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Patrick Vieira (born 23 June 1976) is a French professional football manager and former player. Widely considered as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Vieira began his playing career at Cannes, where several standout performances garnered him a move to Serie A club Milan.
In 1996, he relocated to England to join fellow countryman Arsène Wenger at Arsenal for a fee of £3.5 million. During his nine-year stint in the Premier League, Vieira established himself as a dominating box-to-box midfielder, noted for his aggressive and highly competitive style of play, an attitude that also helped him excel as captain of the club from 2002 until his departure in 2005. He helped Arsenal achieve a sustained period of success during his time at the club, where he lifted four FA Cups and three league titles, including one unbeaten. He was named in the Premier League PFA Team of the Year for six consecutive years from 1999 to 2004.
He then returned to Italy, playing for Juventus, but quickly departed after the club was relegated as punishment for its part in the Calciopoli scandal. He then signed for Inter Milan, where he consecutively won four league titles, before featuring for Manchester City, where he won another FA Cup before retiring in 2011.
Vieira featured at senior level for much of his international career, representing France over a period of 12 years, where he also spent some part as captain. He played in the final in his nation's victorious campaign at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and featured heavily as the team also won UEFA Euro 2000. He also appeared for France at the 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004, in the side that finished runners-up in the 2006 World Cup, and at Euro 2008, before retiring from international competition in 2010, having made 107 appearances for the side.
Following retirement, Vieira transitioned into coaching, and took charge of the academy at Manchester City in 2013. He departed two years later to sign for Major League Soccer (MLS) club New York City FC. He subsequently returned to France to manage Ligue 1 club Nice from 2018 until his dismissal in 2020. He was subsequently manager of Premier League club Crystal Palace from 2021 until his dismissal in 2023.
Career Honours 
Premier League Hall of Fame
2022
Arsenal | 
FA Cup
2010-2011
Manchester City | 
Serie A
2008-2009
Inter | 
Supercoppa Italiana
2008
Inter |
Serie A
2007-2008
Inter |
Serie A
2006-2007
Juventus |
Supercoppa Italiana
2006
Juventus |
FA Cup
2004-2005
Arsenal |
FA Community Shield
2004
Arsenal | 
Premier League
2003-2004
Arsenal |
FA Cup
2002-2003
Arsenal |
FA Community Shield
2002
Arsenal |
Premier League
2001-2002
Arsenal |
FA Cup
2001-2002
Arsenal | 
FIFA Confederations Cup
2001
Arsenal | 
UEFA Team of the Year
2001
Arsenal |
Premier League Player of the Season
2000-2001
Arsenal | 
UEFA European Championship
2000
Arsenal |
FA Community Shield
1999
Arsenal | 
FIFA World Cup
1998
France |
FA Community Shield
1998
Arsenal |
Premier League
1997-1998
Arsenal |
FA Cup
1997-1998
Arsenal |
Career MilestonesFormer Youth Teams
1991-1993 |
Former Senior Teams
1994-1995 |
1995-1996 |
1995-1996 |
1996-2005 |
1997-2009 |
2005-2006 |
2006-2010 |
2010-2011 |
|
Former Club Staff
2016-2018
Manager |
2018-2020
Manager |
2021-2023
Manager |
Contracts Fanart 
Banner
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| Manchester City | Appearances | EFL Cup | 2010-2011 | 1 |
| Manchester City | Appearances | FA Cup | 2010-2011 | 8 |
| Manchester City | Appearances | UEFA Europa League | 2010-2011 | 8 |
| Manchester City | Appearances | English Premier League | 2010-2011 | 15 |
| Manchester City | Assists | English Premier League | 2010-2011 | 1 |
| Manchester City | Assists | UEFA Europa League | 2010-2011 | 2 |
| Manchester City | Goals | English Premier League | 2010-2011 | 2 |
| Manchester City | Goals | FA Cup | 2010-2011 | 3 |
| Manchester City | Mins Played | EFL Cup | 2010-2011 | 90 |
| Manchester City | Mins Played | English Premier League | 2010-2011 | 488 |
| Manchester City | Mins Played | FA Cup | 2010-2011 | 523 |
| Manchester City | Mins Played | UEFA Europa League | 2010-2011 | 562 |
|
|
| Inter | Appearances | Coppa Italia | 2009-2010 | 1 |
| Manchester City | Appearances | FA Cup | 2009-2010 | 1 |
| Inter | Appearances | Supercoppa Italiana | 2009-2010 | 1 |
| Inter | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2009-2010 | 2 |
| Inter | Appearances | Italian Serie A | 2009-2010 | 12 |
