Can You Identify These Famous ’90s Premier League Footballers?

By: Zoe Samuel
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Identify These Famous ’90s Premier League Footballers?
Image: Wikicommons by Gordon Flood

About This Quiz

Premiership football has long been the home of some of the best players in the world, with members of the League often fielding teams that contain international stars from multiple countries, and that's just for regular games! This is because England is the home of football, and as such, the professional game there is one of the oldest in the world. This means that franchises have had time to build up fan bases all over the world. It's also a part of the legacy of empire, where football itself and the English language were exported across the globe just in time to make it particularly easy for talented players throughout the world to come to this sceptred isle to make their fortunes.

However, Premiership players were not particularly well-paid until the advent of universal colour television in people's homes, and even then, they were only paid commensurately with an accountant. However, in 1979 large salaries came into play with the £1,000,000 transfer of Trevor Francis to Nottingham Forest. This sort of money only grew, and as endorsements swelled to match it, footballers turned into stars. By the '90s, it was normal for a Premier League player to pull down £10,000 a week.

That means that this is the first decade in which there are truly dozens of extremely memorable players who were able to become household names. Of course, not all of them lasted a long time, and some have been largely forgotten. How well do you remember them?

Question 1
NUFC comps via YouTube
Who is this former scion of Newcastle?
Andy Cole
Tony Yeboah
Alan Shearer
Paul Gascoigne
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alan Shearer was a Newcastle player who is now a beloved pundit noted for his insightful commentary. He was the England captain for a while and was noted for his level head and good tactical mind.

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Question 2
Wikicommons by Kunal Shah
What gorgeous, squeaky-voiced midfielder is this?
Matt Le Tissier
Dwight Yorke
David Ginola
David Beckham
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

He's married to a Spice Girl turned successful fashion designer, he looks like a Greek deity, and he somehow has the voice of a cartoon character. David Beckham would be an interesting figure even if he were not also a uniquely talented footballer whose corner kicks were the stuff of legend.

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Question 3
Panini via YouTube
This player was England's captain and loves Walker's Crisps. Who is he?
Eric Cantona
Paul Gascoigne
Gianfranco Zola
Gary Lineker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gary Lineker mostly played for Tottenham, where he was unusually level-headed and known as just an all-round nice guy. This earned him a hilarious endorsement deal with Walkers' Crisps that lastest some years, in which the joke was that the nice guy was a charade, and Lineker would go around taking crisps away from sweet children and little old ladies. He is also a very successful football pundit.

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Question 4
Wikicommons by Кирилл Венедиктов
Now a manager, this player was a midfielder and a defender. What is his name?
Gareth Southgate
Thierry Henry
Sol Campbell
Paul McGrath
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gareth Southgate was once the most hated man in England when he missed a crucial penalty at the 1996 European Cup. However, he recovered the love of the nation by managing the England team to successful outcomes later on!

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Question 5
goldenvision63 via YouTube
This English international spent 17 years at Everton. Do you know who he is?
Neville Southall
Roland Nilsson
Barry Horne
Jürgen Klinsmann
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Welsh international, Neville Southall was a goalie who spent his career at Everton. While he did go into football management later, most of his post-football focus was on helping out disadvantaged children.

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Question 6
Wikicommons by Steindy
Who is this player, who played at Milan before the Premiership lured him away from the continent?
Patrick Vieira
Paul Scholes
Dennis Bergkamp
Gary McAllister
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Patrick Vieira played for Arsenal, where he helped achieve the remarkable feat of going an entire season with no losses. He was also shockingly successful for his native France, where he was part of the 1998 World Cup-winning team, as well as the Euro 2000 title.

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Question 7
Wikicommons by Transferred from it.wikipedia to Commons
This footballer became a politician in retirement. Can you name him?
Vinnie Jones
Ruud Gullit
George Weah
Tony Yeboah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

George Weah played for Milan and Marseille as well as Manchester City and Chelsea. The Liberian-born player also played for his country, and some years later, he became its president!

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Question 8
Arsenal via YouTube
Can you identify this 22-year veteran of Arsenal?
Tony Adams
Eric Cantona
Bryan Robson
John Barnes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tony Adams spent his whole career at Arsenal, though he did also play for England. He was sadly prone to drinking and got into many fights, but as a player, his legacy remains untarnished, including being honoured by a statue outside Emirates Stadium.

