senegalese former professional footballer who played as a striker. He has represented Senegal at international level, participating in the 2004, 2006, and 2008 African Cup of Nations. He is the older brother of Papa Niang, who is also a professional footballer.
Daniel Edouward Boffin is a Belgian former professional footballer who played as a left winger and current football coach.
Bernard Lacombe is a French former professional footballer. He played as a striker, mainly with Lyon, Bordeaux and Saint-Étienne and the France national team.
Marouane Chamakh is a former professional footballer who played as a forward. He is described as a prototypical target man and is noted for his "link-up play", "tall stature" and "excellent heading ability". Chamakh is also Bordeaux's eleventh highest goalscorer of all-time.
Miralem Pjanić is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Russian Premier League club CSKA Moscow.
Ludovic Joseph Obraniak is a football manager and former professional player. He primarily played as an attacking midfielder. Born in France, he played for the Poland national team.
Robert 'Robby' Langers is a Luxembourgish former professional footballer who played as a striker. He was voted Luxembourgish Sportsman of the Year in 1987.
The 1984 Coupe de France final was a football match held at Parc des Princes, Paris, on 11 May 1984 that saw FC Metz defeat AS Monaco FC 2–0 thanks to goals by Philippe Hinschberger and Tony Kurbos.
Yohan Cabaye is a French former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Gueïda Fofana is a former French footballer. He was a French youth international and has captained at all levels of youth. In 2010, he captained the France team that won the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship on home soil. He operated as a defensive midfielder, but could also play as a defender and was known for his physical style of play. Fofana had been compared to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, however he was forced to retire on 18 January 2017 due to ongoing injury problems.
Yeni Atito N'Gbakoto is a professional footballer who plays for Danish Superliga club Vejle Boldklub. Born in France, he plays for the DR Congo national team internationally. He primarily plays as a winger, but is capable of playing as a striker.
Ismaïla Sarr is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Premier League club Crystal Palace and the Senegal national team.
Adil Aouchiche is a French professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for EFL Championship club Sunderland.
Georges Mikautadze is a Georgian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Lyon and the Georgia national team.
