Indie
Former football legend Éric Cantona announces debut studio album
Éric Cantona has revealed details of his first full-length album.
Éric Cantona has confirmed details of his first full‑length album, Perfect Imperfection, marking the latest step in the former footballer’s unexpected but fast‑growing musical career.
The 11‑track record will be released worldwide on March 13, and follows a steady build of interest around the French star's recent live shows and early recordings.
Alongside the announcement, Cantona has unveiled the album’s lead single, On se love, a gentle, stripped‑back ballad that places his gravel‑toned vocal and introspective writing at the centre. The track offers the clearest indication yet of the sound he has been shaping since first stepping into music professionally in 2023.
Cantona has long described music as another extension of his creative life, sitting alongside his work in film, theatre, poetry, painting and photography.
That approach is reflected in the album’s writing credits: nine of the songs were written and composed by Cantona himself. The remaining tracks include Avoir le choix and the title track, both co‑written with Johan Dalgaard — known for his work with Johnny Hallyday — and Droigts, composed by Gaëtan Roussel. Dalgaard and Roussel previously collaborated with Cantona on his debut EP, 2023's I’ll Make My Own Heaven.
The album arrives on the heels of Cantona’s sold‑out Cantona Sings Eric tour, which included a London date at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Those shows saw him perform alone on stage, accompanied only by piano and cello.
In 2024, he released Cantona Sings Eric – First Tour Ever (Live), a 17‑track collection recorded across multiple cities on the tour. The live album featured an ode to his Manchester United supporters, I Love You So Much.
Although he often frames himself as a newcomer to music, Cantona’s involvement stretches back further. He previously contributed lyrics to Lady Sir, the musical duo formed by his wife, actress and singer Rachida Brakni, and Roussel, giving him early experience behind the microphone.
The album is available to pre-order in digital, CD and vinyl formats now, here.
