Reunion football: a land of talents and legends

Football is much more than just a sport in Reunion. A true passion anchored in the soul of the island, it gave birth to extraordinary players who left their mark on the history of local and international football.

This article aims to celebrate these exceptional footballers by drawing up a list of the 10 Reunion legends of all time, followed by a top 5 of the best contemporary players.

A rich and vibrant heritage

Reunion football has a long and rich history, dating back to the end of the 19th century. Introduced by the English, this sport quickly conquered the population, becoming an essential element of Reunionese culture.

Over the years, the island has seen the birth of exceptional talents who have carried the colors of Reunion high on fields around the world. Players like Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin and Dimitri Payet have had a lasting impact on football, inspiring generations of young Reunion Islanders.

An exceptional track record

The track record of Reunion footballers is impressive. Many have won prestigious titles, whether for club or national team.

Michel Platini, for example, won the Ballon d'Or three consecutive times (1983, 1984 and 1985), a feat unmatched to this day. Jean-Pierre Papin, for his part, won the European Champions Cup in 1993 with Olympique de Marseille. More recently, Dimitri Payet shone in the Premier League with West Ham United and Olympique Marseille, becoming one of France's most popular players.

A unique style of play

Reunion footballers are known for their flamboyant, technical and creative style of play. Swaying dribbles, precise passes and powerful strikes are part of their footballing DNA.

Their natural talent is often combined with a passion and grit that makes them formidable players on the pitch.

A talent pool for the future

Reunion football continues to produce promising talents who make supporters dream.

The new generation of players, led by gems like Moussa Dembélé, Florian Thauvin and Jordan Veretout, is ready to write its history and perpetuate the tradition of excellence of Reunion football.

A tribute to legends and current stars

This article is a tribute to the legends of Reunion football who have marked the history of this sport. It is also a celebration of contemporary talents who shine on the pitch and make the island shine internationally.

It is with pride that we invite you to discover the portraits of these exceptional players who are the passion of Reunion football.

Top 10 best Reunion players in history

Selection criteria

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

  • Individual and collective results: titles won, individual distinctions, participation in major competitions.

  • The impact on Reunion and international football: influence on the game, inspiration for future generations, influence of the island on the international scene.

  • Longevity and quality of play: long and successful professional career, technical talent and exceptional physical qualities.

Detailed presentation of the players

10th place: Laurent Robert

  • Biography: Born in Saint-Denis in 1975, he played as an attacking midfielder.

  • Career and achievements: Trained at Montpellier HSC, he notably played for Newcastle United, Portsmouth and Aston Villa. Winner of the Intertoto Cup in 2006 with Newcastle.

  • Playing style and main qualities: Technical and creative player, with a powerful and precise shot. Formidable on a free kick.

  • Impact on Reunion and international football: Contributed to making Reunion football known in England.

9th place: Jean-Pierre Bade

  • Biography: Born in Saint-Joseph in 1955, he played as a central defender.

  • Career and achievements: Trained at FC Nantes, he notably played at LOSC Lille, Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco. Winner of the Coupe de France in 1979 with Nantes.

  • Playing style and main qualities: Strong and rough player, excellent in aerial play.

  • Impact on Reunion and international football: First Reunion player to play for the France A team.

8th place: Florent Sinama-Pongolle

  • Biography: Born in Saint-Pierre in 1984, he played as a striker.

  • Career and achievements: Trained at Le Havre AC, he notably played for Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers and Atlético Madrid. Winner of the Champions League in 2005 with Liverpool.

  • Style of play and main qualities: Fast and explosive player, with good dribbling technique.

  • Impact on Reunion and international football: Marked the history of Reunion football by winning the Champions League.

7th place: Bernard Lama

  • Biography: Born in Saint-Joseph in 1963, he played as a goalkeeper.

  • Career and achievements: Trained at LOSC Lille, he notably played for Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United. Winner of the European Champions Cup in 1999 with Manchester United.

  • Style of play and main qualities: Agile and explosive goalkeeper, excellent on his line and in aerial releases.

  • Impact on Reunion and international football: First Reunion Islander to win the Champions League.

6th place: Wilfried Dalmat

  • Biography: Born in Saint-Pierre in 1982, he played as an attacking midfielder.

  • Career and achievements: Trained at AJ Auxerre, he notably played at Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan and Sochaux. Winner of the Coupe de France in 2004 with PSG.

  • Playing style and main qualities: Technical and elegant player, with remarkable vision of the game.

  • Impact on Reunion and international football: Contributed to making Reunion football known in Italy.

5th place: Dimitri Payet

  • Biography: Born in Saint-Pierre in 1987, he plays as an attacking midfielder.

