Why Mike Maignan may go down as the greatest goalkeeper in French history

Mike Maignan (29) has longed for years to become the first-choice goalkeeper for the French national team. This year was exceptional for him as he cemented his place as one of the elite goalkeepers in Les Bleus history.

The man who guided Lille OSC to the Ligue 1 title in 2020-2021 has had an exceptional 2024 for his country.

It wasn't until his late twenties that AC Milan's current #1 became the main man between Didier Deschamps' sticks, and he has shown he is ready to take on that huge responsibility.

Following in the footsteps of a World Cup winner and record holder for Les Bleus is a tall order indeed. However, Maignan has shown he is up to the challenge, and you could argue he is the most valuable player at Deschamps' disposal at the moment.

Like his predecessor, who earned a record 145 caps with the national team (Lloris), Magic Mike has consistently made timely saves for his country and proven to be a leader in the locker room and on the field.

He has kept eight clean sheets in 15 games for the seniors this year, helping them reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024. While the defense at that tournament was solid and cohesive, Maignan's body of work in that competition was exemplary and helped secure this tournament. team successful despite the lack of quality of Kylian Mbappé (25) and Antoine Griezmann (33).

His performance at the European Championships last summer ensured that he was named in the Team of the Tournament.

As he showed in France's 3-1 win over Italy on Sunday, the French Guiana-born goalkeeper is an elite shot-stopper on a pitch he knows well (the San Siro), capable of stepping up in big moments to get further.

French history shows that the best player does not always wear the captain's armband. An example of this is their current manager, who led them to their first World Cup win in 1998 and the European Championship two years later.

Mbappé is their most decisive and electric player, but Magic Mike was probably the most consistent for the national team in 2024. He is technically strong and decisive and is among the most vocal members of the team.

The France captaincy remains up in the air, and Maignan deserves strong consideration to take the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner's place as captain of this team.

The French have had their share of colorful and impressive shot-stoppers, but none are as complete as their current number 1.

Lloris and Fabien Barthez won World Cup trophies as starters for Les Bleus, but both had many disadvantages.

Barthez may never be forgotten, but technically he shouldn't be in the conversation as the best goalkeeper in the history of the men's national team.

He will go down in history as the greatest character we have ever seen between the sticks of this team, but he often made irrational decisions on crosses, and let's not forget that he had perhaps the best back four in the history of the World Cup 1998.

Lloris had great reflexes and stole his share of games for Les Bleus, but he also made plenty of mistakes that would make you scratch your head. His blunder against Sweden in 2017 is one of many goals he will certainly not look back on.

Then there was his moment of madness in the 2018 World Cup final, which fortunately did not cost the French a second title.

Looking back at the 80s, Joël Bats had some heroic World Cup moments in goal for France, most notably saving a Zico penalty in their quarter-final triumph against Brazil in Mexico 86.

Even the man who helped them win their first major title at Euro 84 was prone to mistakes as he conceded a soft free-kick to Andreas Brehme that cost them a place in the 1986 World Cup final.

We have yet to see Maignan unnecessarily aggressive in goal for the French. Instead, he brought much-needed stability to the position and this team, while making countless spectacular saves.

Achievements and trophies may be what footballers are often judged on, but if you examine French goalkeepers for their overall technical skills, Maignan has to be among the best.

GFFN | Joel Lefèvre