Eric Cantona played for Manchester United from 1992 to 1997, winning five league titles in seven years and laying the foundations for what would become a legendary era that still continues today.
Cantona’s career began in 1966, when at the age of 7 he was registered with S.O. Caillols, quickly standing out as an excellent striker. In 1981, he joined Auxerre.
He spent seven years in Burgundy, making his Ligue 1 debut on 5 November 1983 at just 17 years old. In 1988, he won the European Under-21 Championship with France, but he had already been part of the senior national team for a year.
His relationship with the French national team was always complicated. When he was not called up for a crucial away match in Czechoslovakia, Cantona—then at Marseille—became furious and insulted the coach live on TV. That would not be his last outburst: at Marseille he had violent clashes with the coach, at Bordeaux he left after just four months, and at Montpellier he slapped a teammate.
He returned to Marseille again, but there was still no connection with the coach, so he moved to Nîmes, where during a league match he even struck the referee after being booked.
This was the darkest period of Eric Cantona’s career. He was seen as a troublemaker, a “bad apple.” No one seemed willing to sign a player who, despite his brilliant talent, was impossible to control. He received a two-month suspension and, frustrated, decided to leave football.
He turned to painting, but Michel Platini, then coach of the French national team, encouraged him to return, believing France needed his talent. Platini suggested he try English football, where his character might finally fit.
After offering himself to several clubs, he was signed by Leeds United. In England, he was reborn — the physical, intense style of English football suited him perfectly, and his brilliance earned him the nickname “The King.”
In 1992 came the decisive turning point: he was signed by Manchester United.
For five years, Old Trafford fans sang only for him, and he repaid them by leading the Red Devils to numerous trophies.
But trouble returned. In 1995, Cantona lost control again and kicked a spectator with a karate-style move. The images went around the world, and once again he was in the headlines not for his genius, but for his temper. The English FA handed him an eight-month suspension.
Even during this period, he trained intensely. Youth players saw him staying late on the pitch long after the first team had left, preparing for his comeback.
His return was unforgettable. On 1 October at Old Trafford, Manchester United faced Liverpool. The stadium erupted as he walked out — a standing ovation. Cantona justified his nickname “The King” by providing an assist and scoring a goal.
However, despite his success in England, he was not appreciated in France. He was left out of Euro 1996 and the 1998 World Cup squad.
Disappointed by the national team and disillusioned by modern football, he left Manchester United and retired in 1998.
Since then, he has dedicated himself to cinema and theatre. But “The King” will always be remembered on a green pitch, with a ball at his feet, an opponent to beat, and a goalkeeper to defeat — always, and without exception, with his collar turned up.