| Manchester City | Appearances | English Premier League | 2009-2010 | 13 |
| Inter | Assists | Italian Serie A | 2009-2010 | 1 |
| Manchester City | Assists | English Premier League | 2009-2010 | 2 |
| Manchester City | Goals | English Premier League | 2009-2010 | 1 |
| Inter | Goals | Italian Serie A | 2009-2010 | 1 |
| Inter | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2009-2010 | 15 |
| Manchester City | Mins Played | FA Cup | 2009-2010 | 17 |
| Inter | Mins Played | Supercoppa Italiana | 2009-2010 | 21 |
| Inter | Mins Played | Coppa Italia | 2009-2010 | 90 |
| Inter | Mins Played | Italian Serie A | 2009-2010 | 633 |
| Manchester City | Mins Played | English Premier League | 2009-2010 | 811 |
|
|
| France | Appearances | International Friendlies | 2009 | 1 |
| France | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2009 | 90 |
|
|
| Inter | Appearances | Coppa Italia | 2008-2009 | 2 |
| Inter | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2008-2009 | 3 |
| Inter | Appearances | Italian Serie A | 2008-2009 | 19 |
| Inter | Assists | Italian Serie A | 2008-2009 | 1 |
| Inter | Goals | Italian Serie A | 2008-2009 | 1 |
| Inter | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2008-2009 | 140 |
| Inter | Mins Played | Coppa Italia | 2008-2009 | 144 |
| Inter | Mins Played | Italian Serie A | 2008-2009 | 988 |
|
|
| France | Appearances | International Friendlies | 2008 | 2 |
| France | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2008 | 127 |
|
|
| Inter | Appearances | Supercoppa Italiana | 2007-2008 | 1 |
| Inter | Appearances | Coppa Italia | 2007-2008 | 3 |
| Inter | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2007-2008 | 3 |
| Inter | Appearances | Italian Serie A | 2007-2008 | 16 |
| Inter | Assists | Italian Serie A | 2007-2008 | 3 |
| Inter | Goals | Italian Serie A | 2007-2008 | 3 |
| Inter | Mins Played | Supercoppa Italiana | 2007-2008 | 67 |
| Inter | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2007-2008 | 129 |
| Inter | Mins Played | Coppa Italia | 2007-2008 | 136 |
| Inter | Mins Played | Italian Serie A | 2007-2008 | 1,104 |
|
|
| France | Appearances | International Friendlies | 2007 | 2 |
| France | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 2007 | 2 |
| France | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2007 | 149 |
| France | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 2007 | 159 |
|
|
| Inter | Appearances | Supercoppa Italiana | 2006-2007 | 1 |
| Inter | Appearances | Coppa Italia | 2006-2007 | 3 |
| Inter | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2006-2007 | 4 |
| Inter | Appearances | Italian Serie A | 2006-2007 | 20 |
| Inter | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 2006-2007 | 1 |
| Inter | Assists | Italian Serie A | 2006-2007 | 3 |
| Inter | Goals | Italian Serie A | 2006-2007 | 1 |
| Inter | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 2006-2007 | 1 |
| Inter | Goals | Supercoppa Italiana | 2006-2007 | 2 |
| Inter | Mins Played | Supercoppa Italiana | 2006-2007 | 120 |
| Inter | Mins Played | Coppa Italia | 2006-2007 | 155 |
| Inter | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2006-2007 | 338 |
| Inter | Mins Played | Italian Serie A | 2006-2007 | 1,693 |
|
|
| France | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 2006 | 4 |
| France | Appearances | International Friendlies | 2006 | 6 |
| France | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 2006 | 7 |
| France | Assists | FIFA World Cup | 2006 | 2 |
| France | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 2006 | 2 |
| France | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2006 | 480 |
| France | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 2006 | 587 |
| France | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 2006 | 360 |
|
|
| Juventus | Appearances | Supercoppa Italiana | 2005-2006 | 1 |
| Juventus | Appearances | Coppa Italia | 2005-2006 | 3 |
| Juventus | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2005-2006 | 7 |
| Juventus | Appearances | Italian Serie A | 2005-2006 | 31 |
| Juventus | Assists | Coppa Italia | 2005-2006 | 1 |
| Juventus | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 2005-2006 | 2 |
| Juventus | Assists | Italian Serie A | 2005-2006 | 5 |
| Juventus | Goals | Italian Serie A | 2005-2006 | 5 |
| Juventus | Mins Played | Supercoppa Italiana | 2005-2006 | 120 |
| Juventus | Mins Played | Coppa Italia | 2005-2006 | 270 |
| Juventus | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2005-2006 | 629 |
| Juventus | Mins Played | Italian Serie A | 2005-2006 | 2,767 |
