Patrick Vieira
Central Midfielder · Arsenal · France
About Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira was the most commanding midfielder of his era — a towering, physical presence who combined power with technical quality to drive Arsenal to their greatest achievements. The Invincibles' captain, the World Cup and Euro winner, and one of the most intimidating presences ever to play the game. His battles with Roy Keane were the defining midfield rivalry of the Premier League's formative years.
Patrick Vieira's story
From Dakar to Gunner
Vieira was born in Dakar (SEN), Senegal, and moved to France aged eight. He came through the Cannes and Milan (ITA) academies before Arsenal's David Dein persuaded Arsène Wenger to sign him in 1996. At 20 he was already one of the best midfielders in Europe — within a year he was the best.
The Invincibles' Engine
Vieira was the heartbeat and captain of the 2003–04 Invincibles, going an entire Premier League season unbeaten. His duel with Roy Keane for the title of the Premier League's greatest midfielder defined an era. Keane himself said: "Vieira was the one player who made me feel I was in a real fight."
Life After Football
After retiring in 2011, Vieira became a coach, managing New York City FC in MLS before taking charge of Nice (FRA) in France and then Crystal Palace in the Premier League. He is known as a thoughtful, possession-focused manager in the Wenger mould.
Did you know?
- 💪 Vieira was sent off 9 times in his career — more than almost any other Premier League legend — yet was also one of the most respected captains the game has seen.
- 🤼 His midfield rivalry with Roy Keane is cited by every manager and pundit from the 2000s as the defining battle of Premier League football's golden era.
- 👨👩👧👦 Married Cheryl; they have children together and have lived between London and the United States during his coaching career.
- 🎯 He scored the winning penalty in the 2005 FA Cup final shootout against Manchester United — his final act in an Arsenal shirt before leaving for Juventus.
- 🌍 Born in Dakar, Senegal, Vieira chose to play for France — the country he moved to at age 8 — over Senegal, who he was eligible to represent.
- 📊 At 193cm he is among the tallest elite midfielders in football history — yet was technically gifted enough to play the Wenger way of quick combination football.
- 🏅 He was named in the FIFA 100 by Pelé in 2004 — one of only four Premier League players on the list alongside Henry, Scholes and Beckham.
- 🎓 Vieira completed his UEFA Pro Licence while at New York City FC and has spoken extensively about the importance of coaching education for former players.
- 👶 He signed for Arsenal having never played a Premier League game. Within 6 months he was widely regarded as the most physically dominant midfielder in England.
Honours
- Premier League x3: Arsenal (1998, 2002, 2004)
- FA Cup x4: Arsenal (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005)
- FIFA World Cup: France (1998)
- UEFA Euro: France (2000)
- Serie A x2: Inter Milan (2007, 2008)
See the full Patrick Vieira profile
Stats, photo gallery, what the press are saying and the daily challenge, free on DailyPlayer.
Open the full profile