Vieira, Patrick Donalé (1976– )

French footballer who won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championships. A strong, tall, ball-winning midfielder, he is known for his surging runs and fierce tackling. After a brief stint with AC Milan in Italy where he made just two first-team appearances, he was bought by Arsenal in September 1996 for £3.5 million. He spent the next nine years of his career there, played over 400 times for the club and developed into one of the most respected players in international football. He won the League and Cup double in his first full season at the club and, as captain, helped Arsenal win a further two Premier League titles in 2002 and 2004, as well as three other FA Cup trophies in 2002, 2003, and 2005. He returned to Italy in July 2005 when Juventus bought him for £13.7 million and in August 2006 he moved to Inter Milan where he won the league title in each of his first two seasons. He made his international debut in January 1997 and was part of the French squad that won the 1998 World Cup: Vieira came on as a substitute in the final against Brazil, and set up the third goal in a 3–0 win.

Career highlights

International appearances (1997– ) 105 (6 goals)

World Cup 1998

European Championships 2000

English League Championship 1998, 2002, 2004

English FA Cup 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005

Italian League Championship 2007, 2008

While highly regarded as a player, Vieira has suffered disciplinary problems throughout his career. In August 2000, he was sent off in consecutive matches for Arsenal, and was sent off nine times in total for the club, with another red card each for France and Juventus. In the 2003–04 season, he led Arsenal to an historic unbeaten season in the Premier League. In the 2005 FA Cup final he scored the winning penalty in a shoot-out against Manchester United.

Born he Senegal, he moved with his family to Paris when he was eight. He made his professional debut for Cannes in 1993 aged 17, and captained the side two years later.