Key defender

Italian forward Marco Delvecchio (C) is sandwiched by French players Marcel Desailly (L) and Laurent Blanc during the Euro-2000 soccer final match between France and Italy at Feijenoord stadium in Rotterdam, 02 July 2000.

French defender Laurent Blanc scores as Paraguay's goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert dives, 28 June at the Felix Bollaert stadium in Lens, northern France, during the 1998 Soccer World Cup second round match between France and Paraguay. France won 1-0 during golden goal extra time and qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals to play vs Italy, 03 July in Saint-Denis. (at L Parguayan player Celso Ayala)

Laurent Blanc was a key member of the French "dream team" that won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championships.

In central defence he and Marcel Desailly formed a veritable barricade at the back of that great France side.

Blanc also scored the golden goal against Paraguay that sent France to the 1998 quarter-finals, but a yellow card against Croatia after some disgraceful play acting from Slaven Bilic in the semi's ruled him out of the final itself.

Offensive

French defender Laurent Blanc leaves the pitch with his children after playing his last match with the national soccer team, against England, at the Stade of France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, 02 September 2000. AFP PHOTO-JACQUES DEMARTHON

He put an end to an exemplary international career in Sept 2000, making the last of his 97 national appearances in a friendly against England.

Born in Ales in the south of France, Blanc made his professional debut for Montpellier with whom he won the French Cup in 1990.

Catching the eye of scouts from Italy, the Frenchman moved to Napoli the following year, but his style was deemed too offensive for the defensive-minded Serie A and he was soon on his way home.

There he joined Nimes for one season before another move and a quiet two year spell at St Etienne.

His career was re-ignited when charismatic coach Guy Roux enticed him to Auxerre, with whom he won the domestic league and Cup double in 1996.

Cool

French defender Laurent Blanc celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Euro 2000 group D match againsr Denmark in Brugge 11 June 2000. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE)

Continuing his merry-go-round of clubs, he was off again to join Spanish giants Barcelona where he helped the Catalan club to the Cup Winners' Cup in 1997, although he played no part in the final.

His strengths were his solid technical skills, vision of play and coolness under pressure, abilities that he took to the controversial southern club Marseille in the build-up to France 98.

Marseille reached the final of the Uefa Cup in 1999, but were beaten 3-0 by Parma and he was soon packing his bags again, returning to Italy and a stint with Inter Milan.

Indian summer at Manchester

Lille's forward Dagui Bakari (R) tries to control the ball under pressure from Manchester United's French defender Laurent Blanc 18 September 2001 at Old Strafford stadium in Manchester during the Champions League firs round soccer match. AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE HUGUEN

Although by this time he was approaching his 36th birthday, he was still playing well enough to attract Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who saw Blanc as the ideal replacement for Jaap Stam at the heart of the Red Devils' defense.

French Laurent Blanc kisses the head of goalkeeper Fabien Barthez (R) 12 July at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris, after France defeated Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 Soccer World Cup final. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO OMAR TORRES

The move re-united Blanc with brilliant but eccentric goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, a partnership that became a familiar sight during the World Cup in 1998, when the defender kissed the bald head of his 'keeper as a superstitious ritual before each match.

As it worked out, it proved a lucky charm as France walked away with their first world title.

Following the 2002-03 season during which he added an English Premiership title to his honours with United, Blanc brought the curtain down on a wonderful playing career.