Anthony Réveillère
A defensive rock for club and country, his unwavering consistency at right-back anchored Lyon's historic domestic dominance in the 2000s.
Born 1979 (age 47)·French footballer·Birthday: November 10·Generation X
Biography
Anthony Réveillère's career is a testament to the quiet power of reliability. Born in the French region of Pays de la Loire, he emerged from Stade Rennais's academy, his early promise leading to a move to Valencia. But it was at Olympique Lyonnais where he truly cemented his legacy. Arriving in 2003, he became the immovable object on the right flank of a Lyon side that was an unstoppable force, winning seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles. While teammates grabbed headlines, Réveillère's game was defined by tactical intelligence, positional discipline, and a fierce competitive streak. He was the defensive bedrock, making over 400 appearances for the club and playing a key role in their deep runs in the Champions League. His steady presence also earned him 20 caps for the French national team, including a start in the 2010 World Cup final. In an era of flashy full-backs, Réveillère proved that mastery of the fundamentals could be the foundation for enduring success.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Anthony was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anthony Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Anthony's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles with Olympique Lyonnais between 2003 and 2010.
- Made over 400 competitive appearances for Lyon, becoming a symbol of the club's golden era.
- Started at right-back for France in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final against Spain.
- Played in the UEFA Champions League for Lyon for eight consecutive seasons.
- Earned 20 senior caps for the French national team between 2003 and 2012.
Did You Know?
He played for both major clubs in Milan, having brief loan spells at AC Milan in 1999 and Inter Milan in 2000.
Réveillère scored only 3 goals in his entire professional club career, which spanned over 500 matches.
He was known for his distinctive bald head and intense, focused demeanor on the pitch.
After retiring, he worked as a sports consultant for French television channel Canal+.
“My job is to be solid, to be there for the team, nothing more.”
