Description 
Patrick Paul Vieira is a French professional football manager and former player.
He was named in the FIFA 100 of greatest living footballers in 2004.
Vieira began his playing career at Cannes, where several standout performances garnered him a move to Serie A club AC 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 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 twelve years, where he also spent some time 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 become manager of Major League Soccer club New York City FC. He subsequently managed Ligue 1 club Nice between 2018 and 2020, Premier League side Crystal Palace between 2021 and 2023, and Ligue 1 club RC Strasbourg between 2023 and 2024.
Vieira made his debut for France in 1997 against the Netherlands. He was part of the France squad in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He came on as a substitute in the final against Brazil, and set up Arsenal teammate Emmanuel Petit for France's third goal in a 3–0 win. He, with the rest of the squad, was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1998.
He subsequently played as a first choice midfield player in France's successful campaign at UEFA Euro 2000, which they won, beating Italy in the final. He helped France to victory in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, ending the tournament as joint top scorer with two goals, including the winner, a header, in the final against Japan. He also played in all three games in the 2002 World Cup, in which France were eliminated in the group stage, failing to score a goal.
Vieira was injured and missed France's defeat to Greece, the eventual winners, at Euro 2004. After the tournament in Portugal, he became captain upon Zinedine Zidane's retirement from international football. In August 2005, he returned the armband as Zidane returned to the team.
On 23 June 2006, his 30th birthday, Vieira took the captain's armband for the match in place of the suspended Zidane, and scored the first goal as France beat Togo 2–0 in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup; he also assisted Thierry Henry for the second. This win helped France advance to the knockout stages in second behind Switzerland. In the round of 16, Vieira assisted the equaliser by Franck Ribéry and scored the second goal in a 3–1 win over Spain. Vieira started the final, but was substituted injured for Alou Diarra as Italy won 5–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.
On 5 August 2006, Vieira was reappointed captain of the France national team for the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign following Zidane's full retirement. He became the fifth Frenchman to earn 100 caps on 15 November, in a 1–0 win over Greece at the Stade de France. He played no part in the group games at Euro 2008 for a struggling France due to a niggling knee injury. His last cap with the national team was on 2 June 2009 in a friendly match against Nigeria, and was not included by coach Raymond Domenech in France's squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
On 7 July 2010, Vieira confirmed that he was no longer interested in playing for France and would devote his time to Manchester City. Altogether, he won 107 caps for France, scoring six goals.
Vieira and his Trinidadian wife, Cheryl, first met in England while he was playing for Arsenal. They have a daughter. The family experienced a home invasion in May 2006, when gas was pumped into their home near Cannes, but suffered no long-term effects.
In 2003, Vieira returned to Senegal for the first time since his childhood, to lay the foundation stone of the Diambars football academy in Saly. The academy produced nine of the players in Senegal's squad at the 2012 Olympic football tournament.
0 goals scored in the current 2025-2026 Season
Trophies 
English Premier League…
 2022 | 
English FA Cup
 2010-2011 | 
Italian Serie A
 2008-2009 | 
Italian Supercoppa…
2008 | |
Milestones
English Premier League 2…
2000-08-26 |
Former Youth Teams
1991-1993 |
Former Senior Teams
1993-1995 |
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 |
2023-2024
Manager |
2024-2025
Manager |
Contracts Fanart 
Player PosterBanner
News Reports None found...
Collections None found...
