Ex-Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid striker Nicholas Anelka made his debut for the French senior national team in a goalless draw with Sweden on April 22, 1998 and he went on to score 14 goals in 69 games for his country.
Nicholas Anelka missed out on the World Cup squad for France at the 1998 edition on home soil. The Frenchman was absent as his country won the FIFA World Cup tournament for the first time in history. He became a regular in the France squad during the qualifiers for Euro 2000. Anelka scored the opener as France beat Russia 3-2 on the occasion of his first start. He also found the back of the net twice as France beat hosts England 2-0 at the Wembley Stadium in February 1999.