Eric Cantona: The Soccer King Who Became a Star

Eric Cantona is a name fans love. He’s a soccer legend from France. People call him “King Eric” at Manchester United’s stadium, Old Trafford. His life is full of exciting moments. From his amazing soccer skills to the famous Eric Cantona kick, he’s unforgettable. He also acts in Eric Cantona movies and TV shows. This article tells his story. We’ll cover his Eric Cantona biography, Eric Cantona age, Eric Cantona height, Eric Cantona net worth, and more. Let’s meet the man who changed soccer!

Growing Up in France

Eric Cantona was born on May 24, 1966, in Marseille, France. His full name is Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona. He grew up in a small house with his parents, Albert and Eleonore, and two brothers. His dad loved soccer and played for fun. Eric wanted to be like him. At six, he joined a local team called JS Saint-Just. He was fast and strong.

Marseille is a sunny city by the sea. Kids there play soccer everywhere. Eric watched the Olympique de Marseille games and dreamed big. At 14, a scout saw him play. The scout worked for Auxerre, a big team. In 1981, Eric moved to Auxerre’s youth team. It was hard to leave home, but he wanted to be a star.

At Auxerre, Eric worked hard. He was tall—Eric Cantona height is 6 feet 1 inch—and good at scoring goals. He played his first big game at 17 in 1983. He scored his first goal soon after. By 1986, he helped Auxerre win games in Europe. But Eric had a temper. He got mad and got red cards. This showed he could be wild.

In 1988, Eric joined Olympique de Marseille. It was his dream team. He won the French league in 1989. But he argued with the coaches. They sent him to other teams like Bordeaux and Montpellier. At Montpellier, he won the French Cup in 1990. Eric was bold. If he didn’t like something, he left. In 1991, he played for Nîmes. He got in trouble for kicking a referee. This made people talk about him.

Eric’s early years were like a rollercoaster. He was a great player but got angry fast. His sports career started strong. He was ready for bigger things.

Moving to England: Eric Cantona Dates Joined

In 1992, Eric moved to England. He joined Leeds United in January for £900,000. England’s soccer was different—fast and tough. Eric scored in his first game against Wimbledon. He wore Eric Cantona number 10. Leeds won the league that year. But Eric didn’t like the coach’s rules. He wanted freedom.

In November 1992, Eric joined Manchester United. The date was November 26—Eric Cantona dates. The team paid £1.2 million. The coach, Alex Ferguson, liked Eric’s style. Eric’s first game was December 6 against Manchester City. He scored a penalty and raised his shirt collar. Fans loved it! (Fans today can still relive match breakdowns in articles like the Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons match player stats and game recap).

At United, Eric wore Eric Cantona number 7. This number was special, worn by stars like George Best. Eric played as a forward, his Eric Cantona position. He scored goals and helped teammates like Ryan Giggs. In his first season, 1992-93, he scored 18 goals. Manchester United won the league for the first time since 1967. Eric was the hero.

The next year, 1993-94, Eric scored 18 goals again. United won the league and FA Cup. Eric’s chip shot in the FA Cup final was amazing. He was 27—Eric Cantona age then—and at his best. Fans called him “King Eric.” He made United strong.

Eric’s move to England changed his life. He went from a troublemaker to a champion. His Eric Cantona dates at United started a golden time.

Soccer Star: Eric Cantona Stats

Eric Cantona was a top player. His Eric Cantona stats show how good he was. In his career, he played 532 games and scored 225 goals. At Manchester United, he played 185 games and scored 82 goals. In the Premier League, he got 64 goals. He also made over 50 assists, passing to teammates for goals. Fans who enjoy reading sports numbers might also like the Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets match player stats.

Here’s a look at his United years:

• 1992-93: 18 goals, won league.
  
• 1993-94: 18 goals, won league and FA Cup.
  
• 1994-95: 12 goals, missed games (we’ll talk why).
  
• 1995-96: 14 goals, won league.
  
• 1996-97: 11 goals, won league.
  

Eric won four Premier Leagues and two FA Cups with United. He also won one League Cup. Before United, he won Ligue 1 twice with Marseille and the French Cup with Montpellier.

For France, Eric played 45 games and scored 20 goals from 1987 to 1995. He was 21 at his first game. He scored twice at Euro 1992. But he didn’t play in the 1994 World Cup because of coach problems.

Eric’s stats are great. His Eric Cantona height helped him win headers. He could dribble and shoot from far. He was a forward who did it all—scored and created. His stats made United a winner again.

The Famous Kick: Eric Cantona Kick

Eric Cantona’s most famous moment wasn’t a goal. It was the Eric Cantona kick. On January 25, 1995, United played Crystal Palace. Eric got mad and fouled a player. The referee gave him a red card. As he walked off, a fan named Matthew Simmons yelled mean words. He called Eric names and told him to go back to France.

Eric lost his temper. He jumped over the barrier and did a Eric Cantona kung fu kick right at the fan. It was a high kick to the chest. Everyone was shocked. Guards pulled Eric away. The Eric Cantona kicks fan story was on every news channel.

