Blaise Matuidi

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Blaise Matuidi
Matuidi with Paris Saint-Germain in 2013
Personal information
Full name Blaise Matuidi
Date of birth (1987-04-09) 9 April 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Toulouse, France
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Paris Saint-Germain F.C.
Number 14
Youth career
1993–1998 US Fontenay-sous-Bois
1998–2001 CO Vincennois
2000–2003 INF Clairefontaine
2001–2004 Créteil
2004–2005 Troyes
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 Troyes 67 (4)
2007–2011 Saint-Étienne 132 (3)
2011–2015 Paris Saint-Germain 119 (11)
International career‡
2006–2007 France U19 9 (0)
2006–2009 France U21 25 (0)
2010– France 32 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 December 2014
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 October 2014

Blaise Matuidi (French pronunciation: [blɛz ma.tɥi.di]; born 9 April 1987) is a French international footballer who currently plays for French club PSG in Ligue 1 as a central midfielder. He is described as a "fierce and strong tackler."[2]

Matuidi began his football career playing for amateur clubs in the Île-de-France region, such as US Fontenay-sous-Bois and CO Vincennois. In 1999, he was selected to attend the prestigious Clairefontaine academy. After departing Clairefontaine, Matuidi joined semi-professional club Créteil and spent three years developing in the club's youth academy. In 2004, he signed with professional club Troyes and made his professional debut in the 2004–05 season. After three seasons with Troyes, Matuidi joined Saint-Étienne. With Saint-Étienne, he played European football for the first time after participating in the 2008–09 edition of the UEFA Cup. In the 2009–10 season, he was named first-choice captain under manager Alain Perrin. In July 2011, after four seasons with Saint-Étienne, Matuidi transferred to Paris Saint-Germain on a three-year deal.

Matuidi is a former French youth international, having represented his nation at under-19 and under-21 level. In August 2010, Matuidi was called up to the senior team for the first time under new manager Laurent Blanc. He made his international debut in September 2010 in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Club career

Early career

Matuidi was born in Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, to an Angolan father, Faria Rivelino, and a French mother of Congolese descent, Élise. Rivelino emigrated to France at a young age.[3] Matuidi has four other siblings and was raised in the Parisian suburb of Fontenay-sous-Bois.[3] He grew an attraction to the sport of football watching Paris Saint-Germain and became an admirer of former PSG attacker Jay-Jay Okocha.[4] Matuidi began his football career at the age of six playing for hometown club US Fontenay-sous-Bois.[5] After five years at the club, he joined CO Vincennois in nearby Vincennes, where he was teammates with Yacine Brahimi for a year. In 1999, Matuidi was rated as one of the best players in the Île-de-France region and was subsequently selected to attend the prestigious Clairefontaine academy. He trained at the academy for three seasons, playing there on weekdays while simultaneously playing for Vincennes on the weekends. In 2001, Matuidi left Vincennes to sign for semi-professional club Créteil on an aspirant (youth) contract. He spent four years in the club youth academy quickly becoming one of the club's most sought after prospects. Despite an intriguing offer from the two-time defending champions Olympique Lyonnais, Matuidi signed with Troyes, citing the club's training centre as his primary reason.[5]

Troyes

Matuidi began his career with Troyes playing on the club's reserve team in the Championnat de France amateur 2, the fifth division of French football. In November 2004, he was called up to the senior team by manager Jean-Marc Furlan and made his professional debut on 23 November in the team's Ligue 2 match against Gueugnon. Matuidi started the match and played over 60 minutes in a 2–1 victory.[6] His only other appearance with the senior team in the 2004–05 season came on 4 February 2005 in a league match against Guingamp.[7] Matuidi was relegated back to the club's reserve team for the rest of the campaign where he helped the team finish in a respectable sixth place.[8] In the following season, Matuidi was promoted to the senior team, who were now playing in Ligue 1, on a permanent basis. He was inserted as a starter by Furlan and appeared in 31 league matches. Matuidi was also one of the league leaders in card accumulation, with 11. He scored his first professional goal on 11 January 2006 in a 1–0 victory against Lille, converting a volley that was described by the media as "magnificent."[5][9] Despite the impressive individual season from Matuidi, Troyes finished only one spot above the relegation zone.

