French centurions honoured before Brazil friendly

Five of French football's six international centurions were honoured at the Stade de France before the UEFA EURO 2016 hosts' friendly against Brazil as the country celebrated a quintet of world and European champions.

Thierry Henry (123 caps), Marcel Desailly (116), Zinédine Zidane (108), Patrick Vieira (107) and current France coach Didier Deschamps (103) were presented with specially designed caps and medals by French president François Hollande and French Football Federation president Noël Le Graët ahead of the repeat of the 1998 FIFA World Cup final in the same stadium.

All those honoured are from the golden generation which won the 1998 World Cup on home soil before going on to triumph at UEFA EURO 2000 in the Netherlands and Belgium. The players were given a standing ovation by the crowd when they gathered in the centre circle before Les Bleus' encounter with their South American opponents.

"It's emotional," said Henry, a scorer of 51 international goals. "I used to come here to play, but now I can enjoy it in a different way. Zidane added: "It's good to be here, rekindling memories. One hundred caps is a milestone. I hope all the players here tonight reach 100."

Mr Hollande said: "It was appropriate that both UEFA and the French Football Federation awarded you with these honours as it is credit for all you brought to France through your talent and spirit."

The country's record appearance maker, Lilian Thuram (142), was not present. He will be awarded his commemorative cap before the friendly against Belgium on 7 June.