|
|
| France | Appearances | International Friendlies | 2005 | 1 |
| France | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 2005 | 6 |
| France | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2005 | 90 |
| France | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 2005 | 475 |
|
|
| Arsenal | Appearances | FA Cup | 2004-2005 | 6 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2004-2005 | 6 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | English Premier League | 2004-2005 | 32 |
| Arsenal | Assists | FA Cup | 2004-2005 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 2004-2005 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Assists | English Premier League | 2004-2005 | 5 |
| Arsenal | Goals | FA Cup | 2004-2005 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Goals | English Premier League | 2004-2005 | 6 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2004-2005 | 528 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | FA Cup | 2004-2005 | 600 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | English Premier League | 2004-2005 | 2,798 |
|
|
| France | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 2004 | 3 |
| France | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 2004 | 3 |
| France | Appearances | International Friendlies | 2004 | 5 |
| France | Assists | FIFA World Cup | 2004 | 1 |
| France | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 2004 | 235 |
| France | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 2004 | 270 |
| France | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2004 | 376 |
|
|
| Arsenal | Appearances | FA Community Shield | 2003-2004 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | EFL Cup | 2003-2004 | 2 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | FA Cup | 2003-2004 | 5 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2003-2004 | 7 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | English Premier League | 2003-2004 | 29 |
| Arsenal | Assists | FA Cup | 2003-2004 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Assists | EFL Cup | 2003-2004 | 2 |
| Arsenal | Assists | English Premier League | 2003-2004 | 5 |
| Arsenal | Goals | English Premier League | 2003-2004 | 3 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | FA Community Shield | 2003-2004 | 120 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | EFL Cup | 2003-2004 | 180 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | FA Cup | 2003-2004 | 417 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2003-2004 | 570 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | English Premier League | 2003-2004 | 2,535 |
|
|
| France | Appearances | International Friendlies | 2003 | 2 |
| France | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 2003 | 3 |
| France | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2003 | 90 |
| France | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 2003 | 251 |
|
|
| Arsenal | Appearances | FA Community Shield | 2002-2003 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | FA Cup | 2002-2003 | 5 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2002-2003 | 12 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | English Premier League | 2002-2003 | 24 |
| Arsenal | Assists | English Premier League | 2002-2003 | 3 |
| Arsenal | Assists | FA Cup | 2002-2003 | 3 |
| Arsenal | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 2002-2003 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Goals | English Premier League | 2002-2003 | 3 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | FA Community Shield | 2002-2003 | 90 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | FA Cup | 2002-2003 | 416 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2002-2003 | 1,016 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | English Premier League | 2002-2003 | 2,041 |
|
|
| France | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 2002 | 3 |
| France | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 2002 | 3 |
| France | Appearances | International Friendlies | 2002 | 6 |
| France | Assists | International Friendlies | 2002 | 2 |
| France | Goals | International Friendlies | 2002 | 1 |
| France | Goals | UEFA European Championships | 2002 | 1 |
| France | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 2002 | 250 |
| France | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 2002 | 251 |
| France | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2002 | 393 |
