The son of former French great Jean, he began his career at Grenoble before moving on to Strasbourg and Monaco, where he made his international debut.

Disastrous as this first match was - the home defeat by Israel that infamously skewered qualification for USA 94 - Djorkaeff went on to be his country's best player at Euro 96 and scored 10 goals in his first 15 internationals.

But his form was disappointing in the World Cup two years ago, as he disappeared into the shadow of Zidane and Petit.

He won the European Cup Winners' Cup with Paris St Germain, scoring four goals en route to the final, and was voted 1995 French Player of the Year.

He won the Uefa Cup with Inter Milan in 1997 but was eclipsed by first Ronaldo and then Vieri, and chose to take his skills to the Bundesliga.