Retiring Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira’s stellar career in pictures

Patrick Vieira has called time on his illustrious career as a professional footballer,  as the former Arsenal great hangs up his boots before taking up football development executive role at Manchester City.

Representing Cannes, AC Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter, Manchester City the 35-year-old was a part of seven league triumphs during a career which spanned 18 years; winning a total of 20 club competitions including the Champions League with Jose Mourinho’s Inter in 2010 – capping a fantastic treble-winning season for the Italian giants.

The tough midfielder also captained Arsenal in their brightest period in recent years, skippering Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ side that went undefeated in the Premier League during the 2003-04 season on their way to winning the title crown.

But for many, it will be Vieira’s contribution to France’s dominaton of the 90s that he will be most remembered, helping his country to their first World Cup triumph in 1998 – the competition they hosted – before clinching the European Championship title at Euro 2000.

With the curtain closing on the Frenchman’s formidable playing career, Goal.com took a walk down memory lane to recollect some of the defining moments in the Frenchman’s career.

1995

AC Milan sign a young midfielder in the summer of 1995 by the name of Patrick Vieira

1996

Arsene Wenger’s appointment at Arsenal sees Vieira swap the San Siro for Highbury

1998

Arsenal win the Premier League and FA Cup double

1998

Vieira wins the World Cup as France celebrate the triumph on home soil

2000

Two years later, the European Championship is won after a thrilling final against Italy

2004

The ‘Invincibles’ lift the title at White Hart Lane, the home of rivals Tottenham

Vieira’s heated contests with Manchester United skipper Roy Keane

2005

In his final kick of the ball as a Gunner, Vieira wins the FA Cup for Wenger’s charges

After over 400 appearances, the midfielder joins Juventus in Serie A

2006

With Juve relegated after the Calciopoli scandal, the Frenchman joins Inter