Brittany, land of football and legends

Brittany, land of character and passion, has always vibrated to the rhythm of football. Legendary stadiums like Moustoir in Lorient or Roazhon Park in Rennes have seen generations of talented players who have left their mark on the history of this sport.

In this blog, we are going to discover these Breton legends who thrilled the supporters and carried the colors of their region high. We will establish a ranking of the 10 best Breton players in history, based on their track record, their impact on the game and the indelible mark they have left in the collective memory.

But football never stops and Brittany continues to produce exceptional talents. We will also look at the 5 Breton stars of today who are shining on the pitches of France and Europe. The Breton talent is still there and we can't wait to see what these players have in store for the future.

So, make yourself comfortable and prepare to vibrate with us to the rhythm of the exploits of these Breton players who have marked and continue to mark the history of football.

Top 10 best Breton players in history

Player selection criteria:

To establish this ranking, we took several criteria into account:

  • The prize list: The number of trophies won, individual and collective, is an important indicator of a player's talent and success.

  • Impact on the game: A player's ability to influence the course of a match and make a difference on the pitch is an essential element.

  • Loyalty to a club or to the selection: Players who have marked the history of a club or who have carried the colors of Brittany high on the international scene have been valued.

  • The imprint left in the memory of supporters: Pure talent is not enough, you must also know how to touch the hearts of supporters and mark their memory.

List of 10 players with a short description of each player and their career:

  1. Michel Platini: Ballon d'Or 3 consecutive times (1983, 1984, 1985), top scorer in the history of the France team.

  2. Raymond Kopa: Ballon d'Or 1958, winner of the European Champion Clubs' Cup with Real Madrid in 1959.

  3. Yvon Le Roux: 47 caps for the French team, record holder for the number of goals scored with the Blues (40) for 44 years.

  4. Jean-Pierre Papin: European Golden Shoe 1989-90, 5th top scorer in the history of Ligue 1.

  5. Didier Deschamps: Captain of the French team, 1998 world champion and 2000 European champion.

  6. Loïc Amisse: Winner of the European Champion Clubs' Cup with OM in 1993.

  7. Marcel Desailly: 1998 world champion and 2000 European champion with the French team.

  8. Bruno Besson: 4 caps for the French team, 175 goals scored in Ligue 1.

  9. Sylvain Wiltord: 1998 world champion and 2000 European champion with the French team.

  10. Anthony Réveillère: 2 selections for the French team, 354 Ligue 1 matches played.

Player records and statistics:

The prize list and statistics of the players cited are available on the internet and in specialized works.

This ranking is of course subjective and other players could have been cited. Brittany has always been a land of football and has given birth to many talents who have marked the history of this sport. The players present in this top 10 have all marked their era with their talent, their track record and their personality. They are a source of pride for Brittany and for French football.

Top 5 of the best contemporary Breton players

Player selection criteria:

To establish this ranking, we took several criteria into account:

  • Current performance level: The selection was based on the players' performances during the current season and in recent years.

  • Potential: The talent and age of the players were taken into account to assess their potential for future development.

  • Consistency: The ability of players to perform at a high level consistently is an important element.

  • The impact on the team: The importance of the player in the playing system of his team and his ability to make the difference were valued.

List of 5 players with a short description of each player and their career:

  1. Kylian Mbappé: 2018 world champion with the France team, top scorer in Ligue 1 3 times (2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21).

  2. N'Golo Kanté: 2018 world champion with the French team, best player in the Premier League twice (2016-17, 2017-18).

  3. Benjamin Pavard: 2018 world champion with the French team, winner of the 2020 Champions League with Bayern Munich.

  4. Corentin Tolisso: 2018 world champion with the French team, winner of the 2020 Champions League with Bayern Munich.

  5. Eduardo Camavinga: 2019 U17 European Champion with the France team, winner of the 2022 Champions League with Real Madrid.

Player records and statistics:

The prize list and statistics of the players cited are available on the internet and in specialized works.

Brittany continues to produce exceptional talents and French football can count on its Breton players to shine at the highest level. Kylian Mbappé, N'Golo Kanté and the other players in this top 5 are examples of the quality of Breton training and the passion that drives the players of this region. The future of Breton football is promising and undoubtedly has some nice surprises in store for us.

Comparison between Breton players of yesterday and today

Evolution of football over time:

Football has undergone considerable evolution over time. The game has become more physical, more tactical and faster. Today's players are more athletic, more technical and more specialized than their predecessors.

Differences in playing style between generations:

The Breton players of yesterday were often rough, combative players with great mental strength. The game was more direct and physically based. Today's players are more technical, more fluid and more precise in their passing. The game is more calm and based on possession of the ball.

Common points between Breton players of yesterday and today:

Despite the differences in playing style, there are common points between Breton players of yesterday and today. All are driven by a great passion for football, a desire to surpass themselves and a pride in representing their region. They all have a mind of steel and a thirst for victory which pushes them to always give the best of themselves.

Breton football has evolved over time, but the values on which it is based have not changed. Breton players of yesterday and today have all left their mark on the history of this sport with their talent, their combativeness and their passion. Brittany is a land of football and will remain so for a long time.