  • Career and achievements: Trained at FC Nantes, he notably played at Olympique de Marseille, West Ham United and OM again. Winner of the Europa League in 2018 with OM.

  • Playing style and main qualities: Technical and creative player, with a powerful and precise shot. Free kick specialist.

  • Impact on Reunion and international football: One of the most popular and talented Reunion players of his generation.

4th place: Michel Platini

  • Biography: Born in Joeuf (France) in 1955 to parents from Reunion, he played as an attacking midfielder.

Career and achievements: Trained at AS Nancy-Lorraine, he played at AS Nancy-Lorraine, AS Saint-Étienne and Juventus. Winner of the Ballon d'Or three times in a row (1983, 1984 and 1985), an unrivaled feat. European champion with France in 1984.

  • Playing style and main qualities: Elegant and visionary player, with exceptional technique and passing. Excellent free-kick taker.

  • Impact on Reunion and international football: A legend of world football, he inspired generations of Reunion players and made the island shine on the international scene.

We will reveal places 3 to 1 in the next section!

Top 5 best contemporary players

5th place: Moussa Dembélé

  • Biography: Born in Saint-Priest (France) in 1996 to parents from Reunion, he plays as an attacker.

  • Career and achievements: Trained at Celtic FC, he notably played at Olympique Lyonnais and Atlético Madrid. Winner of the League Cup in 2020 with OL.

  • Style of play and main qualities: Powerful and explosive player, with great dribbling technique and clinical finishing.

  • Impact on Reunion and international football: One of the most promising Reunion attackers of his generation.

4th place: Jordan Veretout

  • Biography: Born in Ancenis (France) in 1993 to parents from Reunion, he plays as a midfielder.

  • Career and achievements: Trained at FC Nantes, he notably played at AS Saint-Étienne, Fiorentina and Olympique de Marseille. Winner of the Conference League in 2022 with AS Roma.

  • Style of play and main qualities: Technical and combative player, with good ball striking and remarkable endurance.

  • Impact on Reunion and international football: One of the most complete Reunion midfielders of his generation.

3rd place: Florian Thauvin

  • Biography: Born in Orléans (France) in 1993 to parents from Reunion, he plays as a right winger.

  • Career and achievements: Trained at LOSC Lille, he notably played at Olympique de Marseille and Tigres UANL. Champion of France in 2017 with OM.

  • Style of play and main qualities: Fast and spinning player, with precise technique and centering.

  • Impact on Reunion and international football: One of the most talented Reunion wingers of his generation.

2nd place: Dimitri Payet

  • Biography: Born in Saint-Pierre in 1987, he plays as an attacking midfielder.

  • Career and achievements: Trained at FC Nantes, he notably played at Olympique de Marseille, West Ham United and OM again. Winner of the Europa League in 2018 with OM.

  • Playing style and main qualities: Technical and creative player, with a powerful and precise shot. Free kick specialist.

  • Impact on Reunion and international football: One of the most popular and talented Reunion players of his generation.

1st place: Raphaël Varane

  • Biography: Born in Lille (France) in 1993 to parents from Reunion, he played as a central defender.

  • Career and achievements: Trained at RC Lens, he notably played for Real Madrid and Manchester United. Winner of the Champions League four times (2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018) with Real Madrid. World champion with France in 2018.

  • Playing style and main qualities: Solid and elegant player, excellent in aerial play and recovery.

  • Impact on Reunion and international football: One of the most dominant central defenders of his generation.

Reunion football is full of talent, past and present. These players have marked the history of this sport with their talent, their passion and their dedication. They inspired generations of young Reunion Islanders and made the island shine on the international scene.

The future of Reunion football is promising and there is no doubt that new talents will emerge to perpetuate this tradition of excellence.

Summary of key points of the article

This article has drawn up a portrait of the 10 legends of Reunion football of all time and the 5 best contemporary players.

Assessment of Reunion football and its future prospects

Reunion football is rich in a unique history and tradition. The island has given birth to talented players who have left their mark on the history of this sport, both locally and internationally.

The future of Reunion football is promising. Many talented young players are currently playing at clubs on the island and have the potential to follow in the footsteps of their illustrious predecessors.

Highlighting the importance of Reunion players in the history of football

Reunion players have played an important role in the history of football. They have helped evolve the game and inspired generations of players around the world.

Their talent, passion and dedication have made Reunion football an essential force in the international football landscape.

Tribute to legends and current stars

This article is a tribute to the legends of Reunion football who have marked the history of this sport. It is also a celebration of contemporary talents who shine on the pitch and make the island shine internationally.

Reunion football is a source of pride for the island and its inhabitants. It is a symbol of the passion, talent and perseverance of the Reunion Islanders.