Biography of Patrick Vieira: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
Patrick Vieira is a French former professional football player and current manager of Premier League club Crystal Palace. He is regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation and had a highly successful playing career spanning over 15 years. Some key things to know about Patrick Vieira:
Patrick Vieira’s Early Life and Background
- Patrick Vieira was born on 23 June 1976 in Dakar, Senegal. His family moved to France when he was still a young boy and he grew up in the Trappes suburb of Paris.
What was Patrick Vieira’s early/childhood life like?
- Patrick came from a modest background. His parents divorced when he was young and his family struggled financially at times.
- He did not have an easy childhood but found solace playing football on the streets where he was first spotted by scouts. His talent provided him opportunities to build a better life.
Where did Patrick Vieira play as a youth footballer?
- Patrick played for local youth teams in the Paris area like FC Drouais, CSL Trappes, and Tours FC as a teenager before getting his breakthrough at Cannes.
Patrick Vieira’s Club Career and Achievements
- Vieira began his senior career with Ligue 1 side Cannes in 1993 at age 17. He made his debut that year and soon established himself as a regular starter.
What was Patrick Vieira’s record transfer when he joined Arsenal?
- In 1996, Vieira joined English side Arsenal in a £3.5 million move, which was the record fee for a transfer of a French player at the time.
What trophies and honors did Patrick Vieira win with Arsenal?
- At Arsenal, Patrick won 3 Premier League titles (1998, 2002, 2004) and 4 FA Cups (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005). He was instrumental to Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ undefeated league winning campaign in 2004.
- Individually, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year 6 times consecutively from 2000-2005.
What was Patrick Vieira’s transfer fee when he moved from Arsenal to Juventus?
- In 2005, Italian giants Juventus signed Vieira for £13.75 million as a replacement for Real Madrid bound midfielder Emerson.
How did Patrick Vieira perform during his time at Juventus?
- Although his stint at Juventus only lasted one season, Patrick helped them win the Scudetto in 2006 which was later revoked. He put in some fine midfield displays but ultimately moved on as Juventus were relegated for their part in a match-fixing scandal.
When did Patrick Vieira join Inter Milan and how did he perform there?
- He joined Inter Milan in 2006 in a £9 million deal. In his 4 seasons at Inter, Patrick added 3 more Serie A titles, 2 Italian Cups and 3 Italian Super Cups to his trophy cabinet before leaving in 2010.
Patrick Vieira’s International Career with France
- Patrick earned his first cap for France in 1997 against the Netherlands.
What tournaments did Patrick play for France and how did he perform?
- He represented France at 5 major international tournaments:
- 1998 FIFA World Cup (winner)
- Euro 2000 (winner)
- 2002 World Cup (group stage exit)
- Euro 2004 (quarterfinals exit)
- 2006 World Cup (finalist)
- Patrick put in memorable world-class displays in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 triumphs. He missed out on the 2002 World Cup Final due to suspension.
What individual and team records did Patrick set as part of the French national team?
- With 107 caps, Patrick Vieira was France’s all-time leading appearance maker before Lilian Thuram overtook him.
- He served as France’s captain for many years including at the 2006 World Cup where he led them to the final.
- He was part of the iconic French team that won 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
Patrick Vieira’s Management Career
- After retiring in 2011, Patrick worked as Football Development Executive at Manchester City and coached their reserve team and youth players.
- In 2018, he took up his first senior managerial role at Ligue 1 club Nice where he spent two seasons before being let go in 2020.
- He is currently the manager of Premier League side Crystal Palace, taking over the role in 2021 on a three-and-a-half year contract.
What managerial accomplishments has Patrick achieved thus far?
- In his first season as Crystal Palace manager in 2021-22, he led the club to a 12th place finish in the Premier League.
- He gave several young talents like Conor Gallagher and Michael Olise a chance to shine last season.
- There is excitement and promise surrounding Crystal Palace’s future under Vieira’s management.
Patrick Vieira’s Net Worth and Endorsements
- According to reports, Patrick Vieira’s estimated net worth is believed to be around $22 million as of 2023.
How has he earned his wealth?
- The vast majority of his net worth has been accumulated during his playing days where he earned lucrative wages and contracts.
- He played for Europe’s biggest clubs like Arsenal, Juventus and Inter Milan during the peak of his career.
- His long international career with France also contributed to his overall income.
- Currently as a Premier League manager, he is likely to be earning an annual salary in the range of $3-$5 million per year.
What endorsements deals has Vieira had over his career?
- Vieira signed some high valued endorsement deals with brands like Nike, Samsung, Prozac and Fujifilm earlier in his playing career.
- He featured in Nike’s famous “Secret Tournament” commercial in 1998 alongside other superstars like Ronaldo, Zidane and Ronaldinho which greatly raised his global image.
- He was sponsored by football gear manufacturers Uhlsport and body spray brand Impulse as well.
Patrick Vieira’s Personal Life
- Patrick Vieira has been married to his wife Cheryl Plaza Vieira, who is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, since 2003.
- They have two children together – their son Kelyan (born in 2001) and daughter Prasia (born in 2009).
What charitable endeavors or social causes has Patrick Vieira been involved in?
- Patrick Vieira was active as UNICEF UK Ambassador since 2005 till 2009. He traveled with them on missions across Africa to promote awareness for children’s rights.
- His Patrick Vieira Goodwill Foundation aims to empower marginalized youth to build productive lives and have the resources to enrich their communities.
- He helped Soccer Aid for UNICEF charity over several years raising money to help children globally.
What hobbies or interests does Patrick Vieira enjoy outside football?
- Outside of football, Patrick enjoys family time the most but also uses outlets like reading books, playing other sports recreationally, listening to music, playing chess, watching movies etc to relax in his free time.
- He has expressed particular interest in history & geopolitics based books and podcasts. Patrick has a curiosity to constantly keep learning.
FAQs about Patrick Vieira
How did Patrick Vieira get his famous nickname?
Patrick was nicknamed “The Towering Inferno” by fans due to his exceptionally tall frame of 6ft 4in height combined with his authoritative presence and fiery leadership style seen on the pitch.
Why did Patrick Vieira leave Juventus so quickly?
Vieira spent only one season at Juventus before moving to Inter Milan. This was mainly due to Juventus being forcibly relegated to Serie B in 2006 following the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal that year, which made their stars leave.
What number did Patrick Vieira wear?
During the prime of his career at Arsenal and France, Patrick wore the number 4 shirt. The number 4 came to be associated with Patrick Vieira’s combative and dominating presence.
What is Vieira’s coaching philosophy and managerial style?
As a coach, Vieira believes firmly in “progressive football” – a fluid attacking style mixed with measured build-up play from the back. He gives freedom to players to express their creativity.
Why did Vieira’s move from Nice to Crystal Palace seem a surprise?
While many big European clubs were interested, Patrick chose ambitious project Crystal Palace which raised a few eyebrows. He saw it as the right challenge to make his mark as a pioneering Black manager in the Premier