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Curated playlist

20th-century French sportsmen

  • Marcel DuchampIn 1917, Marcel Duchamp submitted a signed urinal to a New York show, and the committee turned it away.
  • Didier DeschampsDidier Deschamps is one of only three men to win the World Cup as both player and manager.
  • Thierry HenryThierry Henry was thirteen years old in 1990 when a Monaco scout named Arnold Catalano went to watch him play. Henry's team won 6-0, and Henry scored every one of the six goals. Catalano did not ask for a trial. He asked the boy to join…
  • Zinedine ZidaneZinedine Zidane scored two headers from corners in the 1998 World Cup Final. France beat Brazil 3-0 in Paris.
  • Manuel AmorosFootballer Manuel Amoros won the 1992-93 Champions League with Marseille. He later coached Comoros and Benin.
  • Just FontaineJust Fontaine scored thirteen goals in six matches at the 1958 World Cup.
  • Arsène WengerArsène Wenger led Arsenal through a whole league season without a defeat in 2003-04.
  • Michel PlatiniMichel Platini scored nine goals in five matches at the 1984 European Championship. That record stood for 37 years.
  • Fabien BarthezGoalkeeper Fabien Barthez once refused to defend a penalty until an official forced him back into goal.
  • Lucien LaurentLucien Laurent, a Peugeot factory worker, scored the first goal in World Cup history.

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