Former French football star Eric Cantona has taken aim at US President Donald Trump and other world leaders who decide to launch armed conflicts, arguing that those who send nations to war should be required to fight on the front line themselves.
Commenting on the US and Israeli military operations in Iran – and Iran’s response – Cantona suggested the introduction of a law obliging leaders who choose war to take part directly in combat.
Speaking to France’s Canal+, the 59‑year‑old former Manchester United player said: “There should be a law stating that when a president decides to go to war, he must be the first to go to the front line instead of sending 18‑year‑olds.”
He went on to say: “When you are the oppressor, you send 18‑year‑olds from your country, but on the other side there may be children of two, three or eleven. If leaders had to go to war themselves, there would be far fewer wars.”
The footballing great said leaders sit in these massive offices sending teenagers to die, but if it was their own life at risk, “there would be fewer wars, because there aren’t that many brave people”.
He hailed Colombian President Gustavo Petro for his remarks on Trump. Petro was an urban guerilla fighter in his youth, as a member of the 19th of April Movement (M-19), mainly composed of students, intellectuals, and activists.
Cantona noted that when Trump threatened to attack countries in South America, Petro said: “Let him come here, and I’ll take up arms again.” But most leaders
Cantona stressed that in many conflicts the victims on the other side are not soldiers but civilians and children. He added emphatically that none of his own children would ever go to war.
“I would love to create a law that says if a president decides to go to war, they should be the first one sent to the front line.”
— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) March 11, 2026
The legend Eric Cantona showing once again why voices like his matter these days. pic.twitter.com/hWHS5I7xJG