3 Johan Micoud (1990-1996, 147 matches, 20 goals)
Born in Cannes, the former playmaker joined the ASC in 1990. Two years later, and after the departure of Zinedine Zidane to the Girondins de Bordeaux, Johan Micoud made his professional debut in the second division. In four seasons, he played 147 matches and scored 20 goals. If his career in the selection did not live up to his talent (17 caps), notably by being in the shadow of “Zizou”, Micoud will have left his mark at Bordeaux, Werder Bremen and Parma. Finally, the idol of Toni Kroos returned to his training club where he served as president for three years before leaving his place in July 2019.
4 Jonathan Zebina (1994-1997, 32 games)
Then aged 16, the central defender left ES Viry-Châtillon, and his native Île-de-France, to join the AS Cannes training center in 1994. Under the orders of Guy Lacombe, whom he had played with young teams, Jonathan Zebina took part in his first professional match on March 8, 1997 against Metz in the first division. After 18 months, and a second season, Zebina left Cannes after the club's relegation. It was from this moment that he began his 13-year Italian adventure between Cagliari, AS Roma, Juventus and Brescia. And it was in 2011 that he returned to France where he joined Stade Brestois before ending his career in Toulouse then Arles-Avignon. With the Blues, the defender never really had his chance and only had one selection.
5 Gaël Clichy (2002-2003, 15 matches)
After around fifteen matches in the third division with AS Cannes, he made the big leap to England and Arsène Wenger's Arsenal at 18. From his first season, he was one of the invincibles and won the English championship without the slightest defeat (12 matches for him). Although he played little in the first three seasons, the left-back then established himself for four seasons and then six more at Manchester City. In total, he has three English championships, two League Cups, and two Community Shields.
French international (20 caps), he finished his career in Turkey (Istanbul Başakşehir), where he won a national title, then in Switzerland (Servette FC). The Toulouse native stopped his career recently before becoming assistant to Thierry Henry and winning a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
6 Sébastien Frey (1997-1998, 23 matches)
If he spent most of his career in Italy (531 matches with Fiorentina, Parma, where he won an Italian Cup, Genoa, Inter Milan or Hellas Verone), it was in Cannes, then in the first division (1997) which he made his debut at 17 years old. After barely a season, he left for Inter Milan. But it was during his time at Fiorentina (2005-2011) that Sébastien Frey became a French international (2 selections) under Raymond Domenech.
7 Julien Escudé (1998-1999, 21 games, 1 goal)
After 21 matches and fifteen starts in Division 2 at the age of 19, Julien Escudé left for Stade Rennais where he played for four seasons. He will then discover abroad: Ajax Amsterdam (2003-2005), Seville (2005-2012) and Besiktas (2012-2014). With success since he became champion of the Netherlands in 2004, winning the UEFA Cup twice (2006 and 2007), the UEFA Super Cup (2006) and the Spanish Cup (2007 and 2010). He also had a good career with the French team (13 caps between 2006 and 2010), without playing in a major tournament.
8 David Bellion (0 match)
Spotted while playing with the reserve of AS Cannes, which plays in the second division, David Bellion left for England, for Sunderland where he signed his first professional contract. He then played for Manchester United and West Ham before taking his first steps in France, in Nice, at the age of 24. It is in Bordeaux that the international hopefuls will experience their best seasons, with a French champion title (2009), a League Cup and a Champions Trophy up for grabs.
But also : Morgan Amalfitano (trained in Cannes, then Sedan, Lorient, Marseille, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham, Lille and Rennes), Julien Faubert (46 matches between 2002 and 2004, then Bordeaux, West Ham, Real Madrid, Elazigspor in Türkiye, Bordeaux, Kilmarnock in Scotland…), Peter Luccin (13 matches in 1996-1997 then Bordeaux, Marseille, Paris SG, Celta Vigo, Atletico Madrid, Zaragoza, Santander, Lausanne and Dallas where he became coach), David Bettoni (from 1991 to 1996, was Zidane's assistant at Real Madrid).
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