France are this year's hosts for the UEFA European Championships and while they boast of an incredible squad who understand each other excellently well, they're but a shadow of the former French national teams. Especially the ones who dominated and won in 1984 and 2000 with the likes of Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry – some of the world's best players at the time.
They were ruthless but beautiful at the same time – especially when they broke after trapping their opponents in a speedy counter-attack. While their attack often grabbed all the spotlight, the basis of their success was all done to their defence. They were strong, they were dominating and every one of them had a point to prove.
Here's looking at France's greatest UEFA European Championship XI:
Goalkeeper
France have had excellent goalkeepers over the past few decades – they have one now too in Hugo Lloris – but the greatest ever Euro goalkeeper will be Fabian Barthez. Back in 2000, Barthez was an excellent keeper who was then plying his trade with English giants Manchester United.
While he's famous for fumbling the ball into the net on multiple occasions, Barthez maintained a steady and confident self when on national team duty. At Euro 2000, in Belgium and Netherlands, he conceded four goals in three games in the group stages when France climbed out of their group finishing second.
France were then pitted against Spain – who weren't the superpower they are today – and managed to beat them 2-1. Barthez had no clean sheet but contributed heavily in ensuring his team had every chance to progress to the next round.
In the next two matches - that is the semi-finals and the finals - when they played Portugal and Italy respectively, Barthez would go on to concede one goal in each game but once again make important saves to finally win the title against Italy after added time.
For his contribution to the team throughout the tournament, Barthez was also on the UEFA Team of the Tournament.
Defenders
France have had so many excellent defenders over the years and the Euros, that it took us a while to boil down to four. Two of the four were almost obvious choices but the other two needed debates and considerations.
At left-back, France's greatest Euro defender was Bixente Lizarazu. The former Bordeaux and Bayern Munich left-back was essentially one the best ever left-backs the game has seen. With him constantly running up and down the pitch, Lizarazu was so much of a threat, the left-winger had it easy.
The first of the two centre-backs is none other than Marcel Desailly. The Ghana-born centre-back was excellent for France in 2000 where he was then also playing for Chelsea with whom he had a huge impact. Desailly was also on the UEFA Team of the Tournament with his performances and leadership qualities.
The other centre-back was Laurent Blanc. The current Paris Saint-Germain manager is also one of the best centre-backs France have ever seen. He was 31 at the time and was playing for Inter Milan who was then having a decent season in Serie A. His strength and ability to read the game was irreplaceable for the French.
The other obvious choice on this team was the inclusion of Lilian Thuram. At Juventus and 28 at the time, Thuram was probably the best right-back of his time. He was quick, he was strong, he ran the whole match and contributed excellently to attack making him the perfect all-round defender; a manager's dream.
Midfielders
The toughest choices to make was leaving out so many talented midfielders for France. They've had such strong and imposing midfielders over the years that choosing four for this formation was ridiculously tough.
Starting away, we have Didier Deschamps. The current France manager was the then-captain who guided his team to the title in 2000. He was one of the most complete midfielders who ran non-stop from one end of the field to the other. His contribution to defence was more than attack and acted as a focal point between the two departments. His tenacity and presence guided France in the best possible way.
The other central defender who is easily one of France's and one of the world's best midfielders is Michel Platini. The now struggling UEFA president was an exquisite player to watch. His passing was perfect – he starred and captained the side when they won the UEFA Euro 1984 often dominating the midfield battle making it look ridiculously easy.
Then we have the energetic and charismatic Patrick Vieira. A beast in the centre of the field, Vieira was such an important cog in France's 2000-winning Euro campaign. His tackles, defensive contribution, long legs and breakaway pace often dictated a lot of how France performed in their games.
The last midfielder and perhaps one of the greatest ever midfielders the world has seen is Zinedine Zidane. The current Real Madrid manager was a joy to watch. His passing, dribbling, analysis and exploitation of space was miles ahead of everyone else playing. He was often the star of France's 2000 campaign and made the headlines almost every time the team played in the tournament.
Forwards
Keeping in line with the formation we've chosen beforehand, we've gone with two forwards for the squad. Both of the strikers on this list were extremely crucial for their teams and whose goals ensured their team won the title.
First up is none other than Thierry Henry. The mercurial forward was a beast when on the ball. His unpredictability with the ball, his composure, his energy and goal-scoring prowess made him one of the world's best players. He scored goals for fun and most of them were worldlies that shook the stadium. Henry's contribution to the team earned him a place on the UEFA Team of the Tournament.
The second forward and last player on this list is the one who scored the all-important winning goal in the UEFA Euro 2000 final. David Trezeguet was only 22 at the time and scored for France in the 103rd minute sealing the title.
His pace, finishing and eagerness to run in behind defenders caused every opponent France played a problem. He had one of his best tournaments and for France, ensured that they won the coveted title.
Formation
France have had so many versatile players that they've often experimented with many of the stars. Zinedine Zidane has played in many positions, Henry has played on either wing and up top and that's just naming only a few.
With the kind of players on this list, it's safe to say the best formation – one that brought out the best in everyone – is the 4-4-2. The defenders sort themselves out. In midfield, Zidane plays ahead of the other three on the list. Makelele being the one who sits behind the most. What this spells out is essentially a diamond who have dynamic passers who will almost always look at the two forwards.
Thierry Henry on the left and Trezeguet on the right just ahead of Zidane is what we think France would've worked best with.