Following the season, on 16 June 2006, Matuidi signed his first professional contract, agreeing to a four-year deal with Troyes despite interest from English club Charlton Athletic.[10] Despite the firing of Furlan, Matuidi remained first-choice under new manager Denis Troch. He appeared in 35 total matches and score three goals. He also reduced his card accumulation to only six. Arguably Matuidi's greatest performance in a Troyes shirt came on 28 April 2007 against Sedan, whom Troyes were contesting a relegation battle with. With Troyes trailing 2–1 at home with 15 minutes remaining, Matuidi scored an equalizing goal in the 75th minute. Eight minutes later, he scored the winning goal to give Troyes a 3–2 victory.[11] Matuidi scored again on the final match day of the season against Lens in a 3–0 win, however, Troyes still dropped down to Ligue 2 after finishing the season in the 18th position.[12] The club's relegation back to Ligue 2 caused speculation regarding Matuidi's future with the club.

Saint-Étienne

Blaise Matuidi signing autographs.

Despite being linked with a hosts of Ligue 1 clubs, notably Bordeaux, Lille, and AS Monaco, on 12 July 2007, it was confirmed by the media that Matuidi had agreed to join AS Saint-Étienne after agreeing to a four-year deal with the club.[13] Upon his arrival, Matuidi was given the number 12 shirt and was inserted into the starting eleven, where he established midfield partnerships with Loïc Perrin and Christophe Landrin. He also formed a bond with former and fellow Troyen Bafétimbi Gomis, who had a breakout season. Matuidi made his club debut on 11 August 2007 in a league match against Valenciennes.[14] He remained first-choice for the entire season under Laurent Roussey. The club's play that season culminated into a respectable fifth place finish and qualification for the UEFA Cup.

During the 2008–09 season, Matuidi's performances caught the attention of English club Arsenal, who sent its scout Gilles Grimandi to watch him. Grimandi subsequently recommended the player to fellow Frenchman and Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger.[15] Matuidi was also tracked by Italian club Milan during the season. On 16 August 2008, he scored his first career goal for Saint-Étienne in a 2–1 win over Sochaux.[16] Matuidi made his European debut on 18 September 2008 in the team's first leg tie in the first round of the UEFA Cup against Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv.[17] He made eight appearances in the competition as Saint-Étienne ultimately reached the Round of 16 before suffering elimination to German club Werder Bremen. Matuidi appeared consistently in the league until receiving his first career red card in the team's 3–0 defeat to Lille.[18] In the second half of the season, Matuidi and the club in general struggled with injuries. The team's broken collective resulted in Saint-Étienne barely avoiding relegation, having survived on the last day of the season. After the season, Matuidi announced his intent to leave the club, telling French newspaper L'Equipe, "My wish is to leave because I think it's time." Matuidi also stated that he would be happy if he remained at Saint-Étienne.[19] After failing to receive any significant offers from clubs in the 2009 summer, sporting director Damien Comolli announced that Matuidi would remain at the club for the 2009–10 season.

Matuidi was named as the club's captain by incoming manager Alain Perrin following the first league match of the 2009–10 season due to injuries to incumbent captain Loïc Perrin. Despite Perrin returning to the team in September 2009, Matuidi still held onto the armband. Under his leadership, Saint-Étienne defeated the defending champions Bordeaux 3–1 on 3 October 2009.[20] Following the firing of Perrin midway through the season, incoming manager Christophe Galtier returned the captaincy back to Loïc Perrin. On 18 May 2010, Matuidi was involved in a physical altercation with teammate Dimitri Payet during the team's 1–0 defeat to Toulouse.[21] Midway through the first-half, Payet received criticism from teammate Yohan Benalouane for displaying a lack of aggression. He was then confronted by Matuidi, who echoed Benalouane's sentiments. Matuidi and Payet went face-to-face with the latter player delivering a blow to Matuidi's head before the two were separated by referee Bruno Coue and teammates.[22] As a result of the incident, Payet was substituted out after 31 minutes and sanctioned by club President Roland Romeyer.[23] On 6 October 2010, following both Matuidi and Payet's call up to the French national team, Matuidi described the altercation as a "lack of maturity" on both players part, while Payet described the incident as "an argument that had no place" and that "the incident was explained and the two were on new ground."[24]

