Table of Contents
- Having a diverse group of players in any sports team is beneficial
- For France though, it is a case of true continental diversity
- The net effect is that it leads to a more dynamic and well-rounded group
Having a diverse group of players in any sports team is beneficial, which is why there are many French players of African descent.
They represent different cultures and backgrounds, bringing different perspectives and experiences to the team. The net effect is that it leads to a more dynamic and well-rounded group.
Additionally, having players of African descent on the French national soccer team positively represents the diversity and multiculturalism in French society. Furthermore, African-born and African-descended players are an essential part of the French national team, contributing to the team’s achievements.
Moreover, they are an inspiration to the young generations in Africa and France. In general, diversity in sports is a positive thing. It brings different strengths and perspectives to the team and reflects the diversity in the larger society. That’s what French players of African descent bring to the table.
WHICH PLAYERS FROM FRANCE NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM ARE FROM AFRICA?
There are a dozen players in France who trace their roots to Africa. They are the proponents of cultural and sports diversity that France is famed for. Here they are.
Kingsley Coman. Photo/ DW.
- Samuel Umtiti (Cameroon)
- N’Golo Kante (Mali)
- Paul Pogba (Guinea)
- Blaise Matuidi (Angola and Congo)
- Ferland Mendy (Senegal)
- Kingsley Coman (Chad)
- Kylian Mbappé (Cameroon)
- Moussa Sissoko (Mali)
- Presnel Kimpembe (DR Congo)
- Steve Mandanda (DR Congo)
- Wissam Ben Yedder (Tunisia)
- Youssef Ait Bennasser (Morocco)
- Houssem Aouar (Algeria)
- Karim Benzema (Algeria)
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY PLAYERS OF AFRICAN DESCENT REPRESENTING FRANCE?
There are several reasons why large number of French players with African roots exists as espoused below:
FRENCH COLONIES
One reason African players feature in the French national team is that some African countries were colonies of France.
MIGRATION
In addition, there is a significant migration from those countries to France. As a result, many people from those countries, including those with football talent, have settled in France.
FRENCH FOOTBALL SYSTEM
Remarkably, the French football system has a strong youth development mechanism which identifies and develops young talent from diverse backgrounds. French clubs also have a history of recruiting young talents from Africa and other countries, which fed to the national team.
AFRICAN PLAYERS INTEGRATION
Finally, the French Football Federation has made efforts to integrate the players of African descent into the national team, recognizing their talents and contributions to the team.
WHO WAS THE FIRST BLACK FRENCH FOOTBALL PLAYER?
The first black French football player was Raoul Diagne. He was born in Dakar, Senegal, which was then a French colony, and he moved to France at a young age. He began his football career with the French club Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace in 1931.
Diagne played for the French national team, earning his first cap in 1931. He was the first black player to represent France in an official international match. He played for the French national team in the 1930s and was a member of the French team that took part in the 1938 FIFA World Cup.
Raoul Diagne. Photo/ Afrik.
The Senegalese-born football star had the powerful and precise heading ability, and was considered one of the best defenders of his era. So, he always comes up when history goes down on French players with African roots.
WHAT PERCENT OF FRANCE IS BLACK?
According to the latest data from the French National Institute of Statistics (INSEE) the population of France is around 66 million. And it is estimated that around 6-7% of the population is of Black African origin.
However, it’s important to note that the concept of race is not officially recognized in France, and the data is based on self-reported ancestry, which isn’t entirely accurate. Additionally, the percentage of the black population in France could vary depending on the source or method used to estimate it.
WHO WAS THE FIRST BLACK AFRICAN PLAYER TO PLAY IN EUROPE?
The first black African player to play professionally in Europe is considered to be Arthur Wharton. He was born in Jamestown, British colony of the Gold Coast (now Ghana) in 1865. He moved to England at 17, where he became the first black professional footballer in the country.
He played as a goalkeeper for several clubs, including Rotherham United, Sheffield United and Preston North End. He was also the first black professional player in the Football League, which is the oldest professional football league in the world. Wharton played at a time when racism and discrimination were prevalent in sport and society, and his pioneering career helped pave the way for future generations of black players in Europe.
