Top 10 Stickers to Collect – Panini FOOT 2012-2013

Marco Verratti’s arrival at Paris Saint-Germain in the 2012–2013 season marked the beginning of a new era for both player and club. Signed from Serie B side Pescara at just 19, the Italian midfielder immediately impressed under Carlo Ancelotti with his composure, combativeness, and intelligence on the ball. Operating as a deep-lying playmaker alongside Thiago Motta and Blaise Matuidi, Verratti quickly became PSG’s midfield dictator, controlling tempo with calm authority. His influence was immense helping PSG to their first Ligue 1 title since 1994.

Verratti’s debut campaign established him as the heartbeat of a transforming PSG. His mix of elegance and aggression set the tone for the club’s attacking identity in the years that followed. Despite his youth and occasional rashness, he brought a sense of control and character that anchored a team full of stars.

Kurt Zouma’s 2012–13 season was the year he truly began to emerge as one of French football’s most exciting defensive prospects. At just 18 years old, the centerback combined physical dominance with an impressive reading of the game. His strength, aerial ability, and composure on the ball made him stand out in a Ligue 1 increasingly focused on technical build-up play. Christophe Galtier trusted him to play with maturity beyond his age, often pairing him with Loïc Perrin in a balanced defensive line that mixed youth and experience. Though still raw, Zouma’s natural aggression and timing in challenges gave Saint-Étienne a defensive solidity that made them one of the most disciplined sides in the league, conceding only 32 goals.

That season, Saint-Étienne enjoyed one of their best campaigns in years, finishing in the top five and winning the Coupe de la Ligue, their first trophy in over three decades. Zouma played a key role in that success, showing his reliability in high-pressure matches and earning attention from top European scouts.

He didn’t reach the heights that was expected of him, but he has had a solid career in the Premier League, amassing over 100 appearances for Chelsea. An interesting rookie sticker.

Lucas Digne’s 2012–13 season with Lille was the campaign that propelled him from promising academy graduate to one of France’s brightest young full-backs. At just 19, he established himself as a regular starter under Rudi Garcia. Digne’s left flank play blended defensive reliability with attacking ambition. He was quick to overlap, delivered sharp crosses, and carried the ball confidently into advanced areas. His pace and stamina made him a constant outlet in Lille’s transitional play.

Lille may have finished mid-table that season, but Digne’s performances stood out. He ended the campaign with two goals and several assists, and his consistency earned him a call-up to the French U21s as well as growing speculation about a move to a bigger club. Indeed, by the following summer, Paris Saint-Germain had swooped in to sign him.

As of the time of writing, Digne has an impressive resume. Having played for PSG, Barca, Roma, Everton and Aston Villa (where he currently plays), Digne has had a very good career. Add 54 caps for France (at the time of writing) on top of that! A nice rookie sticker for the collection.

David Beckham’s 2012–13 season was brief but symbolic, representing a final flourish in an extraordinary career and a landmark moment for Ligue 1. When Paris Saint-Germain signed him in January 2013, the move was less about numbers and more about aura. At 37, Beckham arrived not to be the star but to bring professionalism, experience, and a touch of global glamour to a project that was fast transforming PSG into a European powerhouse. Despite limited minutes, his technical quality was still evident. Carlo Ancelotti used him smartly, often in deep midfield roles where his vision could dictate tempo and calm the game’s rhythm, particularly in late stages when control was needed.

Beckham played only a handful of Ligue 1 matches, but his presence lifted PSG’s global profile, and in a dressing room filled with strong personalities like Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva. On 18 May 2013, in PSG’s final home game, Beckham captained the side and left the pitch in tears. A fitting end to a storied career. His short spell in Paris wasn’t about trophies or statistics, though he did help secure PSG’s first Ligue 1 title in 19 years; it was about legacy, longevity and professionalism.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 2012–13 season with Saint-Étienne was the one that transformed him from a talented winger into one of Europe’s most electric forwards. Under Christophe Galtier, he evolved into a complete attacking threat. He was blisteringly fast, clinical in transition, and far more composed in front of goal than in previous campaigns. Aubameyang thrived in Saint-Étienne’s counter-attacking system, using his acceleration to exploit space behind defences. His timing, off-the-ball movement, and finishing were exceptional that year, resulting in 19 Ligue 1 goals.

That season also marked Saint-Étienne’s resurgence as a competitive force. Aubameyang was pivotal in their Coupe de la Ligue triumph, scoring crucial goals en route to the club’s first trophy in 30 years. By season’s end, he was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year and was one of the league’s hottest properties, earning a move to Borussia Dortmund that summer. The 2012–13 campaign was his breakthrough season, and one that announced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as one of Europe’s next great goal-scorers.

Samuel Umtiti’s 2012–13 season with Lyon was the year he evolved into a reliable Ligue 1 defender. At just 19, Umtiti established himself in the first team under Rémi Garde,.Left-footed and composed under pressure, he often operated as a left-sided centre-back or even a full-back when needed. His ability to play out from the back suited Lyon’s possession-based approach, and his positional discipline belied his youth. Despite facing seasoned attackers, Umtiti’s maturity and anticipation made him one of the league’s standout young defenders, a quiet but assured presence in a team rebuilding after its dominant 2000s era.

