From Paris to Marseille, the biggest cities in France have perennially been the producers of some of the nation’s greatest footballers. Though the cities themselves get the plaudits, it is mostly the socially and economically forgotten suburbs of these cities where the talent can be found. 

The suburbs have harnessed the greatest footballing talents including the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Kylian Mbappé. In the age of identity politics and the rise of populism, footballing success for France has been twinned with the beautiful emulation of diversity and multiculturalism. The World Cup victories of 1998 and 2018, have held testament to represent the quality that the economically and socially neglected neighbourhoods have to offer. Many of the generational talents descend from France’s colonial past, a legacy that contemporarily shapes France and the makeup of its cities today.

The 1998 and 2018 World Cup triumphs came at a time where not only national pride was at its highest but tensions regarding race and identity were at the forefront. These sporting victories represented the epitome of sport and why we love the beautiful game, but there is far more behind the glitz and glamour that is superficially behind the facade of World Cup stars like N'Golo Kanté, Paul Pogba, and Thierry Henry. A story that is lived by many millions of ethnic minorities across France and the suburbs of its biggest cities. 

Historic View Behind the Makeup of French Cities