The 2004/05 French Ligue 1 season was won by Lyon for the fourth consecutive time, a feat that had never been accomplished before in the history of the league. Lyon dominated the season, finishing 12 points clear of their closest challengers, Lille. They won a total of 25 games out of 38, with only 4 losses, and scored a total of 72 goals.
Marseille and Monaco finished in third and fourth place respectively, while Paris Saint-Germain, who had won the previous season, finished in a disappointing 9th place. The relegation battle was closely fought, with several teams fighting to avoid the drop, but it was Istres, Ajaccio, and Metz who ultimately finished in the bottom three and were relegated to Ligue 2.
The Panini Foot 2004-2005 set holds many great players, including many notable rookies who have played in the top leagues in Europe!
Let’s get into the top 10!
The Panini FOOT 2004-2005 Complete Album
10 – Emmanuel Adebayor – #240 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Foot 2003/04
Emmanuel Adebayor, Togolese, played as a striker. He was known for his impressive physical attributes, including his height, strength, and speed, which made him a formidable opponent for defenders.
Adebayor was a classic target man who was able to hold up the ball and bring his teammates into play. He was also an excellent finisher who was able to score goals with both his head and his feet. His athleticism and speed allowed him to make powerful runs into the box and outpace defenders on the counterattack.
Adebayor enjoyed a successful career, playing for several top clubs including Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Real Madrid. He was also a regular for the Togolese national team, scoring 32 goals in 87 appearances.
Adebayor was a popular player among fans, particularly in Togo where he was regarded as a hero. In addition to his athletic ability, Adebayor was also known for his charismatic personality and flamboyant celebrations. Overall, Adebayor was a talented and exciting player who will be remembered as one of the top strikers of his generation.
Adebayor scores an incredible volley after a perfect first touch vs Tottenham.
9 – Michael Essien – #172 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Foot 2001-2002
Michael Essien played primarily as a central midfielder. He was known for his physicality, work rate, and versatility, which allowed him to play in a variety of positions across the midfield and defence.
Essien was a tenacious player who excelled in both attacking and defensive roles. He was strong in the tackle and had excellent stamina, which allowed him to cover a lot of ground and make key interceptions. He was also technically gifted and had an eye for goal, with a particular talent for scoring from long range.
Essien enjoyed a successful career, playing for several top clubs including Lyon, Chelsea, and Real Madrid. He won numerous domestic and international titles, including two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and a Champions League title with Chelsea.
Essien scores an iconic reverse swerving rocket vs rivals, Arsenal.
8 – Stéphane Sessègnon Rookie Sticker – #423
Stéphane Sessègnon is a retired Beninese footballer who played primarily as an attacking midfielder or winger. He was known for his technical ability, creativity, and flair on the ball, which allowed him to do the unexpected and create chances for his teammates.
Sessègnon was a versatile player who could play in a variety of positions across the midfield and attack. He had excellent dribbling skills and was able to take on defenders with ease, often using his quick feet and change of pace to get past opponents. He was also a talented passer who was able to pick out his teammates with accurate through balls and crosses.
Sessègnon enjoyed a successful career, playing for several top clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Sunderland, and West Bromwich Albion. He won numerous domestic and international titles, including the Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions with PSG.
Sessègnon was a popular player among fans, particularly in Benin where he was regarded as one of the country’s greatest ever footballers. He was also highly respected by his peers and coaches for his technical ability and creativity on the ball.
In addition to his technical skills, Sessègnon was particularly renowned for his ability to do the unexpected on the pitch. He was able to produce moments of magic, such as scoring spectacular goals from distance or producing an unexpected piece of skill to beat a defender. Sessègnon’s ability to surprise and entertain fans made him a fan favorite and one of the most exciting players to watch.
7 – Alex Song Rookie Sticker – #53
Alex Song is a retired Cameroonian footballer who played primarily as a defensive midfielder. He was known for his physicality, work rate, and tactical intelligence on the pitch.
Song was a versatile player who could also play as a central defender or a right-back if needed. He was a strong tackler and had excellent defensive skills, which allowed him to break up opposition attacks and win the ball back for his team. He was also a good passer of the ball, able to distribute play effectively from deep positions and help his team build attacks from the back.
In addition to his defensive skills, Song was also known for his athleticism and endurance. He had a high level of fitness, which allowed him to cover a lot of ground on the pitch and contribute to both defensive and attacking phases of play.
Song enjoyed a successful career, playing for several top clubs including Arsenal, Barcelona, and West Ham United. He won numerous domestic and international titles, including two FA Cups with Arsenal and a La Liga title with Barcelona.
6 – Jérémy Mathieu Rookie Sticker – #356
Jérémy Mathieu played as a central defender, but could also play as a left-back if needed. He was known for his physical presence, aerial ability, and technical skills on the ball.
Mathieu was a tall and imposing defender who was strong in the air and excelled at winning headers and clearing the ball from danger. He was also a good tackler and had solid defensive skills, which made him difficult for opposing attackers to beat.
In addition to his defensive abilities, Mathieu was also comfortable on the ball and had good passing skills. He was able to contribute to his team’s attacking play by playing accurate long balls from deep positions and starting counter-attacks with his quick distribution.
Mathieu enjoyed a successful career, playing for several top clubs including Valencia and Barcelona. He won numerous domestic and international titles, including two La Liga titles and a Champions League title with Barcelona.