Statistics
| Mins Played | UEFA Europa League | 2010-2011 | 562 |
| Mins Played | FA Cup | 2010-2011 | 523 |
| Mins Played | English Premier League | 2010-2011 | 488 |
| Mins Played | EFL Cup | 2010-2011 | 90 |
| Goals | FA Cup | 2010-2011 | 3 |
| Goals | English Premier League | 2010-2011 | 2 |
| Assists | UEFA Europa League | 2010-2011 | 2 |
| Assists | English Premier League | 2010-2011 | 1 |
| Appearances | English Premier League | 2010-2011 | 15 |
| Appearances | UEFA Europa League | 2010-2011 | 8 |
| Appearances | FA Cup | 2010-2011 | 8 |
| Appearances | EFL Cup | 2010-2011 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | English Premier League | 2009-2010 | 811 |
| Mins Played | Italian Serie A | 2009-2010 | 633 |
| Mins Played | Coppa Italia | 2009-2010 | 90 |
| Mins Played | Supercoppa Italiana | 2009-2010 | 21 |
| Mins Played | FA Cup | 2009-2010 | 17 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2009-2010 | 15 |
| Goals | Italian Serie A | 2009-2010 | 1 |
| Goals | English Premier League | 2009-2010 | 1 |
| Assists | English Premier League | 2009-2010 | 2 |
| Assists | Italian Serie A | 2009-2010 | 1 |
| Appearances | English Premier League | 2009-2010 | 13 |
| Appearances | Italian Serie A | 2009-2010 | 12 |
| Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2009-2010 | 2 |
| Appearances | Supercoppa Italiana | 2009-2010 | 1 |
| Appearances | FA Cup | 2009-2010 | 1 |
| Appearances | Coppa Italia | 2009-2010 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2009 | 90 |
| Appearances | International Friendlies | 2009 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | Italian Serie A | 2008-2009 | 988 |
| Mins Played | Coppa Italia | 2008-2009 | 144 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2008-2009 | 140 |
| Goals | Italian Serie A | 2008-2009 | 1 |
| Assists | Italian Serie A | 2008-2009 | 1 |
| Appearances | Italian Serie A | 2008-2009 | 19 |
| Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2008-2009 | 3 |
| Appearances | Coppa Italia | 2008-2009 | 2 |
|
|
| Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2008 | 127 |
| Appearances | International Friendlies | 2008 | 2 |
|
|
| Mins Played | Italian Serie A | 2007-2008 | 1104 |
| Mins Played | Coppa Italia | 2007-2008 | 136 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2007-2008 | 129 |
| Mins Played | Supercoppa Italiana | 2007-2008 | 67 |
| Goals | Italian Serie A | 2007-2008 | 3 |
| Assists | Italian Serie A | 2007-2008 | 3 |
| Appearances | Italian Serie A | 2007-2008 | 16 |
| Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2007-2008 | 3 |
| Appearances | Coppa Italia | 2007-2008 | 3 |
| Appearances | Supercoppa Italiana | 2007-2008 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 2007 | 159 |
| Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2007 | 149 |
| Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 2007 | 2 |
| Appearances | International Friendlies | 2007 | 2 |
|
|
| Mins Played | Italian Serie A | 2006-2007 | 1693 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2006-2007 | 338 |
| Mins Played | Coppa Italia | 2006-2007 | 155 |
| Mins Played | Supercoppa Italiana | 2006-2007 | 120 |
| Goals | Supercoppa Italiana | 2006-2007 | 2 |
| Goals | UEFA Champions League | 2006-2007 | 1 |
| Goals | Italian Serie A | 2006-2007 | 1 |
| Assists | Italian Serie A | 2006-2007 | 3 |
| Assists | UEFA Champions League | 2006-2007 | 1 |
| Appearances | Italian Serie A | 2006-2007 | 20 |
| Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2006-2007 | 4 |
| Appearances | Coppa Italia | 2006-2007 | 3 |
| Appearances | Supercoppa Italiana | 2006-2007 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 2006 | 587 |
| Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2006 | 480 |
| Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 2006 | 360 |
| Goals | FIFA World Cup | 2006 | 2 |
| Assists | FIFA World Cup | 2006 | 2 |
| Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 2006 | 7 |
| Appearances | International Friendlies | 2006 | 6 |
| Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 2006 | 4 |
|
|
| Mins Played | Italian Serie A | 2005-2006 | 2767 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2005-2006 | 629 |
| Mins Played | Coppa Italia | 2005-2006 | 270 |
| Mins Played | Supercoppa Italiana | 2005-2006 | 120 |
| Goals | Italian Serie A | 2005-2006 | 5 |
| Assists | Italian Serie A | 2005-2006 | 5 |
| Assists | UEFA Champions League | 2005-2006 | 2 |
| Assists | Coppa Italia | 2005-2006 | 1 |
| Appearances | Italian Serie A | 2005-2006 | 31 |
| Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2005-2006 | 7 |
| Appearances | Coppa Italia | 2005-2006 | 3 |
| Appearances | Supercoppa Italiana | 2005-2006 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 2005 | 475 |
| Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2005 | 90 |
| Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 2005 | 6 |
| Appearances | International Friendlies | 2005 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | English Premier League | 2004-2005 | 2798 |
