17 times Eric Cantona was the coolest footballer on the planet

Quick Reads
Eric Cantona celebrates scoring Manchester United fifth goal against Sundeland in the Premier League at Old Trafford, Manchester, December 1996.

Eric Cantona helped Leeds United win the last ever Division One title before becoming the catalyst for Manchester United’s dynasty under Sir Alex Ferguson. Most importantly, though, he was cool as f*ck.

Even in his retirement, the Frenchman did things in his own way, shocking the world by calling it a day just short of his 31st birthday.

We’ve decided to celebrate Cantona – his goals, his brilliance, his arrogance, and even his flaws.

The goal against Liverpool

The goal against Chelsea

The arrogance

The iconic celebration

Even George Best loved Cantona

“I’d give all the champagne I’ve ever drunk to be playing alongside him in a big European match at Old Trafford,” Best said.

His tribute to George Best

“After his first training season in heaven, George Best, from the favourite right wing, turned the head of God, who was filling in at left-back,” Cantona said after Best passed away in 2005.

When he mocked Alan Hansen

In fact, he always made for great TV

It takes a brave man to cross him

The Kung-Fu kick

And he really didn’t care

“My best moment? I have a lot of good moments but the one I prefer is when I kicked the hooligan,” Cantona said.

That press conference

He starred in one of the greatest adverts of all time

He even put Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his place

Sir Alex Ferguson adored him

His quotes

“I prefer to play and lose rather than win, because I know in advance I’m going to win.”

Cantona still remains cooler than everyone else

READ NEXT: The story of Eric Cantona and his incredible impact on Man Utd

TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every Premier League player to score 10+ goals in 1995-96?

1990s Eric Cantona Manchester United