Benzema: Last man standing

It’s almost impossible to find another generation in French football history as talented as the one born in 1987. In 2005, they won the U-17 World Cup, boasting the likes of Karim Benzema, Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa and Jérémie Ménez, who announced his retirement on social media this week, capping a nearly 20-year professional career.

Only Benzema still playing

Now, only Karim Benzema remains active, currently playing in Saudi Arabia with Al Ittihad. After 19 years of an uninterrupted career at the pinnacle of world football, he is the last man standing. Many of his teammates from that ‘87 Generation fell by the wayside, unable to meet the lofty expectations placed upon them or struggling with consistency. Benzema, on the other hand, became a legend for Real Madrid, leading the team to five Champions League titles and winning the coveted Ballon d’Or in 2022 as the world’s best player.

But despite Benzema’s legendary status, at the time he wasn’t considered the brightest talent of the group. That title belonged to Hatem Ben Arfa—a truly unique player with otherworldly ability, capable of dribbling past five defenders in one run, keeping the ball glued to his feet as if his boots were coated with adhesive. Lyon’s youth product was even hailed by some as the greatest talent in French football history. Yet, he could never fully establish himself due to his inconsistent performances and volatile temperament.

Ben Arfa, now retired, played for Lyon, Marseille, and PSG, among other clubs, but earned just 15 caps (with two goals) for the French national team. His magical left foot dazzled audiences across Europe, but in football, talent alone isn’t enough. Ben Arfa never quite made the leap to lead a generation that had the potential to rewrite France’s football history. His brief stint in Spanish football with Valladolid in 2020, followed by a forgettable 2022 season with Lille, marked the end of his career.

Nasri, versatile, skilled ball player

Samir Nasri, much like Ben Arfa, was a misunderstood talent. His career, however, took him further, with standout spells at Manchester City and Arsenal, following his early success with Olympique Marseille. But his fierce personality, a trait shared by many in the ‘87 Generation, prevented him from making a lasting mark with the French national team. Nasri earned 41 caps and scored five goals for France. His club career saw him turn out for Sevilla in 2016-2017, where he flourished under Jorge Sampaoli’s management, before short stints in Turkey, West Ham, and Anderlecht. He now works as a Champions League analyst for Canal+ France.

Ménez: plying his trade round Europe

As Benzema continued to dominate at Real Madrid, despite being briefly exiled from the French national team over the infamous “sextape” scandal with Mathieu Valbuena, he returned to the squad in 2021. However, his international career ended in 2022 after missing the World Cup in Qatar due to injury. Meanwhile, Ménez tried in vain to fulfill the immense potential that was recognized back in 2005. The Sochaux academy graduate was among PSG’s first marquee signings after the Qatari takeover in 2011, playing 108 matches for the club but managing just 18 goals.

Ménez’s career took him across PSG, AC Milan, Bordeaux, Antalyaspor, Club América, Paris FC, Reggina, and finally Bari, where he parted ways this summer. His critics often cited his lackadaisical approach and inability to rise to the occasion in key moments. Ménez, who earned 24 caps between 2010 and 2013, was once a lightning-fast forward for France’s youth teams. His long-anticipated retirement leaves the ‘87 Generation bereft, with Benzema standing as its last remaining beacon, the final vestige of a once-glorious era for French football.