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Question 9
Wikicommons by Graham Betts
Who is this Frenchman, noted for his excellent head of hair?
Paolo Di Canio
Tony Yeboah
Alan Shearer
David Ginola
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

David Ginola's luxurious locks and French charm won him not just plenty of hearts, but also plenty of endorsement deals. He played for Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Aston Villa, and also had a side job as a model.

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Question 10
Wikicommons by Football.ua
Can you name the famous goalie who played for the England team?
David James
Robbie Fowler
David Platt
Gary Stevens
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As a Premier League goalie, David James was so good that he held the record for most clean sheets (i.e., when the other side is unable to score). He played for England and was noted for not just his talent, but also his bleached blond hair and good looks.

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Question 11
Wikicommons by @cfcunofficial (Chelsea Debs) London
Now an assistant manager at Chelsea, who is this Italian player?
Gianfranco Zola
Paul McGrath
Robbie Fowler
Francis Benali
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gianfranco Zola was a flashy player who loved to try different things, usually successfully. He played in various continental teams before heading north to Chelsea. Indeed, he liked it so much there, he was later an assistant coach.

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Question 12
Wikicommons by Carlsberg
This incredibly talented Danish goalie was briefly a quiz show host. What is his name?
Thierry Henry
Peter Schmeichel
Dwight Yorke
Paul McGrath
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Danish player Peter Schmeichel was an unusual fixture in football as he was a goalie who became a captain. He helped Manchester United take the Treble, that is, the FA Cup, the League, and the Champions' League all in the same year!

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Question 13
Wikicommons by Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford and Largs, United Kingdom
You still see this player offering commentary on "Match of the Day." Who is he?
Ian Wright
Matt Le Tissier
Teddy Sheringham
Neville Southall
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ian Wright played for Crystal Palace and Arsenal and won the League with the latter. He is now a weekly fixture in people's homes as a pundit, but both of his sons are professional footballers. Talent is clearly a family affair at the Wright house!

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Question 14
Wikicommons by James Adams
A million teen girls became interested in football just to watch this man. What is his name?
Ryan Giggs
David Seaman
Sol Campbell
Andy Cole
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ryan Giggs was a Manchester United player whose good looks were a leading reason that people who didn't care about football would choose that team as their favourite if pressed. He was as talented as he was handsome, taking home 13 League titles and four FA Cup titles.

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Question 15
Wikicommons by Vintagekits
Do you remember the name of this player, who is noted for his fiery temperament, to put it mildly?
Roland Nilsson
David Beckham
Roy Keane
Paul Gascoigne
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Irish international Roy Keane was noted for being the fighting type. He got into trouble, but his club stuck by him, and he took home an astonishing 17 titles throughout his career, most of them at Manchester United.

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Question 16
Gala Events via YouTube
Who is this Welsh international player whose professional career took place mostly at Everton?
Bryan Robson
Barry Horne
Paul Scholes
David Platt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Barry Horne is widely credited as having saved Everton from relegation. He also went on to become a successful pundit. Rather unusually for a Premiership player, he has a first-class degree in chemistry!

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Question 17
Wikicommons by Austin Osuide
What lifelong Manchester United player is depicted here?
Gareth Southgate
George Weah
Paul Scholes
David Batty
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Paul Scholes won 11 Premiership titles as a Manchester United player and was the team's third-highest scorer. He made 600 appearances for the club and moved directly from being a player to being a coach there.

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Question 18
Wikicommons by Nick
Who is this Dutchman who later went into management at Ajax?
Dennis Bergkamp
Tony Yeboah
David Batty
Wes Brown
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dennis Bergkamp came to England and then stuck around, in part because he was so scared of flying that living in a small country where he could easily get to away games was the best option for him. As a result, Arsenal fans affectionately called him "The Non-Flying Dutchman."

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Question 19
Manchester United via YouTube
Ooh! Aah! Who's this bloke then?
Barry Horne
Thierry Henry
Eric Cantona
Ruud Gullit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Any serious list of '90s players would always put Eric Cantona in its top three. His skill was simply magical, and he was quite handsome, which — along with his delightful French accent — made him quite a heartthrob. That's why his appearances were always marked with universal chants of, "Ooh, aah, Cantona!"

