The Marseille man hit a staggering 156 goals in 270 appearances in France's top flight and now works helping families affected by cerebral palsy
“I think that goalscoring is something that is born in a person – it's in the blood.”
It was most certainly in the Papin blood, Jean-Pierre’s father Guy having enjoyed a respectable career of his own.
"The question of who I would be when I grew up was never one I asked. My father also played football, and the love of the sport was in my genes.”
Born in Boulogne-sur-Mer in Northern France, it was clear from an early age that Jean-Pierre had inherited Guy’s talents, and instantly evident he would likely go on to surpass his father’s achievements.