Marseille star Florian Thauvin escaped from thieves who rammed his car with a scooter and attempted to steal his watch, L'Equipe has reported.
The report said one of the attackers attempted to place Thauvin in a headlock while trying to seize the €25,000 watch.
The midfielder escaped and ran to his nearby home before contacting police, who have opened an investigation.
Thauvin said he did not want to comment when contacted by L'Equipe, but a member of his entourage said he was "a bit shocked."
Former Marseille players have been victims of crime.
Vitorino Hilton and Lucho Gonzalez both left the club shortly after violent robberies at their homes.
The Ayew brothers, Jordan and Andre, also had their houses robbed while Mario Lemina was hit and threatened in front of his pregnant girlfriend.
L'Equipe reported that Marseille had reinforced security around players' homes when they were playing or away on team duty.