More than 1700 international players took part in the Toulon Tournament founded in 1967 by Maurice Revello. Many of these players have enjoyed a successful career . Ahead of the 45th edition of the Toulon Tournament (29 May-10 June), we unveil you the best 100 players in the Toulon Tournament history. We kick off our countdown by looking at the players ranked 80-71..
80. MARQUINHOS
Born on 14 May 1994
Position : defender
Played the Toulon Tournament on : 2014
Clubs : SC Corinthians (2011-2012), AS Rome (2012-2013), Paris Saint-Germain (since 2013)
International caps : 18
Titles :
- Copa Libertadores (2012)
- Ligue 1 (2014, 2015, 2016)
- Coupe de France (2016)
- Coupe de la Ligue (2015, 2016, 2017)
- Trophée des Champions (2014, 2015)
- Olympic Games (2016)
- Sudamericano U17 (2011)
- Toulon Tournament (2014)
His partnership with Matheus Doria at the centre-back during the Toulon Tournament 2014 was pivotal to Brazil’s success ! The PSG defender has also netted a goal in the final against France.
79. FILIPE LUIS
Born on 9 August 1985
Position : defender
Played the Toulon Tournament on : 2004
Clubs : Figueirense (2003-2004), Ajax Amsterdam (loan, 2004-2005), CA Rentistas (2005-2006), Real Madrid Castilla (loan, 2006-2007), Deportivo La Corogne (2006-2010), Atlético de Madrid (2010-2014), Chelsea (2014-2015), Atlético de Madrid (since 2015)
International caps : 29 (2 goals)
Titles :
- Liga (2014)
- Spanish Cup (2013)
- Premier League (2015)
- Ligue Europa (2012)
- UEFA Super Cup (2012)
The current Atletico Madrid left-back was relatively unknown when he competed in the Toulon Tournament 2004 as he was still playing at the Brazilian side Figueirense.
78. GHEORGHE POPESCU
Born on 9 October 1967
Position : defender
Played the Toulon Tournament on : 1985
Clubs : Craiova (1984-1987), Steaua Bucarest (loan, 1987-1988), Craiova (1988-1990), PSV Eindhoven (1990-1994), Tottenham (1994-1995), FC Barcelone (1995-1997), Galatasaray (1997-2001), Lecce (2001-2002), Dinamo Bucarest (2002), Hanovre 96 (2003)
International caps : 115 (16 goals)
Titles :
- Romanian league (1988)
- Eredivisie (1991, 1992)
- Dutch Cup (1992)
- Spanish Cup (1997)
- Spanish Super Cup (1996)
- Turkish League (1998, 1999, 2000)
- Turkish Cup (1999, 2000)
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1997)
- UEFA Cup (2000)
- UEFA Super Cup (2000)
The third most-capped player in Romania history wasn’t yet 18 years old when he helped his national team to clinch the 5th place at the Toulon Tournament 1985.
77. SHINJI KAGAWA
Born on 17 March 1989
Position : midfielder
Played the Toulon Tournament on : 2007
Clubs : Cerezo Osaka (2006-2010), Borussia Dortmund (2010-2012), Manchester United (2012-2014), Borussia Dortmund (since 2014)
International caps : 84 (27 goals)
Titles :
- Bundesliga (2011, 2012)
- German Cup (2012)
- Premier League (2013)
- Community Shield (2013)
- Asian Cup (2011)
What a story ! The Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder was playing in the Japanese Second Division when he took part in the Toulon Tournament 2007 !
76. RAUL MEIRELES
Born 17 March 1983
Position : midfielder
Played the Toulon Tournament on : 2003
Clubs : Boavista (2001-2004), Desportivo Aves (loan, 2001-2003), FC Porto (2004-2010), Liverpool (2010-2011), Chelsea (2011-2012), Fenerbahçe (2012-2016)
International caps : 76 (10 goals)
Titles :
- Portuguese League (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
- Portuguese Cup (2006, 2009)
- Portuguese Super Cup (2004, 2006, 2009)
- FA Cup (2012)
- Turkish League (2014)
- Turkish Cup (2013)
- Champion's League (2012)
- FIFA Club World Cup (2004)
- Euro U16 (2000)
- Toulon Tournament (2003)
Raul Meireles was integral part of the last Portugal's team that won the Toulon Tournament. It was in 2003.
