OGC Nice will launch its '100 Club' against Monaco with the aim of honouring those who have worn the Rouge-et-Noir shirt in more than 100 competitive appearances at the highest level.

To honour its century makers, the club — founded in 1904 — will now give them pride of place, a place they deserve for having written a lengthy chapter in the club's history.

The '100 Club' will be inaugurated against Monaco by the five men who reached that milestone in 2019/20. The quintet — Dante, Malang Sarr, Wylan Cyprien, Pierre Lees-Melou and Walter Benitez — embody what the club has always been about: a universe of cultures united by a common identity.

Dante has been at the club since 2016. In nearly four seasons, he has played 148 games (4 goals, 6 assists), more than he has featured for any other club in his glorious career.

At just 21, Malang Sarr already has 118 first-team appearances to his name (3 goals, 3 assists), and has also worn the captain's armband. That's also true of Wylan Cyprien, who comes in third with most appearances in the current suqad with 109 as well as 23 goals (eight this season) and 12 assists.

The two others to have reached the milestone since the opening-day win over Amiens are Pierre Lees-Melou (106) and Walter Benitez (105). 

Behind the 'top five', Yoan Cardinale (91 matches), Patrick Burner (72 matches) and Ignatius Ganago (61 matches) are closest to breaking the 100-game barrier.

GIANTS AND PILLARS

Since the club's creation, 876 players have represented the club at first-team level. Among them, 148 have played 100 games or more, including 39 this millenium.

Right at the top of the list is Francis Isnard. The defender is almost untouchable with his tally of 465 games between 1963 and 1975, putting him almost 100 appearances ahead of his closest challenger, Pancho Gonzalez. He played 367 times, winning three league titles (1952, 1956, 1959) and two Coupes de France (1952, 1954) with Le Gym. Roger Jouve took part in 359 games over 13 seasons (1965-78), and left his mark on a generation of fans with his dribbles and skills. André Chorda (349 matches between 1952 and 1962, and 1969 to 1974) and Charly Loubet (343 appearances between 1963 and 1975, in between two spells at Marseille) complete the club's all-time Top 5. 

Some 'centurions' are still part of the club now, passing on the OGC Nice DNA to a new generation of potential legends. Jean-Phi’ Mattio, who is part of the recruitment team, played 307 matches in a red-and-black shirt, putting him seventh on the all-time list. First team assistant coach Fred Gioria featured 235 times. That's just a handful more games than Cédric Varrault (227) and Didier Digard (165), assistants with the reserve team and the U17s respectively. Lionel Letizi, head coach of the youth academy goalkeepers, played 159 times for the club.

Constantin Djivas

Statistics : Michel Oreggia

* Abandoned games and war-time appearances are not included.