Legends
Montpellier’s Best Moments in Ligue 1
During Montpellier’s different stints in Ligue 1 McDonald’s, the club had must-watch players, including Colombian standout Carlos Valderrama. The midfielder made 91 total appearances for the club from 1987 to 1991, scoring five goals, and was part of the squad that won the Coupe de France in 1990.
Although not part of the Coupe de France winning side, Roger Milla left his mark for Montpellier, playing for the club while in Ligue 2 BKT and Ligue 1 McDonald’s. Milla featured in 62 matches in France’s top flight, scoring 20 goals for La Paillade.
While winning the Coupe de France in 1990 while in Ligue 1 McDonald’s was impressive; their best season in the top flight came during the 2011-12 campaign, when they won the league.
Montpellier was neck and neck with Paris Saint-Germain as MHSC finished ahead of the Parisians by three points. One player who had a hand in helping the club win the league that year is a familiar name to football fans: Olivier Giroud.
Giroud ended the season level on 21 goals, sharing the league’s top scorer honor alongside PSG’s Nenê. One of the most memorable moments from that title-winning season came when then-owner Louis Nicollin made a colorful promise on April 15, 2012.
Speaking to TF1, he said he’d give himself an orange and blue fauxhawk—just like Jérémy Ménez—if Montpellier finished first. True to his word, after the club clinched the Ligue 1 McDonald's title on May 24, Nicollin proudly showed off his new hairstyle in Montpellier’s signature colors.
While Montpellier will say goodbye to Ligue 1 McDonald's for now, they have shown in the past to bounce back from relegations. MHSC have been promoted on seven occasions, and AS Saint-Étienne showed that a past league champion can go down to Ligue 2 BKT, then find their way back to the top flight.
Last season, FC Lorient was relegated from Ligue 1 McDonald's and after one campaign in the second division, they'll be right back in the top flight after winning the league this year. While a relegation for any club is a dark moment, there's light at the end of the tunnel as Saint-Étienne and Lorient have shown.
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