That season, Lyon finished third and qualified for the Champions League, with Umtiti’s consistency playing a key role in their defensive stability. Though not yet the finished product, the 2012–13 campaign showcased his potential. It was the foundation year for a player who would soon become one of France’s most dependable defenders, eventually earning international recognition and a World Cup winner’s medal in 2018!

Umtiti seemed to fall off the edge of a cliff! After winning the World Cup, he has been plagued by injuries and has barely played. Nonetheless, an awesome rookie sticker, and crucial if you want to collected France’s 2018 World Cup squad!

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 2012–13 season was the statement of intent for Paris Saint-Germain’s new era! Arriving from AC Milan in the summer of 2012, Zlatan brought not just goals, but star power, arrogance, and a winning mentality that immediately elevated the league’s profile. From his very first matches, his dominance was unmistakable as he became the axis of PSG’s attack under Carlo Ancelotti. Whether dropping deep to link play or finishing with audacious precision, he was unstoppable, scoring 30 Ligue 1 goals in 34 games; the first player to reach that mark in France since Jean-Pierre Papin two decades earlier. His goals came in every form imaginable: towering headers, deft flicks and thunderous volleys.

Beyond the numbers, Zlatan transformed PSG into a team that believed it belonged among Europe’s elite. His leadership, intensity, and swagger pushed the squad’s standards higher, setting the tone for a decade of dominance to follow. He was Ligue 1’s top scorer and the league’s undisputed star. The 2012–13 campaign wasn’t just a great season, it was Zlatan’s personal empire-building project, a masterclass in how one player can impose identity, belief, and fear on an entire league.

A must have sticker for an collection – Zlatan’s first year at PSG!

Florian Thauvin’s 2012–13 season was his breakout year. Starting the season at Bastia on loan from Lille, Thauvin quickly became one of Ligue 1’s most exciting attacking talents. At just 20 years old, he displayed a fearless dribbling style, quick acceleration, and a left foot capable of both precise crosses and stunning goals. Operating mainly from the right wing, he thrived in Bastia’s counter-attacking setup, cutting inside to create danger and scoring 10 Ligue 1 goals. His flair, confidence, and eye for the spectacular made him one of the league’s most watchable players that season.

His performances didn’t go unnoticed with many teams interested. Lille has plans for Florian, but Thauvin never played a game for them again, forcing a summer move to Olympique de Marseille. That controversial transfer underlined both his ambition and fiery personality, traits that would define much of his career. Thauvin can be considered somewhat of a nomad, playing for mutiple teams throughout Europe and in Mexico with Tigres.

Definietly a player that didn’t fulfill his potential but still a fan favourite – a streets won’t forget type player. For that reason, Thavin’s rookie sticker ranks 3!

In Vincent Aboubakar’s 2012–13 season, the Cameroonian forward was still raw but showed flashes of the physicality, power, and the flashy finishing instinct that would later define his career. He only mananged 2 goals in the campaign, but would sign for Lorient on a free transfer. His progress was evident, scoring 16 Ligue 1 goals marking him as one of the most promising young forwards in France.

FC Porto noticed his potential and signed him in 2014. He would go onto become a cult hero in Porto winning 2 league titles. Aboubakar is one of those strange players that become a cult hero where ever he goes. He is loved by fans of Lorient, Porto Besiktas and Al Nassr. He never put up crazy goal numbers, but the numbers he did put up where often spectacular goals that other strikers would dream of scoring. His goal for Cameroon in the 2022 World Cup against Serbia comes to mind. He didn’t spend much time gracing the big leagues, but he has managed 115 caps for Cameroon and scored 45 goals!

An awesome rookie sticker of a multiple club cult hero!

The Adrien Rabiot rookie sticker is the best sticker in the Panini Foot 2012-2013 collection.

Adrien Rabiot’s 2012–13 season was his introduction to senior football and the beginning of a long and complex relationship with Paris Saint-Germain. At just 17, Rabiot was one of the brightest prospects from PSG’s academy, a technically refined midfielder with a tall frame and a natural elegance in possession. Carlo Ancelotti handed him his professional debut early that season, impressed by his composure and passing range. Rabiot’s left foot allowed him to dictate play from deep positions, and he showed flashes of the calmness and spatial awareness that would become trademarks of his game.

However, with fierce competition in PSG’s midfield, Rabiot found opportunities limited and was loaned to Toulouse in January 2013. There, he gained crucial experience, featuring 13 times in Ligue 1. He would return to PSG the following season and become a regular player in PSG’s dominance of Ligue 1.

A controversial player, and one that is renouned for being difficult to manage. Despite this, he has a very impressive resume having played for PSG, Juventus, Marseille and now currently AC Milan. I think this is a testament to the talent he posses, despite the attitude issues. He is definitely a quality player and his 56 caps with France in their dominant era proves that. It makes one wonder, what Rabiot could have accomplished if he had his head in the right place.