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| Arsenal | Appearances | FA Cup | 2001-2002 | 7 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2001-2002 | 11 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | English Premier League | 2001-2002 | 36 |
| Arsenal | Assists | FA Cup | 2001-2002 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Assists | English Premier League | 2001-2002 | 2 |
| Arsenal | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 2001-2002 | 2 |
| Arsenal | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 2001-2002 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Goals | English Premier League | 2001-2002 | 2 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | FA Cup | 2001-2002 | 630 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2001-2002 | 990 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | English Premier League | 2001-2002 | 3,082 |
|
|
| France | Appearances | Confederations Cup | 2001 | 5 |
| France | Appearances | International Friendlies | 2001 | 8 |
| France | Assists | Confederations Cup | 2001 | 1 |
| France | Assists | International Friendlies | 2001 | 1 |
| France | Goals | Confederations Cup | 2001 | 2 |
| France | Mins Played | Confederations Cup | 2001 | 362 |
| France | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2001 | 574 |
|
|
| Arsenal | Appearances | FA Cup | 2000-2001 | 6 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2000-2001 | 12 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | English Premier League | 2000-2001 | 30 |
| Arsenal | Assists | FA Cup | 2000-2001 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Assists | English Premier League | 2000-2001 | 4 |
| Arsenal | Goals | FA Cup | 2000-2001 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Goals | English Premier League | 2000-2001 | 5 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | FA Cup | 2000-2001 | 460 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2000-2001 | 1,080 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | English Premier League | 2000-2001 | 2,551 |
|
|
| France | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 2000 | 6 |
| France | Appearances | International Friendlies | 2000 | 11 |
| France | Assists | International Friendlies | 2000 | 1 |
| France | Assists | UEFA European Championships | 2000 | 2 |
| France | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 2000 | 525 |
| France | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2000 | 603 |
|
|
| Arsenal | Appearances | FA Community Shield | 1999-2000 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | FA Cup | 1999-2000 | 2 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1999-2000 | 6 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1999-2000 | 8 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | English Premier League | 1999-2000 | 30 |
| Arsenal | Assists | UEFA Cup | 1999-2000 | 2 |
| Arsenal | Assists | English Premier League | 1999-2000 | 3 |
| Arsenal | Goals | English Premier League | 1999-2000 | 2 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | FA Community Shield | 1999-2000 | 90 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | FA Cup | 1999-2000 | 210 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1999-2000 | 540 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1999-2000 | 737 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | English Premier League | 1999-2000 | 2,625 |
|
|
| France | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1999 | 3 |
| France | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1999 | 5 |
| France | Assists | International Friendlies | 1999 | 1 |
| France | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1999 | 179 |
| France | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1999 | 246 |
|
|
| Arsenal | Appearances | FA Community Shield | 1998-1999 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1998-1999 | 3 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | FA Cup | 1998-1999 | 4 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | English Premier League | 1998-1999 | 34 |
| Arsenal | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 1998-1999 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Assists | English Premier League | 1998-1999 | 3 |
| Arsenal | Goals | English Premier League | 1998-1999 | 3 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | FA Community Shield | 1998-1999 | 84 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1998-1999 | 270 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | FA Cup | 1998-1999 | 420 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | English Premier League | 1998-1999 | 2,897 |