Overall, Mathieu was a highly respected player who was regarded as a reliable and solid defender with good technical ability on the ball. His versatility in being able to play both as a central defender and a left-back made him a valuable asset for any team he played for.
5 – Yoann Gourcuff Rookie Sticker – #316
Yoann Gourcuff played primarily as an attacking midfielder. He was known for his technical ability, vision, and creativity on the ball.
Gourcuff was considered one of the most promising talents of his generation, having won the Golden Foot award for the best young player in Europe in 2009. He had an excellent first touch and was comfortable with the ball at his feet, often using his dribbling skills and close control to create space for himself and his teammates.
Gourcuff was also a good passer of the ball and had excellent vision, which allowed him to play through balls and pick out his teammates with accurate passes in the final third of the pitch. He was also a good set-piece taker, scoring several goals from free-kicks and corners during his career.
However, despite his early promise, Gourcuff’s career was plagued by injuries and inconsistency, which prevented him from fulfilling his potential. He struggled to adapt to the physical demands of the game and often found himself on the sidelines due to various injuries. As a result, he was never able to establish himself as a regular starter for either his club or the French national team.
Despite his unfulfilled potential, Gourcuff was still highly regarded by many football fans and analysts for his technical ability and creativity on the ball. His flashes of brilliance and moments of magic on the pitch were a testament to his talent, and he will always be remembered as one of the most promising young talents of his generation.
4 – Lassana Diarra Rookie Sticker – #447
Lassana Diarra played primarily as a defensive midfielder. He was known for his tenacity, work rate, and defensive skills on the pitch.
Diarra was a versatile player who could also play as a full-back, and he was known for his ability to break up opposition attacks and win back possession for his team. He was an excellent tackler and had a good sense of timing, which allowed him to make crucial interceptions and tackles in key areas of the pitch.
In addition to his defensive skills, Diarra was also a good passer of the ball and had the ability to start attacking moves from deep. He had excellent vision and was comfortable with the ball at his feet, which allowed him to dictate the tempo of the game and control the midfield.
Diarra was also known for his leadership qualities and was often named as the captain of his teams. He was a hard worker on the pitch and set a high standard for his teammates to follow.
Overall, Diarra was a tough, no-nonsense player who was highly regarded for his defensive abilities and work rate on the pitch. His consistency and leadership qualities made him a valuable asset to his teams, and he was widely respected by his peers and fans alike.
3 – Bacary Sagna Rookie Sticker – #31
Bacary Sagna, retired, primarily played as a right-back. He was known for his reliable performances, defensive abilities, and his work rate on the pitch.
Sagna was an excellent defender who was known for his physicality and his ability to read the game. He was quick, agile, and had good anticipation, which allowed him to make crucial tackles and interceptions to break up opposition attacks. He was also strong in the air and had good positional sense, which made him difficult to beat in one-on-one situations.
In addition to his defensive skills, Sagna was also an excellent attacking full-back who could provide width on the right flank. He had good crossing abilities and was capable of creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. His attacking runs were often timed to perfection, which made him a constant threat going forward.
What set Sagna apart was his consistency and reliability on the pitch. He rarely made mistakes and was a dependable player for his team. His work rate was exceptional, and he was willing to put in the hard yards for the benefit of the team. These qualities made him a highly valued player by his coaches and teammates.
2 – Bafétimbi Gomis Rookie Sticker – #335
Gomis is a powerful striker who was able to use his strength and pace to outmuscle defenders and create goal-scoring opportunities. He had a keen eye for goal and was a natural finisher, which made him a consistent goal-scorer throughout his career. His ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play was also a valuable asset for his teams.
In addition to his on-field abilities, Gomis was a popular figure among fans for his charismatic personality and trademark celebration. After scoring a goal, he would perform a dance that became known as the “Gomis Dance,” which quickly became a fan favourite.
Gomis played for several clubs throughout his career, including Saint-Etienne, Lyon, Swansea City, and Galatasaray. He was highly regarded by his coaches and teammates for his work ethic and dedication to the game. Currently playing at Galatasaray, Gomis has shown that age wont slow him down; still scoring goals at 37!
1 – Franck Ribery Rookie Sticker – #215
Franck Ribery is the best rookie sticker in Panini Foot 2004-2005.
Franck Ribery plays as a winger or attacking midfielder. He was known for his electrifying pace, technical skills, and ability to create chances for his teammates.
Ribery’s dribbling skills were one of his trademark abilities, as he was able to weave his way past defenders with ease. His combination of speed, agility, and ball control made him a dangerous player in one-on-one situations. He was also an excellent crosser of the ball and possessed a powerful shot from distance.
Ribery was a hugely popular player among fans, both for his on-field performances and his charismatic personality. At club level, Ribery played for Marseille, Bayern Munich, and Fiorentina. He helped Marseille win the Coupe de France in 2006-07, and then went on to join Bayern Munich in 2007. With Bayern, he won nine Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokal trophies, and the UEFA Champions League in 2013. He also played a crucial role in Bayern’s treble-winning season in 2012-13, where they won the league, cup, and Champions League.
Ribery’s time at Bayern was marked by his consistent performances, as well as his leadership and professionalism. He was a key player in the team and often played a crucial role in their most important matches.
Internationally, Ribery played for the French national team from 2006 to 2014. He was a part of the squad that reached the final of the 2006 World Cup, where they lost to Italy. He also played in the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
Summary
Thanks for reading. There could only be one winner in this list and I am sure I won’t get any complaints on Ribery taking the top spot! Let me know what you think in the comments below!
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