Anelka

Anelka, full name Nicolas Sébastien Anelka, born 14 March 1979 in Le Chesnay, France, is a French former professional footballer who played as a striker. He came through the youth system at Paris Saint-Germain before joining Arsenal in 1997, where he helped the club win the Premier League and FA Cup double in the 2001-02 season and established himself as a prominent forward in European football.

His performances at Arsenal led to a transfer to Real Madrid, and throughout his career he played for several top clubs in Europe and Asia. In England, he also notably played for Chelsea, and later spent time with teams outside Europe, including Shanghai Shenhua in China. Across his club career, Anelka was known for his pace, agility, and finishing ability, contributing goals and experience at the highest levels of club football.

Internationally, Anelka earned 69 caps for the France national team and scored 14 goals. He was part of the France squad that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and he represented France at multiple major tournaments thereafter. In 2010, he was involved in a disciplinary controversy with national team coach Raymond Domenech, which led to his expulsion from the World Cup squad. The incident effectively ended his international career, though he remained active at club level for several years thereafter.

Anelka is remembered for his early rise in French football, his success in English football, and his global club career, spanning Europe and Asia, as a notable example of a talented forward who made a significant impact at multiple levels of the sport.