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| France | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1998 | 1 |
| France | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1998 | 2 |
| France | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1998 | 2 |
| France | Assists | FIFA World Cup | 1998 | 1 |
| France | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1998 | 36 |
| France | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1998 | 67 |
| France | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1998 | 105 |
|
|
| Arsenal | Appearances | EFL Cup | 1997-1998 | 2 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1997-1998 | 2 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | FA Cup | 1997-1998 | 6 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | English Premier League | 1997-1998 | 33 |
| Arsenal | Assists | FA Cup | 1997-1998 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Assists | English Premier League | 1997-1998 | 4 |
| Arsenal | Goals | English Premier League | 1997-1998 | 2 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | EFL Cup | 1997-1998 | 138 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1997-1998 | 180 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | FA Cup | 1997-1998 | 502 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | English Premier League | 1997-1998 | 2,722 |
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| France U21 | Appearances | UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1997 | 3 |
| France | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1997 | 5 |
| France U21 | Mins Played | UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1997 | 270 |
| France | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1997 | 332 |
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| Arsenal | Appearances | FA Cup | 1996-1997 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1996-1997 | 1 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | EFL Cup | 1996-1997 | 3 |
| Arsenal | Appearances | English Premier League | 1996-1997 | 31 |
| Arsenal | Goals | English Premier League | 1996-1997 | 2 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | FA Cup | 1996-1997 | 90 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1996-1997 | 90 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | EFL Cup | 1996-1997 | 225 |
| Arsenal | Mins Played | English Premier League | 1996-1997 | 2,741 |
|
|
| France U21 | Appearances | UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1996 | 4 |
| France U21 | Mins Played | UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1996 | 337 |
|
|
| Cannes | Appearances | Coupe de la Ligue | 1995-1996 | 1 |
| Cannes | Appearances | Coupe de France | 1995-1996 | 2 |
| Cannes | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1995-1996 | 4 |
| Cannes | Appearances | French Ligue 1 | 1995-1996 | 31 |
| Milan | Appearances | Coppa Italia | 1995-1996 | 1 |
| Milan | Appearances | Italian Serie A | 1995-1996 | 2 |
| Milan | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1995-1996 | 2 |
| Cannes | Appearances | French Ligue 1 | 1995-1996 | 13 |
| Cannes | Assists | French Ligue 1 | 1995-1996 | 3 |
| Cannes | Goals | Coupe de France | 1995-1996 | 1 |
| Cannes | Goals | UEFA Cup | 1995-1996 | 1 |
| Cannes | Goals | French Ligue 1 | 1995-1996 | 2 |
| Cannes | Mins Played | Coupe de la Ligue | 1995-1996 | 90 |
| Cannes | Mins Played | Coupe de France | 1995-1996 | 180 |
| Cannes | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1995-1996 | 314 |
| Cannes | Mins Played | French Ligue 1 | 1995-1996 | 2,508 |
| Milan | Mins Played | Coppa Italia | 1995-1996 | 90 |
| Milan | Mins Played | Italian Serie A | 1995-1996 | 99 |
| Milan | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1995-1996 | 161 |
| Cannes | Mins Played | French Ligue 1 | 1995-1996 | 1,170 |
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| France U21 | Appearances | UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1995 | 2 |
| France U21 | Mins Played | UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1995 | 180 |
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| Cannes | Appearances | Coupe de France | 1993-1994 | 1 |
| Cannes | Appearances | French Ligue 1 | 1993-1994 | 5 |
| Cannes | Assists | French Ligue 1 | 1993-1994 | 1 |
| Cannes | Mins Played | Coupe de France | 1993-1994 | 120 |
| Cannes | Mins Played | French Ligue 1 | 1993-1994 | 442 |
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