Euro 2020 has caused football fever to sweep the continent and, whilst it showcases the best players from across Europe, not all of the talent comes from there – many of the best players in European Championships hail from Africa. In the 2018 World Cup, more than half of France’s squad were of African descent directly or through their parentage. Punters may well back France when they see bookies providing enticing offers and, even though they may think they’re betting on Europe’s finest who have grown up surrounded by the elite French coaching system, there are plenty of players such as Eduardo Camavinga who actually learned their trade in Africa.
Here we’ll discuss the best players to feature in the European Championships who are from African descent.
Zinedine Zidane
It’s true that France has a rich history of cultivating players of African ancestry, and over half of the 23 men in the winning squad at the 2018 World Cup had connections across nine African countries.
The greatest import France has made is without doubt their legendary attacking midfielder, Zinedine Zidane. Born in the South of France to Algerian parents, Zizou has referenced the strict upbringing given by his parents as being the guiding light he used for his career.
One of the most successful players and managers in the history of the game, Zidane holds dozens of individual and team honours at Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid and the France national side. In 2013, the 6’1’’ technically gifted attacker was voted for as part of the World Soccer Greatest XI of All Time, which demonstrates how much of an influence Zizou has had not only on his own clubs and country, but also on the sport at a global scale.
Zidane was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2000, scoring key goals in the quarter- and semi-finals, leading Les Bleus to their second European Championships title.
Rami could have represented Morocco
Adil Rami
Rami was part of the impressive 2018 France squad which won the World Cup and added an international honour to his trophies with Lille and Sevilla. Winner of both Liege 1 and the UEFA Europa League, Rami has lit up the footballing world at a domestic, European and global level.
Born in Bastia to Moroccan parents, Rami was eligible to play for either nation and, despite the African country trying their best to convince Rami to play for the Atlas Lions, he chose to represent his country of birth. The 6’3’’ centre back was awarded with the prestigious Knight of the Legion of Honour award, the highest French order of merit, due to his contribution to the World Cup performances and he’s certainly been a key figure in one of the premier footballing nations.
Patrick Vieira
Much like Zidane, Vieira was part of the France squad which won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. A generational talent with 107 international caps to his name, Vieira was actually born in Dakar, Senegal.
Vieira spent his formative years in France learning the game he’d grow up to excel at but, since his retirement, he’s taken time to go back to Senegal and coach in order to give others a chance at following in the footsteps of the 6’4’’ former holding midfielder. Vieira benefited from the structure French football offered and the UNICEF ambassador sees his coaching not only as offering help to those who need it most, but also as an educational trip to understand more about his family’s history.
Vieira reached the pinnacle of the game during his career and is widely regarded as one of the finest Premier League players in history. Captain of ‘The Invincibles’ Arsenal squad in 2003, Vieira led by example and dominated midfield, utilising his aggressive play and incredible intuition to win tackles and be in correct positions.
Having played for some of the biggest clubs in the world in Inter Milan, Juventus, Arsenal and Manchester City, Vieira used his vast experience to control matches and ensure stellar performances in major tournaments. The leadership attribute he developed has led to him taking up a career in management, with his most recent role at Nice finishing in 2020.
Jose Bosingwa
One of the most successful Premier League imports, Jose Bosingwa was an integral part of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side which dominated the Premier League in the late 2000s.
Bosingwa was a Portugal international, amassing 27 appearances for A Seleção; however, he was actually born in Mbandaka, DR Congo. After the 2009 loss Chelsea suffered at the hands of Barcelona, Bosingwa famously stated, “I don’t know whether he’s a referee or a thief”, which resulted in a two-match ban for the outspoken full back.
Despite relatively few appearances internationally, Bosingwa was voted for in the 2008 UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament after multiple exceptional performances which saw Portugal reach the Quarterfinals. A Champions League winner with two clubs – Porto and Chelsea – means Bosingwa is in elite company as one of the few players to manage the acclaimed feat.
Luis Nani
You may remember him as Manchester United’s failed successor to Cristiano Ronaldo, but Luis Nani has had an impressive career.
Nani was born in Cape Verde
Now 34, Nani has racked up an incredible 112 international appearances for Portugal but the winger is actually from Praia, Cape Verde. Representing Portugal at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 European Championships, Nani’s pace and trickery have wowed fans and ensured he is a role model for aspiring players.
Nani drove Portugal to victory and won Euro 2016, his only international trophy despite over a century of caps. Often viewed in direct comparison to compatriot Ronaldo, Nani is more selfless and generally uses his ability to create assists rather than shots on goal.
Nani is arguably more famous for his goal scoring celebration than his actual play, with the winger performing an acrobatic somersault whenever he finds the back of the net. The celebration reportedly concerned former boss Alex Ferguson who supposedly banned the player from performing the ‘leap of death’, but it was later confirmed that no such ban was ever in place.