Patrick Vieira is a midfielder with the ability and power to invoke fear into opponents and is one of the most respected footballers in the world.
Club
The Senegal-born Vieira began his playing career with AS Cannes in his adopted homeland in 1993 and moved to AC Milan two years later. Vieira formed part of the Milan squad which won the Italian title in 1996, but only made only four appearances before joining Arsenal FC for €5.7m after new manager Arsène Wenger had stipulated in his contract talks that the club buy the midfielder. Vieira won league and cup doubles in 1997/98 and 2001/02, became captain in August 2002 and lifted the 2003 FA Cup before guiding Arsenal to the 2004 league title without defeat and scoring the decisive spot-kick in the 2005 FA Cup final. That was to be his Arsenal farewell as he returned to Italy in a €20m transfer to Juventus. Vieira made a good start but a groin strain reduced his effectiveness. Juve finished top of Serie A but were stripped of the title and relegated, and Vieira was sold to FC InternazionaleFC Internazionale Milano for €9.5m on a four-year contract.National teamI
Made his international debut in February 1997 against the Netherlands and came on as Les Bleus defeated Brazil to win the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Vieira was a fixture in the side by the time France added the UEFA European Championship to their world crown two years later and has remained a vital player. He played in another World Cup final in 2006, but this time was substituted due to injury as France lost to Italy on penalties. Captained France during Zinédine Zidane's post-UEFA EURO 2004™ international retirement and was reappointed after he again bowed out in 2006.
Did you know?
Born in Dakar, Vieira left Senegal at the age of seven.