The punishment was big. The soccer bosses banned Eric for nine months, from March to October 1995. He paid a £10,000 fine. A court fined him £500 too. Eric said sorry but explained that the fan’s words hurt him. Some fans said the fan deserved it. Others said Eric was wrong.

When Eric came back, he scored against Liverpool. United won the league and FA Cup that year. The Eric Cantona kick showed his fire. It was bad but made him human. He came back stronger. Fans who love revisiting live moments may enjoy guides like where to watch Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros.

Wise Words: Eric Cantona Quotes and Speech

Eric Cantona didn’t just play. He said things people remember. His Eric Cantona quotes are like puzzles. One famous quote came in 1995 after the kick. He said, “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.” People didn’t get it. Eric meant fans follow stars for fame.

Another quote was about a player, Didier Deschamps. Eric said, “He gives 100 percent, but he’s just a water carrier.” It was mean but funny. Later, Deschamps won the World Cup, proving Eric wrong.

In 2019, Eric gave a big Eric Cantona speech at a soccer award show. He talked about life and death. He said, “As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods. They kill us for their sport.” He talked about science fixing bodies but not souls. Fans loved it. They called it the best soccer speech ever. It showed his artistic mind, much like the creativity of Ramy Youssef.

Eric’s words are special. They make you think. His Eric Cantona quotes show he’s more than a player—he’s a thinker.

Leaving Soccer: Eric Cantona Retirement

In 1997, Eric shocked everyone. At 30, he quit soccer. It was May 15, after United won the league. Eric Cantona’s retirement came at his peak. Coach Ferguson asked him to stay, but Eric said no. He wanted new adventures.

After soccer, Eric tried acting. He was good! His first role was in a 1998 movie called Elizabeth. He played a small part but stood out. In 2009, he starred in Looking for Eric. He played himself, helping a sad fan. People loved it.

Eric also played beach soccer. He led France to win the world title in 2005. He coached a bit too, helping young players. But acting was his new love. Eric Cantona retirement didn’t stop him—it started a new chapter, just as actors like Mark Ruffalo and George Clooney evolved beyond their first careers.

On the Big Screen: Eric Cantona Movies and TV Shows

Eric Cantona is a movie star too. His Eric Cantona movies and TV shows are fun to watch. His first movie was Elizabeth in 1998. He played a French lord. In Looking for Eric (2009), he was the star. It’s about a fan who imagines Eric helping him.

Other movies include Les Seigneurs (2012), a funny soccer story. In The Salvation (2014), Eric played a bad guy in a cowboy film. He was in Marie et les Filles Perdues (2016) as a dad. In Ulysse & Mona (2018), he played a lonely artist.

On TV, Eric was in Beckham (2023), a show about his teammate. He also played a tough guy in AKA (2023) on Netflix. In 2024, he was in The Killer, a movie with action. In 2025, he’s in Schmeichel, about his old teammate.

Eric has over 30 roles in Eric Cantona movies and TV shows. He makes movies and helps tell stories. His acting is like his soccer—full of heart. His journey mirrors stars such as Jilly Cooper and Javier Bardem, both known for their artistry and cultural impact.

His Family: Eric Cantona Wife and Kids

Who is Eric Cantona off the field? Let’s look at his life. How old is Eric Cantona? He was born in 1966, so in 2025, he’s 59. Eric Cantona’s age doesn’t slow him down. His Eric Cantona nationality is French, and he’s proud of it.

Eric married Isabelle Ferrer in 1987. They had two kids: Raphael (born 1988) and Josephine (born 1995). They split in 2003. In 2007, Eric married Rachida Brakni, an actress. They have two sons, Angelo (born 2011) and another younger boy. Eric Cantona wife Rachida works with him on plays and films.

Eric loves his family. He keeps them private. He lives in Paris and likes painting and reading. His Eric Cantona height makes him stand out, but his family keeps him grounded—much like the elegant relationship between George Clooney and Amal Clooney.

Money Matters: Eric Cantona Net Worth

Eric made a lot of money. His Eric Cantona net worth is about $25 million in 2025. In soccer, he earned big at United—£20,000 a week. He got money from brands like Nike too.

Now, acting pays him. Movies like Looking for Eric made millions. He also owns houses in France and buys art. Eric doesn’t show off. His Eric Cantona net worth helps his family and his work. Other celebrities like Mark Ruffalo (net worth), George Clooney (net worth), and Javier Bardem (net worth) have also balanced fame and fortune successfully.

Why Eric Cantona Matters

Eric Cantona is a legend. He made Manchester United great again. Before him, they didn’t win the league for years. With him, they won four times. Eric Cantona’s sports career changed soccer.

The Eric Cantona kick made him famous for the wrong reason, but he learned from it. His Eric Cantona quotes make people think. His Eric Cantona movies show he’s more than a player. At 59, he still inspires.

Eric came from a small town and became a king. Fans sing his name at Old Trafford. He shows us to be brave and follow dreams. Eric Cantona is forever—his story belongs among other great profiles like the Bradley Christopher Gumbel life background and journey of Bryant Gumbel’s son.