Biography of Eric Cantona: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!

Eric Cantona is a French former professional footballer who played for clubs like Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his career at Manchester United.

During his 5 years with Manchester United from 1992 to 1997, he won 4 Premier League titles and 2 FA Cups. Cantona is often regarded as having played a key role in the revival of Manchester United as a footballing powerhouse and bringing attacking football back to the English game.

Cantona was born in Marseille, France in 1966. He began his professional career with Auxerre in 1983 before moving to Martigues and then Marseille. His controversial temperament often led to conflicts with managers and club authorities.

After short spells at Bordeaux and Montpellier, he moved to England to join Leeds United in 1992 where he was instrumental in their First Division title success. His move to Manchester United later that year for £1.2 million proved to be a masterstroke, as he helped revive the club’s fortunes.

What is Eric Cantona best known for?

• Revitalizing Manchester United and helping them dominate the newly formed Premier League in the 1990s. He won 4 league titles in 5 years.
• Bringing flair, creativity and an attacking style back into English football which was known for its physicality and long-ball tactics in the 1980s and early 1990s.
• His iconic chipped goal against Sunderland in December 1996, which is considered one of the greatest Premier League goals.
• His rebellious “bad boy” image, famous temper and several controversial incidents like kicking a fan in 1995 which led to a lengthy ban.
• His poetic cryptic comments and philosophical statements which earned him the nickname “King Eric”.
• Wearing an upturned collar on his shirt which became a fashion trend among Manchester United fans.

What are some key stats and records from Eric Cantona’s career?

• 182 goals in 394 appearances during his 17 year club career.
• 70 goals in 156 Premier League appearances for Leeds United and Manchester United.
• 4 Premier League titles (1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97)
• 2 FA Cup titles (1995–96, 1996–97)
• PFA Players’ Player of the Year: 1993–94
• FWA Footballer of the Year: 1995–96
• BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year: 1996
• 20 caps and 2 goals for France national team

What is Eric Cantona’s net worth?

Eric Cantona has an estimated net worth of $25 million as of 2024. During his playing career, he earned significant amounts through salaries and endorsement deals with brands like Nike.

After retirement, he has added to his wealth through acting roles, appearances, commercials and entrepreneurial ventures like cosmetics brand. Cantona also earns royalties from the continued sale of merchandise featuring his name and likeness, especially Manchester United merchandise.

He lives with his family in a luxury property in the outskirts of Manchester valued at around $5 million. Cantona leads a low profile life these days focused on acting and participating in beach soccer tournaments.

How old is Eric Cantona? What is his background?

Eric Cantona was born on 24 May 1966 in Marseille, France. As of 2024, he is 58 years old.

His father Albert Cantona was a nurse and painter, while his mother Éléonore Raurich was a dressmaker. The family lived in Marseille before moving to Les Caillols, a suburb of Marseille.

Cantona exhibited passion for football from an early age. He would skip school to practice sport and was expelled from school at the age of 16 after throwing a ball at the teacher. Cantona then took up a job in a bank before joining the Auxerre youth team in 1983 which marked the start of his professional career.

How did Eric Cantona’s football career start? His early years

Eric Cantona’s football career began when he joined the youth team of Auxerre as a 17 year old in 1983. He made his professional debut in November 1983 and scored his first goal for the club in December.

However, Cantona struggled to establish himself as a regular starter initially and spent brief periods on loan with Martigues and Marseille. He scored 12 goals in 55 games during his three years at Auxerre.

His career took off after he moved to Marseille in 1988. In 1989-90, he scored 12 goals and helped them reach the French league title. But his time there ended badly after a dispute with manager and Cantona throwing his shirt at him.

After short spells at Bordeaux and Montpellier, Cantona’s career was revived when he moved to Nîmes in 1991-92 scoring 15 goals. This led to his high profile transfer to Leeds United in England in February 1992.

How did Eric Cantona transform Leeds United? His impact on their 1991-92 title win

Eric Cantona joined Leeds United in February 1992 towards the climax of their promotion push to the newly formed Premier League. He immediately formed an effective partnership with striker Lee Chapman and helped motivate the team towards the league title.

In just 15 appearances, Cantona scored 3 goals and provided numerous assists. His creativity and technical ability brought a new attacking dimension to the traditionally rugged and physical Leeds side under Howard Wilkinson. Fans loved his fiery passion and swagger.

His pinpoint pass to Steve Hodge for the only goal against Sheffield United sealed Leeds’ promotion. Cantona then scored a hat-trick in their 5-0 win over Tottenham in the final game to clinch the last ever First Division title. His arrival proved to be the catalyst for Leeds’ success.

Why did Cantona move from Leeds to Manchester United in 1992?

Despite helping Leeds United to the 1991-92 league title, Cantona moved to arch-rivals Manchester United in November 1992 in a shock transfer worth £1.2 million.

