Eric Cantona (Part 2)

Cantona's international career with the French national team was marked by highs and lows. After making his full international debut in August 1987, he faced a setback when he was dropped from the team in September 1988, leading to a controversial outburst against national team manager Henri Michel. Cantona's ban from international matches was lifted after Michel was sacked, and the new coach, Michel Platini, reinstated him to the national team.
Despite Cantona's presence, France failed to make a significant impact in Euro 1992, and Platini resigned after the tournament. Gérard Houllier took over as coach but faced disappointment when France failed to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Aimé Jacquet succeeded Houllier and began rebuilding the team for Euro 96, appointing Cantona as captain. However, Cantona's tenure as captain was short-lived due to the Selhurst Park incident in January 1995, which resulted in his ban and subsequent loss of captaincy.


Under Jacquet's leadership, Cantona, along with other notable players like Jean-Pierre Papin and David Ginola, was left out of the squad for Euro 96. Despite media criticism regarding Cantona's omission, Jacquet opted to focus on newer players who had performed well for the team.Cantona expressed regret at missing out on Euro 96 and stated in a 2015 interview that he would have extended his international career to participate in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, held in France, had he still been involved with the national team. Despite his resentment towards the French football authorities, Cantona continued to express admiration for English football, even supporting the English national team in major tournaments such as Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.


After leaving Manchester United in 1997, Cantona transitioned to beach soccer, becoming the captain of the France national beach soccer team. His interest in the sport was sparked by his brother Joel, who was already involved in the national team. Cantona played a significant role in promoting beach soccer, attracting fans to events and advocating for the sport's potential.
As a player and manager, Cantona achieved considerable success with the French beach soccer team. He led them to their first European title at the 2004 Euro Beach Soccer League and guided them to victory in the inaugural FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2005, held in Rio de Janeiro. This marked France's first and only beach soccer World Cup title to date. Cantona continued to coach the team in subsequent tournaments, including the 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, where they finished third.


Cantona led France to a fourth-place finish in the World Cup and narrowly missed out on a second European title, finishing as runners-up to Portugal in the Euro Beach Soccer League. However, Cantona faced challenges in subsequent years, failing to qualify France for the World Cup in 2009 and experiencing relegation from the top division of the Euro Beach Soccer League in 2010.
These disappointments ultimately led to Cantona resigning as the manager of the France national beach soccer team in 2011, after nearly 15 years of involvement with the team. Despite the setbacks towards the end of his tenure, Cantona's contributions to beach soccer were recognized when he was ranked fourth in an article titled "10 Legends of Beach Soccer" by France Football magazine in 2019.


Eric Cantona is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation and one of the best in Premier League history. Known as "King Eric" by Manchester United fans, Cantona possessed a unique blend of technical skill, creativity, and physical prowess that made him a formidable force on the field.
Physically imposing and hard-working, Cantona was versatile, capable of playing in various attacking roles. He had excellent ball control, vision, and passing ability, allowing him to orchestrate attacking plays and provide assists for teammates. Despite his size, Cantona had a low center of gravity, enabling him to maneuver effectively with the ball at his feet.


Cantona's leadership qualities, charisma, and commanding personality made him a key figure both on and off the pitch. He was known for his mental and physical toughness, as well as his defensive contribution and ability to start attacks from deep positions. However, his aggressive playing style and volatile temperament also made him a controversial figure, often attracting criticism for his confrontational behavior and lack of discipline.
Despite his talent, Cantona faced scrutiny for his inconsistency at times, particularly in international competitions, and his declining speed in his later years. Nevertheless, his impact on English football and his iconic status at Manchester United cemented his legacy as one of the game's all time greats.


Eric Cantona's involvement in various social and political issues demonstrates his commitment to advocating for change and standing up for causes he believes in. In 2010, he called for a social revolution against banks and encouraged people to withdraw their money from major retail banks in protest of the global financial crisis. This call to action sparked an online campaign for a bank run.Cantona embarked on a campaign to gather the necessary signatures for a bid in the French presidential election. His aim was to raise awareness and support for the homeless charity and campaign group Emmaus, showcasing his dedication to addressing social issues affecting marginalized communities.
Additionally, Cantona showed solidarity with Palestinian footballer Mahmoud Sarsak, who was imprisoned without conviction by Israel in 2009. Cantona signed a petition advocating for Sarsak's release, highlighting his commitment to human rights and justice on a global scale.
Through his activism and involvement in various causes, Cantona continues to use his platform to amplify voices and promote positive change in society.


Eric Cantona's personal life includes two marriages. He first married Isabelle Ferrer in 1987, with whom he had two children. However, they divorced in 2003. In 2007, Cantona married actress Rachida Brakni, and they also have two children together.
Cantona's family has a notable connection to football and entertainment. His brother, Joël Cantona, followed a similar path, transitioning from football to acting after retiring from the sport. Additionally, Cantona's cousin, Sacha Opinel, is also involved in football as a player. Furthermore, Cantona's nephew, Martin Cantona, plays as a goalkeeper for a university team in Montreal.

References

1.  "Ozieri, strani incontri in cimitero, Cantona visita la tomba del nonno". L'Unione Sarda (in Italian). 1 September 2012. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
2. ^ Auclair (2009), p. 13.
3. a b c d "The life and times of Eric Cantona". The Independent. 27 January 1995. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
4. ^ Crépin, Timothé (23 May 2016). "Auxerre, Marseille, équipe de France, Manchester United : les vingt dates de la carrière d'Éric Cantona" [Auxerre, Marseille, French team, Manchester United: the twenty dates of Éric Cantona's career]. France Football (in French). Retrieved 3 September 2021.
5. ^ Gault, Matt (21 November 2019). "The volatile world of a young but brilliant Eric Cantona". These Football Times. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
6. ^ "French in Front". New Straits Times. 15 April 1988. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
7. a b "Cantona returns to Old Trafford". The Daily Telegraph. 30 May 2001. Archived from the original on 13 May 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
8. ^ "Cantona a Nimes pour 10 millions de Francs" [Cantona in Nimes for 10 million francs]. L'Humanité (in French). 8 June 1991. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
9. ^ "Cantona packs it in". New Straits Times. 18 December 1991. Retrieved 25 January 2018 – via Google News.
10. ^ Hind, John (3 May 2009). "Did I Say That?: Eric Cantona". The Observer.
11. ^ Hercock, Richard (21 April 2012). "Exclusive: Francis sets the record straight on why Sheffield Wednesday did not sign Cantona". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
12. ^ Auclair (2009), p. 184.