Debut

Players stepping down do not finish the sport – others come up, so let wrap 1984 with debutante.

One Eric Cantona, barely 18-years old, debuted in 1983-84 for AJ Auxerre. The club was already hot news, the new talent was noticed, but let face it: at the time the French national team focused all attention to itself, a mere newcomer was hardly a big bang. It is easy now – we all know who Cantona was and what he did. Back then… ambitious as he was, perhaps he was further encouraged by watching the great French team, Platini, Tigana, Giresse, and the rest conquer Europe. But he was yet too young and only promising talent, nothing more than that. Perhaps in another club he was not to play at all – credits to Guy Roux are in order.