5 best French players in the world right now (2022)

#3 N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)

France v Switzerland - UEFA Euro 2020: Round of 16

N'Golo Kante was a standout performer for Chelsea as they won the Champions League last season. The diminutive defensive midfielder was on top of his game in the knockout stages of the tournament, collecting man-of-the-match awards in crucial games.

Not only does Kante come up clutch whenever his team needs him, but he is also available to put in a shift any day of the week. Kante is arguably the best defensive midfielder of his generation, with his spatial awareness, tactical intelligence and ability to make interceptions simply being a cut above the rest.

Kante is as tenacious a player as any and he relentlessly hounds opponents and affords them no space or time on the ball. This makes him a great asset to any side as he is the kind of player that doesn't let the opposition settle down or control proceedings from the center of the park.

He is also pretty neat with his passing and can cause some damage whenever he forays forward and joins the attack. Kante has scored two goals and provided two assists for Chelsea in 21 appearances across all competitions so far this term.

#2 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)

Manchester City v Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Kylian Mbappe has been one of the best attackers in football for over five years now. That's why it feels a bit strange that he is still just 23 years old because it feels like he has been around forever.

Mbappe is a nightmare to defend against for opponents. His blistering pace, trickery and incredible shooting range make him as elusive and persistent a threat as any. He was lackluster at Euro 2020 but made up for it by scoring important goals in the semi-finals and final of France's UEFA Nations League triumph.

Mbappe continues to be the main man for PSG and while Neymar Jr. and Lionel Messi have struggled for form, the youngster has been a standout performer for them.

In 29 appearances across all competitions for PSG this term, Mbappe has scored 19 goals and provided 16 assists.

#1 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid CF v Valencia CF - La Liga Santander

Karim Benzema is one of the greatest strikers of his generation. The Real Madrid man has turned 34 but has been playing some of the best football of his career in recent times. Benzema was a standout performer for France at Euro 2020 as well, scoring four goals in four appearances.

He also shone for Les Bleus at the UEFA Nations League, where he scored vital goals in the semi-finals and final to help his side win the tournament. Benzema has played alongside some of the finest attackers in the game and has not had any qualms playing a supporting role for the majority of his career.

But this season, he has been Real Madrid's star man. He has led from the front, scoring 24 goals and providing nine assists in 28 appearances across all competitions this season. Benzema is one of the most in-form players in the world right now and this could prove to be a defining year in his illustrious career.