Éric Daniel Pierre Cantona (French pronunciation: [e'ʁik kɑ̃to'na]; born 24 May 1966) is a French actor and former international footballer for the French national team. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his career at Manchester United where he won four Premier League titles in five years and two League and FA Cup Doubles. Cantona is often regarded as having played a key role in the revival of Manchester United as a footballing force in the 1990s and he enjoys iconic status at the club. He wore the number 7 shirt at Manchester United with his trademark upturned collar. Cantona is affectionately nicknamed by Manchester United fans as "King Eric", and was voted as Manchester United's greatest ever player by Inside United magazine. Set against his achievements in football was a poor disciplinary record for much of his career, including a 1995 conviction for a 'kung-fu' assault on a fan, and at a press conference following his initial conviction Cantona gave his famous and cryptic "seagulls" statement. His disciplinary record, however, was much improved after he returned from the eight-month suspension right up to his retirement as a player two years later.Following his retirement from football in 1997, he took up a career in cinema and had a role in the 1998 film Elizabeth, starring Cate Blanchett, the 2008 film French Film, and the 2009 film Looking for Eric. In 2010, he débuted as a stage actor in Face au Paradis, a French play directed by his wife, Rachida Brakni.An inaugural inductee into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002, the museum states: "The enigmatic Frenchman was one of the Premier League's most talented, controversial players". On 19 January 2011, Cantona joined the revived New York Cosmos as Director of Soccer.
Looking for Eric, The Salvation, You and the Night, Elizabeth, The Overeater, Jack Says, French Film, Happiness Is in the Field, The Car Keys, Children of the Marshlands, Porn in the Hood, Papillon noir, Le deuxième souffle, Marie & the Misfits, De force, Hip Moves, Switch, It's Our Life!, Les rois...
TV Shows
The Football Years
Star Sign
Gemini
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Trademark
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Played number 7 for Manchester United
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Upturned collar on football shirt
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Quote
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"I don't want to know about France. I was born there but I feel English." (Speaking in 2004)
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When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.
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Fact
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Professional soccer player in England, UK playing with Manchester United Football Club. [1996]
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Retires from football. [May 1997]
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Rock band Ash used a photograph of Cantona kicking a football fan for the sleeve art of their 1995 single 'Kung Fu'.
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Won three soccer league titles for three different clubs, Marseille, Leeds United, and Manchester united.
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His name is still sung by the 67,000 people at Old Trafford whenever there is a home game.
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Played in 14 FA cup games for Manchester United. Never finished on the losing side.
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Scored 80 League and Cup goals for Manchester United: 56 with his right foot, 10 with his left, and 14 with his head.
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He scored 17 of the 19 penalties that he took for Manchester United.
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Sent off twice in four days whilst playing for Manchester United in 1994.
$8 Million
