World Cup Final: France
July 8, 2006
FABIEN BARTHEZ
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Marseille
Age: 35
Caps: 86
Flamboyant goalkeeper who has been loved and loathed by French fans throughout a colorful career, which included key roles in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 victories. A controversial choice as No.1 keeper ahead of Gregory Coupet, Barthez has looked vulnerable to shots from distance.
ERIC ABIDAL
Position: Fullback
Club: Lyon
Age: 26
Caps: 13
A pacy fullback who likes to get forward in attack, Abidal has been a key figure in the Lyon side which clinched its fifth successive French championship this season. Back to full fitness after suffering a foot injury late last year, Abidal has become a favorite of coach Raymond Domenech since his debut in 2004.
WILLIAM GALLAS
Position: Centre-half
Club: Chelsea
Age: 26
Caps: 46
Has been a revelation for France after being given an extended run in his preferred position at the heart of the defense. Skilful on the ball and strong in the tackle, Gallas has shown the sort of form which have made him such an invaluable member of Chelsea's English Premiership-winning side.
LILIAN THURAM
Position: Centre-half
Club: Juventus
Age: 34
Caps: 120
The most capped player in French history, Thuram returned to international duty last year after retiring following Les Bleus dreadful Euro 2004 campaign. Has repaid Domenech's faith with some defensive displays that have been right out of the top draw. Man-of-the-match in semi-final win over Portugal.
WILLY SAGNOL
Position: Fullback
Club: Bayern Munich
Age: 29
Caps: 44
A long-term understudy to the now retired Bixente Lizarazu, Sagnol was a vocal critic of his treatment by successive French coaches but has now blossomed under Domenech. A skilful defender who started his career as a striker, Sagnol is adept at turning defense into attack.
CLAUDE MAKELELE
Position: Midfield
Club: Chelsea:
Age: 33
Caps: 49
Another one of France's golden oldies who came out of retirement to help the squad qualify for the World Cup. Makelele is widely regarded as the finest holding midfield player in the world and has been in superb form during the tournament, protecting the French back four zealously.
PATRICK VIEIRA
Position: Midfield
Club: Juventus
Age: 30
Caps: 93
Ferocious in the tackle and creative in attack, the Senegal-born Vieira is regarded as one of the best all-round midfielders in football today. Struggled with a groin injury last season but has played himself back into form at the World Cup with two man-of-the-match performances and two goals.
FLORENT MALOUDA
Position: Midfield
Club: Lyon
Age: 26
Caps: 18
One of a new generation of French players that Domenech has integrated into the old guard, Malouda is an elusive winger capable of troubling the meanest defenses with his ability to dribble at pace. A useful crosser of the ball, Malouda is a vital attacking outlet.
FRANCK RIBERY
Position: Midfield
Club: Marseille
Age: 23
Caps: 9
Over-hyped as the next Zinedine Zidane, Ribery has gradually grown in confidence over the course of the tournament. A dynamic, jack-in-the-box kind of winger, Ribery contributed an important goal in the second round win over Spain and is a key member of the starting line-up.
ZINEDINE ZIDANE
Position: Midfield
Club: Real Madrid
Age: 34
Caps: 107
Quite simply the finest player of his generation. The inspiration behind every significant French victory over the past decade, Zidane will retire from football after the World Cup final. Wonderful ball control, superb vision and a lethal finisher: Zidane is the complete footballer.
THIERRY HENRY
Position: Striker
Club: Arsenal
Age: 28
Caps: 84
Has never quite managed to reproduce at international level the mesmerizing form he displays for his club, but Henry is without question one of the top three or four players in the world. Has been forced to operate in an unfamiliar lone striker role at the World Cup but has still scored three times.