| Mins Played | FA Cup | 2004-2005 | 600 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2004-2005 | 528 |
| Goals | English Premier League | 2004-2005 | 6 |
| Goals | FA Cup | 2004-2005 | 1 |
| Assists | English Premier League | 2004-2005 | 5 |
| Assists | UEFA Champions League | 2004-2005 | 1 |
| Assists | FA Cup | 2004-2005 | 1 |
| Appearances | English Premier League | 2004-2005 | 32 |
| Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2004-2005 | 6 |
| Appearances | FA Cup | 2004-2005 | 6 |
|
|
| Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2004 | 376 |
| Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 2004 | 270 |
| Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 2004 | 235 |
| Assists | FIFA World Cup | 2004 | 1 |
| Appearances | International Friendlies | 2004 | 5 |
| Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 2004 | 3 |
| Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 2004 | 3 |
|
|
| Mins Played | English Premier League | 2003-2004 | 2535 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2003-2004 | 570 |
| Mins Played | FA Cup | 2003-2004 | 417 |
| Mins Played | EFL Cup | 2003-2004 | 180 |
| Mins Played | FA Community Shield | 2003-2004 | 120 |
| Goals | English Premier League | 2003-2004 | 3 |
| Assists | English Premier League | 2003-2004 | 5 |
| Assists | EFL Cup | 2003-2004 | 2 |
| Assists | FA Cup | 2003-2004 | 1 |
| Appearances | English Premier League | 2003-2004 | 29 |
| Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2003-2004 | 7 |
| Appearances | FA Cup | 2003-2004 | 5 |
| Appearances | EFL Cup | 2003-2004 | 2 |
| Appearances | FA Community Shield | 2003-2004 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 2003 | 251 |
| Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2003 | 90 |
| Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 2003 | 3 |
| Appearances | International Friendlies | 2003 | 2 |
|
|
| Mins Played | English Premier League | 2002-2003 | 2041 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2002-2003 | 1016 |
| Mins Played | FA Cup | 2002-2003 | 416 |
| Mins Played | FA Community Shield | 2002-2003 | 90 |
| Goals | English Premier League | 2002-2003 | 3 |
| Goals | UEFA Champions League | 2002-2003 | 1 |
| Assists | FA Cup | 2002-2003 | 3 |
| Assists | English Premier League | 2002-2003 | 3 |
| Appearances | English Premier League | 2002-2003 | 24 |
| Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2002-2003 | 12 |
| Appearances | FA Cup | 2002-2003 | 5 |
| Appearances | FA Community Shield | 2002-2003 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2002 | 393 |
| Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 2002 | 251 |
| Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 2002 | 250 |
| Goals | UEFA European Championships | 2002 | 1 |
| Goals | International Friendlies | 2002 | 1 |
| Assists | International Friendlies | 2002 | 2 |
| Appearances | International Friendlies | 2002 | 6 |
| Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 2002 | 3 |
| Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 2002 | 3 |
|
|
| Mins Played | English Premier League | 2001-2002 | 3082 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2001-2002 | 990 |
| Mins Played | FA Cup | 2001-2002 | 630 |
| Goals | English Premier League | 2001-2002 | 2 |
| Goals | UEFA Champions League | 2001-2002 | 1 |
| Assists | UEFA Champions League | 2001-2002 | 2 |
| Assists | English Premier League | 2001-2002 | 2 |
| Assists | FA Cup | 2001-2002 | 1 |
| Appearances | English Premier League | 2001-2002 | 36 |
| Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2001-2002 | 11 |
| Appearances | FA Cup | 2001-2002 | 7 |
|
|
| Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2001 | 574 |
| Mins Played | Confederations Cup | 2001 | 362 |
| Goals | Confederations Cup | 2001 | 2 |
| Assists | International Friendlies | 2001 | 1 |
| Assists | Confederations Cup | 2001 | 1 |
| Appearances | International Friendlies | 2001 | 8 |
| Appearances | Confederations Cup | 2001 | 5 |
|
|
| Mins Played | English Premier League | 2000-2001 | 2551 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 2000-2001 | 1080 |
| Mins Played | FA Cup | 2000-2001 | 460 |
| Goals | English Premier League | 2000-2001 | 5 |
| Goals | FA Cup | 2000-2001 | 1 |
| Assists | English Premier League | 2000-2001 | 4 |
| Assists | FA Cup | 2000-2001 | 1 |
| Appearances | English Premier League | 2000-2001 | 30 |
| Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 2000-2001 | 12 |
| Appearances | FA Cup | 2000-2001 | 6 |
|
|
| Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2000 | 603 |
| Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 2000 | 525 |
| Assists | UEFA European Championships | 2000 | 2 |
| Assists | International Friendlies | 2000 | 1 |
| Appearances | International Friendlies | 2000 | 11 |
| Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 2000 | 6 |
|
|
