Eric Cantona

[The Biscuitman]

I always support England before France in tournaments, I feel more English than French - Eric Cantona in an interview yesterday with SKY Sports

Just honestly wondered how that comment would go down with the French public as I know the kind of reaction it would get here if it was reversed?

[Catel]

I'm not surprised. Cantona was thrown out of Marseille where he didn't belong - officially didn't tactically fit with Papin, actually for his arrogance - and out of the French Team for the same reason. He's a never-has-been in France and a living semi god somewhere in England (maybe not in Liverpool or in the Citizens houses). He's an adopted, I'd say.

[AfrcnHrbMan]

One time my friend asked me why I wasn't a big Cantona fan. Now it all makes sense to me.

[The Biscuitman]

I'm not surprised. Cantona was thrown out of Marseille where he didn't belong - officially didn't tactically fit with Papin, actually for his arrogance - and out of the French Team for the same reason. He's a never-has-been in France and a living semi god somewhere in England (maybe not in Liverpool or in the Citizens houses). He's an adopted, I'd say.

I had certainly heard in the past that Cantona had to leave France after falling out with people, manily over his arrogance.

When Cantona was on top form with Manchester United how was it reported in France? Where people really not interested by then or where there people demanding he play for the national team again?

Similar question on Ginola. He has said before that he had to leave France after a mistake that led to France not qualifying for WC94 but I have always suspected there was more to it than that. Why did he leave? Were people asking for him to return to the national team when he was playing well here?

[Ballon d'or Identity]

I had certainly heard in the past that Cantona had to leave France after falling out with people, manily over his arrogance.

When Cantona was on top form with Manchester United how was it reported in France? Where people really not interested by then or where there people demanding he play for the national team again?

Similar question on Ginola. He has said before that he had to leave France after a mistake that led to France not qualifying for WC94 but I have always suspected there was more to it than that. Why did he leave? Were people asking for him to return to the national team when he was playing well here?

In fact Cantona in England was very much followed. He made us discover the premiership in a way and is one of the reason why so many french players followed his path later.
Ironically even though we followed every week his adventures in England and watched him become quite big, he never quite had the same impact in France because he didn't have the same liberty nor had he really proved much when he had the french jersey on.
We probably were foolowing him in Leeds and Manchester out of pride because we were in a certain way very proud that a french football player was so highly praised in England. At the time there was him and Papin in Milan and that's it. And Papin didn't do much in Milan.
The fact that he was replaced by Zidane in 1996 during the euro made us forget about him more easily.
He's viewed here as a very talented player, but i wouldn't say he's a genius cause he never proved here what he did in England.

[Ballon d'or Identity]

As for Ginola, he was seen as a very talented player, incredibly gifted in fact. But he seemed quite arrogant about his worth, too individual on the pitch and his pretty boy's face and the attitude that went with it didn't help his image.
Those things do not go down well in France at all.
Therefore, the match against Bulgaria completly sank him. After that match there was no turning back for him with the french jersey.
To be honest now, it was harsh on him that he was the only one blamed for the defeat against Bulgaria, but when you only have ten seconds to play and you're qualified you don't make a pass in the box...when everybody's in defense.

[guignol]

i remember when ginola was POTY in england we boggled :eek:. can't be much of a league... how things change!

and as for the bulgaria match... everyone but ginola knew the match would end with him and guérin playing baballe around the corner flag... my son and i could have done it. instead...

but over the whole match (and let's not forget the israel match) the whole team was petrified, and we were lucky to get to that 90th minute anyway. so who knows? maybe ginola avoided us an even worse embarrassment in america.