William Vainqueur: My all-time France dream team

When we asked William Vainqueur to pick out an all-time dream team made up exclusively of French players, the midfielder produced a classy 4-3-3 moulded around the wonderful 1998 vintage.

Fabien Barthez

“For me he represents the history of the French national team. He was a wonderful, complete goalkeeper with bags of personality. He won the World Cup and European Championships with France, as well as the Champions League during his time at Marseille.”

Lilian Thuram

“One of the greatest defenders of all time. He had fantastic technical ability. He played at the highest level in Italy and certainly wrote his name into the France national team history books. I’ll never forget his brace against Croatia in the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup.”

Marcel Desailly

“He was a wonderful, tough player whether in defence or defensive midfield. He won it all, both with the national team and at club level. He played extraordinarily well in the 1998 World Cup and it was no wonder he later became France captain.”

Laurent Blanc

“Another of the key men in France’s glory years. He was a technically gifted player but had real elegance too. He complemented Desailly and together they formed a fantastic duo.”

Vincent Candela

“A fantastic player that was great in both defence and attack down his left flank. He combined elegance with technical ability. Was part of the national side that won everything at the turn of the millennium and of course he also clinched Scudetto glory here at Roma.”

Patrick Vieira

“Powerful, technically gifted and full of character. For years he was the first name on the team sheet for France and his various clubs.”

Claude Makelele

“A wonderful midfielder. It’s no wonder he played at the very highest levels of European football for many years. He deserves the same plaudits as Vieira – with those two in midfield nobody was getting through.”

Zinedine Zidane

“I believe he was the best player in the world, not just France. He had peerless class, ability and elegance.”

Karim Benzema

“I think he’s a brilliant striker, despite recent events.”

Thierry Henry

"One of the best forwards in French football history. He achieved great things wherever he played, reaching the Champions League final with Arsenal, winning it with Barcelona and playing a fundamental part in France’s World Cup and European Championship wins. An extraordinary player.”

Nicolas Anelka

“I really liked him as a striker. He had amazing talent, even if he won less than he deserved.”