| Mins Played | English Premier League | 1999-2000 | 2625 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1999-2000 | 737 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1999-2000 | 540 |
| Mins Played | FA Cup | 1999-2000 | 210 |
| Mins Played | FA Community Shield | 1999-2000 | 90 |
| Goals | English Premier League | 1999-2000 | 2 |
| Assists | English Premier League | 1999-2000 | 3 |
| Assists | UEFA Cup | 1999-2000 | 2 |
| Appearances | English Premier League | 1999-2000 | 30 |
| Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1999-2000 | 8 |
| Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1999-2000 | 6 |
| Appearances | FA Cup | 1999-2000 | 2 |
| Appearances | FA Community Shield | 1999-2000 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1999 | 246 |
| Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1999 | 179 |
| Assists | International Friendlies | 1999 | 1 |
| Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1999 | 5 |
| Appearances | International Friendlies | 1999 | 3 |
|
|
| Mins Played | English Premier League | 1998-1999 | 2897 |
| Mins Played | FA Cup | 1998-1999 | 420 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1998-1999 | 270 |
| Mins Played | FA Community Shield | 1998-1999 | 84 |
| Goals | English Premier League | 1998-1999 | 3 |
| Assists | English Premier League | 1998-1999 | 3 |
| Assists | UEFA Champions League | 1998-1999 | 1 |
| Appearances | English Premier League | 1998-1999 | 34 |
| Appearances | FA Cup | 1998-1999 | 4 |
| Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1998-1999 | 3 |
| Appearances | FA Community Shield | 1998-1999 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1998 | 105 |
| Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1998 | 67 |
| Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1998 | 36 |
| Assists | FIFA World Cup | 1998 | 1 |
| Appearances | International Friendlies | 1998 | 2 |
| Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1998 | 2 |
| Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1998 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | English Premier League | 1997-1998 | 2722 |
| Mins Played | FA Cup | 1997-1998 | 502 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1997-1998 | 180 |
| Mins Played | EFL Cup | 1997-1998 | 138 |
| Goals | English Premier League | 1997-1998 | 2 |
| Assists | English Premier League | 1997-1998 | 4 |
| Assists | FA Cup | 1997-1998 | 1 |
| Appearances | English Premier League | 1997-1998 | 33 |
| Appearances | FA Cup | 1997-1998 | 6 |
| Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1997-1998 | 2 |
| Appearances | EFL Cup | 1997-1998 | 2 |
|
|
| Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1997 | 332 |
| Mins Played | UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1997 | 270 |
| Appearances | International Friendlies | 1997 | 5 |
| Appearances | UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1997 | 3 |
|
|
| Mins Played | English Premier League | 1996-1997 | 2741 |
| Mins Played | EFL Cup | 1996-1997 | 225 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1996-1997 | 90 |
| Mins Played | FA Cup | 1996-1997 | 90 |
| Goals | English Premier League | 1996-1997 | 2 |
| Appearances | English Premier League | 1996-1997 | 31 |
| Appearances | EFL Cup | 1996-1997 | 3 |
| Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1996-1997 | 1 |
| Appearances | FA Cup | 1996-1997 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1996 | 337 |
| Appearances | UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1996 | 4 |
|
|
| Mins Played | French Ligue 1 | 1995-1996 | 1170 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1995-1996 | 161 |
| Mins Played | Italian Serie A | 1995-1996 | 99 |
| Mins Played | Coppa Italia | 1995-1996 | 90 |
| Appearances | French Ligue 1 | 1995-1996 | 13 |
| Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1995-1996 | 2 |
| Appearances | Italian Serie A | 1995-1996 | 2 |
| Appearances | Coppa Italia | 1995-1996 | 1 |
| Mins Played | French Ligue 1 | 1995-1996 | 2508 |
| Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1995-1996 | 314 |
| Mins Played | Coupe de France | 1995-1996 | 180 |
| Mins Played | Coupe de la Ligue | 1995-1996 | 90 |
| Goals | French Ligue 1 | 1995-1996 | 2 |
| Goals | UEFA Cup | 1995-1996 | 1 |
| Goals | Coupe de France | 1995-1996 | 1 |
| Assists | French Ligue 1 | 1995-1996 | 3 |
| Appearances | French Ligue 1 | 1995-1996 | 31 |
| Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1995-1996 | 4 |
| Appearances | Coupe de France | 1995-1996 | 2 |
| Appearances | Coupe de la Ligue | 1995-1996 | 1 |
|
|
| Mins Played | UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1995 | 180 |
| Appearances | UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1995 | 2 |
|
|
| Mins Played | French Ligue 1 | 1993-1994 | 442 |
| Mins Played | Coupe de France | 1993-1994 | 120 |
| Assists | French Ligue 1 | 1993-1994 | 1 |
| Appearances | French Ligue 1 | 1993-1994 | 5 |
| Appearances | Coupe de France | 1993-1994 | 1 |
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