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Question 20
Wikicommons by Tasnim News Agency
This man played for an impressive six Premiership teams. Can you remember his name?
David James
Dwight Yorke
Gary Stevens
Paolo Di Canio
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dwight Yorke made an enormous amount of money during his career but blew right through all of it. He and former partner, model Katie Price, both got into financial troubles, which cast a shadow over his impressive footballing legacy.

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Question 21
Wikicommons by Brian Minkoff- London Pixels
Before there was Rio, there was this fellow, who shares his last name. Who is he?
Gianfranco Zola
Vinnie Jones
David Ginola
Les Ferdinand
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Les Ferdinand is now the coach of Queens Park Rangers, but before that he was a talented player. Talent runs in the family, as his cousins Rio, Kane and Anton are all professional players!

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Question 22
Wikicommons by Horst Ettensberger
Who is this German player who later crossed the pond to manage a team?
Jürgen Klinsmann
Alan Shearer
Francis Benali
Paul McGrath
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A player who later became the coach for the U.S. national team, Jürgen Klinsmann was noted for his self-deprecation and sense of humour. He played in Germany and Italy but spent his time in England with Tottenham Hotspur.

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Question 23
Wikicommons by Nigel Wilson
One major Liverpool star scored a preposterously high number of goals. Can you recall his name?
Tony Yeboah
Peter Schmeichel
Robbie Fowler
Sol Campbell
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Robbie Fowler was such a prolific goal scorer that he became known as "God" by Liverpool fans. The Anfield crowd were not the only beneficiaries of his talent, either — he also scored seven goals for England.

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Question 24
Wikicommons by Egghead06
From a Milwall minor to the old man of the league, who is this striker?
Neville Southall
Tony Adams
David Seaman
Teddy Sheringham
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Teddy Sheringham played for the famously aggressive Milwall but later moved to Tottenham. He was capped for England, and while he wasn't a glamourous player like some of his colleagues, he did his country proud.

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Question 25
Wikicommons by Brian Minkoff-London Pixels
He had magical feet, but could barely get out a complete sentence. Who is he?
Roland Nilsson
Michael Owen
Matt Le Tissier
George Weah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Michael Owen was the boy next door who captured England's heart. He had truly magical football skills and could get past any defender. However, his career as a pundit was shortlived when it became apparent that all his brainpower was in his feet.

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Question 26
Wikicommons by Norio NAKAYAMA from saitama, japan
Who is this player who holds a record as the League's third-highest goal scorer?
David Beckham
Roy Keane
Andy Cole
Ian Wright
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Andy Cole's father was a Jamaican immigrant turned coal miner, whose son rose to the heights of the game of football. Cole's glory days involved Newcastle United and later Manchester United, where he often pulled off feats like scoring 12 goals in 12 games.

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Question 27
Bruno Productions
One of the greatest Irish players of all time, who is this player?
Nick Barmby
Dennis Bergkamp
Paul McGrath
Gianfranco Zola
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Paul McGrath played for Aston Villa and Manchester United for most of his career. He was an Irish international and unusually for a defender, he won the PFA Players' Player of the Year Award, which is given by players to their peers.

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Question 28
Wikicommons by uncle_shoggoth
He was tough as nails, and turned that persona into a successful acting career. Who is he?
Vinnie Jones
David Ginola
Barry Horne
Paul Gascoigne
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Vinnie Jones was of a sufficiently erratic temperament to be known as part of the Crazy Gang at Wimbledon. He regularly got into shoving matches, but he mellowed out when he left football and went into acting. He still leveraged his hard man image and became a successful actor, appearing in several big movies and shows.

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Question 29
Wikicommons by Egghead06
Another future manager, who is this controversial player?
Jürgen Klinsmann
David James
Paolo Di Canio
Neville Southall
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Paolo Di Canio was a successful player for West Ham, but his career was blighted by his violence and aggression, including a ban for pushing a referee. Indeed, he also raised eyebrows when he declared himself in favour of fascism, which did not win him any friends in England!