There are several reasons attributed to this surprising move:

• Cantona had a poor relationship with Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson whom he called “selfish” and “sly”.
• Leeds chairman Bill Fotherby described Cantona as a disruptive influence and was looking to offload him.
• Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson recognized Cantona’s talent and relatively low fee.
• Cantona was enthused by the chance to join the bigger club and reignite his career after English FA banned him for assaulting a fan.

The transfer proved to be a steal for Man United. Cantona went on to fire them to 4 league titles in 5 years and is considered one of their greatest ever players.

How did Eric Cantona transform Manchester United’s fortunes?

Eric Cantona joined Manchester United in November 1992 when they were struggling in 8th position in the inaugural Premier League season. Cantona’s arrival transformed United’s attacking potency and helped inspire them to their first league title in 26 years.

Some ways Cantona revitalized United:

• Formed a legendary partnership with Mark Hughes. His assists, vision and creativity reinvigorated United’s attack.
• Scored many crucial goals including late equalizers and winners. His chipped goal vs. Sunderland in 1996 was iconic.
• His confidence, flair and passion rubbed off on the team. Cantona gave United their swagger back.
• He played a key role in the development of youngsters like David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.
• Cantona won PFA Player of the Year in 1994 and FWA Footballer of Year in 1996 as he led United to 4 titles in 5 years.
• He made United the dominant force in English football again and laid the foundations for their success under Ferguson.

What was Eric Cantona’s playing style and impact on English football?

Eric Cantona is considered to have revolutionized English football in the 1990s which was characterized by gritty physicality and long-ball tactics.

Cantona brought flair, creativity and an attacking mindset through:

• Excellent dribbling skills, control, vision and passing range. He could unzip defenses with his imagination.
• Intelligent movement and ability to play as second striker linking midfield.
• Amazing ball control and first touch along with thunderous shooting power.
• Sublime chip finishes over goalkeepers that became his trademark.
• Confidence to try the unexpected likehis iconic chipped goal against Sunderland.
• Strong personality that gave him a rebel image. Cantona played with swagger and passion.

Along with other foreign stars like Denis Bergkamp, Cantona expanded English audiences’ perception of what football could be. His style laid foundation for the Premier League’s global appeal.

What were some of Eric Cantona’s greatest moments at Manchester United?

Some of Eric Cantona’s greatest moments in Manchester United colors:

• Scored winning penalty in 4-2 shootout vs. Chelsea in 1994 FA Cup Final replay. Gave United first trophy under him.
• Brilliant match-winning chip vs. Sunderland in December 1996 voted as Premier League’s greatest ever goal.
• PFA Player of the Year 1993-94 as Cantona scored 25 goals

Conclusion

Eric Cantona will be remembered as one of the most iconic footballing figures of the 1990s and a legendary player for Manchester United. Though his career was relatively short at the top level, the impact he made was immense.

Cantona was the catalyst that transformed Manchester United from underachievers to champions again. His creativity, flair and alpha mentality revived attacking football in England and laid the foundations for the Premier League’s global appeal. He became a cultural icon who represented football’s rebel spirit.

Controversy and volatility were never far away from Cantona. But at his best, he was unplayable – a genius who mastered difficult skills with nonchalant ease. Cantona brought joy, passion and success back to United during the glorious early years of the Premier League era. That is why he will forever be remembered as ‘King Eric’ by the club’s fans.

FAQs about Eric Cantona

What number did Eric Cantona wear at Manchester United?

Eric Cantona wore the iconic number 7 shirt during his time at Manchester United from 1992 to 1997. The number 7 had been worn by club legends like George Best, Bryan Robson and Steve Coppell. Cantona lived up to its prestige by spearheading United’s resurgence in the 1990s.

Why did Eric Cantona retire so early?

Eric Cantona shocked the world by announcing his retirement from football in May 1997 at just 30 years old.

He had just led Manchester United to another Premier League title. Cantona said he retired young because he had already achieved everything he wanted to and lost passion for the game. He preferred to go out at his peak rather than decline slowly.

How long was Eric Cantona banned for after kicking a fan?

Eric Cantona was famously banned by the Football Association for 8 months after he kicked an abusive Crystal Palace fan during a game in January 1995. This was one of the heaviest suspensions ever handed to a player in English football. Cantona also faced criminal charges and 120 hours of community service.

What is Eric Cantona doing now after retirement?

After retiring from football in 1997, Eric Cantona focused on an acting career appearing in movies like Elizabeth and the Looking for Eric.

He has also directed films, done commercials, played beach soccer, supported charitable causes and been a brand ambassador for Manchester United. Cantona keeps a low profile avoiding the limelight he once embraced.

Why did Cantona have a popped collar?

Eric Cantona’s popped collar on his Manchester United shirt became a famous part of his iconic rebel image. Cantona said he initially popped his collar to keep warm but then turned it into his trademark style.

Fans imitated the look as they tried to emulate Cantona’s brash confidence during United’s glory years in the 1990s. It became a retro fashion symbol.