75. KEVIN GAMEIRO
Born on 9 May 1987
Position : forward
Played the Toulon Tournament on : 2007
Clubs : RC Strasbourg (2005-2008), FC Lorient (2008-2011), Paris Saint-Germain (2011-2013), FC Séville (2013-2016), Atlético de Madrid (since 2016)
International caps : 13 (3 goals)
Titles :
- Ligue 1 (2013)
- Ligue Europa (2014, 2015, 2016)
- Toulon Tournament (2007)
Kevin Gameiro was unstoppable during the Toulon Tournament 2007. He finished as the tournament's top scorer with 5 goals and has also clinched the best player award.
74. MARTIN KEOWN
Born on 24 July 1966
Position : defender
Played the Toulon Tournament on : 1987
Clubs : Arsenal (1984-1985), Brighton (loan, 1985-1986), Aston Villa (1986-1989), Everton (1989-1993), Arsenal (1993-2004), Leicester (2004-2005), Reading (2005)
International caps : 43 (2 goals)
Titles :
- Premier League (1998, 2002, 2004)
- Community Shield (1998, 1999, 2002)
- FA Cup (1998, 2002, 2003)
Alongside players like Paul Gascoigne, Martin Keown helped the Young Three Lions to finish 4th at the Toulon Tournament 1987.
73. EDUARDO VARGAS
Born on 20 November 1989
Position : forward
Années de participation : 2008, 2009
Clubs : Cobreloa (2006-2009), Universidad de Chile (2009-2012), SSC Naples (2012-2015), Grêmio (loan, 2013), Valence CF (loan, 2014), Queens Park Rangers (loan, 2014-2015), Hoffenheim (2015-2017), Tigres UANL (since 2017)
International caps : 68 (32 goals)
Titles :
- Chilean League : Clausura (2011) and Apertura (2011)
- Italian Cup (2012)
- Copa America (2015, 2016)
- Toulon Tournament (2009)
Eduardo Vargas played the Toulon Tournament two times. He has reached the final in 2008 and then he won the competition in 2009.
72. DJIBRIL CISSE
Born on 12 August 1981
Position : forward
Played the Toulon Tournament on : 2001
Clubs : AJ Auxerre (1999-2004), Liverpool FC (2004-2007), Olympique de Marseille (loan then permanent move 2006-2008), Sunderland (loan, 2008-2009), Panathinaikos (2009-2001), Lazio Rome (2011-2012), Queens Park Rangers (2012-2013), Al-Gharafa SC (loan, 2013), Kuban Krasnodar (2013), SC Bastia (2014-2015)
International caps : 41 (9 goals)
Titles :
- Coupe Gambardella (1999)
- Coupe de France (2003)
- FA Cup (2006)
- Greek League (2010)
- Greek Cup (2010)
- Champion's League (2005)
- UEFA Super Cup (2005)
- Euro U19 (2000)
- FIFA Confederations Cup (2003)
Djibril Cissé finished as the joint top scorer of the Toulon Tournament 2001 with 3 goals. He wasn't yet 20 at that moment
71. FRANKY VERCAUTEREN
Born 28 October 1956
Position : midfielder
Played the Toulon Tournament on : 1976
Clubs : RSC Anderlecht (1975-1987), FC Nantes (1987-1990), RWD Molenbeek (1990-1993)
International caps : 63 (9 goals)
Titles :
- Belgian League (1981, 1985, 1986, 1987)
- Belgian Cup (1976)
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1976, 1978)
- UEFA Cup (1983)
- UEFA Super Cup (1976, 1978)
Despite the Belgium's struggles at the Toulon Tournament 1976, Franky Vercauteren distinguished himself as he netted 2 goals during this edition
READ ALSO : Toulon Tournament’s 100 best players : (100-91)
READ ALSO : Toulon Tournament’s 100 best players : (90-81)
Mathieu Lauricella