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Question 30
Wikicommons by Football.ua
He stuck with his team through a relegation. What's his name?
Roland Nilsson
Alan Shearer
Les Ferdinand
Thierry Henry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Roland Nilsson is beloved as his team of Sheffield Wednesday for not jumping ship through their relegation. He is mostly noted for his appearances for his native Sweden, however.

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Question 31
SkySports
This player loved Yorkshire puddings nearly as much as Yorkshire itself. Can you name him?
Tony Yeboah
David Batty
Wes Brown
Nick Barmby
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tony Yeboah is a hotel magnate in his native Ghana these days, but he spent some years circling Europe, including stints with several German teams. He played for Leeds United for two seasons.

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Question 32
FIFATV
One hothead started and ended the decade in the Premiership. Who is he?
John Barnes
Paul Gascoigne
Bryan Robson
Ryan Giggs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Paul Gascoigne achieved the first £2,000,000 transfer in the late '80s. He was exceptionally talented but often got in trouble for his attitude. "Gazza" was a household name before footballers typically achieved that level of fame, and his fans often copied his hairstyles, however unusual they were.

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Question 33
Wikicommons by Rob C. Croes / Anefo
Who is this Dutchman who played all over Europe before he made it to Chelsea?
Eric Cantona
Barry Horne
Ryan Giggs
Ruud Gullit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ruud Gullit led Chelsea to an FA Cup win, making him beloved in the London club. Before that he went all over Europe, playing very successfully for Milan and also for PSV and other clubs.

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Question 34
Wikicommons by Helen Bromley
Who is this Scotland international who played for four Premiership teams?
Peter Schmeichel
Ian Wright
Gary McAllister
Gareth Southgate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gary McAllister is a Scotsman who played for Leicester and Leeds, and even ended up becoming the manager at Leeds. He was also a Scottish international and captain for four years.

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Question 35
Southhampton FC via YouTube
Can you name this extremely dedicated Southampton man?
Gary Stevens
Francis Benali
David Ginola
Teddy Sheringham
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Francis Benali spent most of his career with Southampton, and despite several hundred Premiership appearances, he only scored one goal. However, since he was a defender, he wasn't really trying to score most of the time, so he is fondly remembered by his home team.

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Question 36
Wikicommons by Original by Thom32 at English Wikipedia, modifications only by Yottanesia
This player, who turned fans against himself by moving from one team to its local rival, needs to be identified. Can you do it?
Sol Campbell
Paolo Di Canio
Roy Keane
Paul McGrath
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sol Campbell initially played at Tottenham Hotspurs but upset some fans when he switched to arch-nemesis Arsenal. Campbell's career was blighted by institutional racism within football, where he was passed over for a less experienced colleague. He has since fought to change the game by speaking out on the subject.

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Question 37
Wikicommons by Christophe95
A Liverpool man ended up at Real Madrid. What is his name?
Vinnie Jones
David James
Steve McManaman
David Beckham
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Steve McManaman was rather unprepossessing and never enjoyed the celebrity of some of his England teammates, but he was a stupendously talented player all the same. He was lured to Real Madrid for a truly massive amount of money, where he became known as one of England's most successful football exports.

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Question 38
Wikicommons by Christophe95
Was he a sailor or a footballer? Who is this goalie?
David Platt
Andy Cole
David Seaman
Dennis Bergkamp
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A truly talented goalie who was beloved for his work for England, David Seaman's leading successes came during his time for Arsenal. He was a leftie, which made him a little more able to find a rival team's weaknesses and exploit them.

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Question 39
SkySports
One of the most reliable penalty kickers of all time, who is this Southampton man?
Gary McAllister
Matt Le Tissier
Roland Nilsson
Paul McGrath
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Southampton's second-highest ever scorer, Matt Le Tissier, is known as "Le God" by locals due to his unwillingness to leave his home team. He was a midfielder from Guernsey, which meant he never had much in the way of an international career as the small island was unable to compete against bigger nations.

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Question 40
Wikicommons by joshjdss
Who is this four-time winner of the Golden Boot?
Thierry Henry
Les Ferdinand
Steve McManaman
Francis Benali
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Thierry Henry scored a preposterous number of goals for Arsenal, playing at the club in its glory days under Arsene Wenger. He also had a huge amount of successful endorsements thanks to his French accent, good English, and very good looks!

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You Got:
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Wikicommons by Gordon Flood