French football legend Eric Cantona has revealed that he has been in therapy since the age of 20 but still struggles with his inner demons, which he exposes in a candid new documentary about his life. The film, simply titled "Cantona," premiered at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2026, and is one of two soccer documentaries showcased at the event.
A Deep Dive into the Mind of a Football Icon
The 115-minute documentary, directed by British filmmakers David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas, features extensive interviews with the former Manchester United star, resembling an extended psychoanalysis session. The film includes insights from former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and former teammate David Beckham, along with a gripping soundtrack from Orbital's Phil Hartnoll.
Cantona, now 59, told AFP that he is constantly trying to understand himself. "I'm constantly trying to figure out who I am, and that's why I do my best to act on instinct as much as possible," he said. "Of course, there are times when things get a bit out of hand, but that's part of life and I accept it."
Therapy and Inner Demons
When asked about therapy, Cantona said: "I've done a lot ... I started at 20 and I've continued at different moments. It's a world that interests me a lot." The documentary delves into the "fire" and "demon" inside him that made him both a combustible figure and a brilliant player. Cantona acknowledged his demons, saying: "Of course, I've got a lot of them in my head and it's good to accept them. I make them live together and they like having a party."
Football at Cannes
This year's Cannes Film Festival features a surprising number of football-themed films. Another documentary, "The Match," focuses on the controversial 1986 World Cup quarter-final between England and Argentina, settled by Diego Maradona's infamous handball. Director Juan Cabral described the match as containing "justice, injustices, beauty... all in a kind of pressure cooker."
Thierry Fremaux, director of the Cannes film festival, insisted that the football documentaries are not tied to the upcoming World Cup. The genre has grown in popularity, with the 2023 Netflix series on David Beckham being a notable example. A new production on Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti by Paolo Sorrentino was also announced at Cannes.
A Unique Documentary
Director David Tryhorn emphasized that "Cantona" stands out from typical sports documentaries. "You have a lot of documentaries now that feel like publicity for the athlete," he said. "Whereas Eric is very happy to be brutally honest and accept 'this is who I am as a person with all my flaws and positive sides'. That's very rare for a film like this."
