Why France has many players of African descent

• 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 with African roots.

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 with African roots bring to the table.

WHICH PLAYERS FROM FRANCE NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM ARE FROM AFRICA?

N’Golo Kante. Photo/ Football Transfers.com.

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.

• 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)

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY AFRICAN PLAYERS IN 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 IS THE FAMOUS BLACK FRENCH SOCCER PLAYER?

There are many successful black French soccer players throughout history, but one of the most famous is Thierry Henry. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the French national team and one of his generation’s best strikers.

Henry is the all-time leading goal scorer for the France national team and was a key player in the team that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2000 European Championship.

He had a successful club career, playing for clubs like Juventus, Barcelona, and Arsenal. His glory among French players with African roots towers high, especially with his numerous individual awards.

The CBS Sports Golazo pundi won, among others, the FIFA World Player of the Year, the Ballon d’Or, and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. He was then inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

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.

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.

Thierry Henry. Photo/ Twitter.

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.