Paris Saint-Germain

Matuidi playing for Paris Saint-Germain in 2013.
Matuidi playing for Paris Saint-Germain in 2011.

On 25 July 2011, French club Paris Saint-Germain confirmed that the club had signed Matuidi to a three-year contract as a replacement for the departed Claude Makélélé, who retired from the sport.[25] The transfer fee was undisclosed, but is purported to be in the region of €7.5 million plus future incentives.[26] Matuidi was presented to the media the same day alongside fellow new signing and international teammate Jérémy Ménez and was assigned the number 14 shirt.[27] He made his club debut for the team in its 1–0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls at the Emirates Cup. Matuidi made his competitive debut for Paris Saint-Germain on 6 August 2011 in the team's opening 1–0 league defeat to Lorient.[28] On 26 February 2014, Matuidi agreed a four-year contract extension.[29]

International career

Matuidi is a former French youth international, having represented his nation at under-19 and under-21 level. He went unnoticed while developing at both Créteil and Troyes; after establishing himself in the 2006–07 season with the latter club, however, he was called up to the under-19 team by coach Guy Ferrier. Matuidi made his youth international debut on 5 October 2005 in a 4–0 friendly match victory over Norway.[30] He subsequently appeared with the team in qualifying matches for the 2006 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. France ultimately failed to qualify for the competition and Matuidi finished the campaign with nine appearances and no goals.

Matuidi earned his first call up to the under-21 team under coach René Girard in the team's first match following the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship against Belgium, appearing as a half-time substitute for Jimmy Briand.[31] He featured in qualification matches for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship and appeared as a substitute in both legs of the team's surprising defeat to Israel in the qualifying playoffs.[32][33] Matuidi was among a handful of underage players who remained with the team after its elimination appearing with the team in its first match of 2007 against Sweden, which France won 4–0.[34] Matuidi appeared with the team in the next ten matches, which included qualifiers for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. After missing the last match of 2007, he returned to the team for their first match of 2008 against Spain.[35] Matuidi remained with the team for the rest of the qualifying campaign. His under-21 career came to an end following the team's defeat to Germany in a two-legged play-off, which determined who would earn a berth in the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.[36][37]

After failing to appear at international level for nearly two years, on 5 August 2010, Matuidi was called up to the senior team for the first time by new manager Laurent Blanc for the team's friendly match against Norway on 11 August 2010.[38] He failed to make an appearance in the match, but was called back into the team the following month as an injury replacement for UEFA Euro 2012 qualification matches against Belarus and Bosnia and Herzegovina.[39] Matuidi made his international debut in the team's 2–0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, appearing as a substitute. On 29 March 2011, he made his first start in the team's 0–0 draw with Croatia.

Matuidi was named in France's squad for UEFA Euro 2012 but did not make an appearance in the tournament due to injury.[40] He appeared nine times during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification and impressed in midfield in the team's 3–0 play-off defeat of Ukraine at the Stade de France to secure qualification.[40]

Matuidi scored his first international goal with a scissor kick in a 2–0 friendly win against the Netherlands on 5 March 2014.[41]

On 13 May 2014, Matuidi was named in Didier Deschamps' squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[42] On 8 June, he scored twice as France defeated Jamaica 8–0 in their final World Cup warm-up match.[43]

Matuidi started alongside Paul Pogba and Yohan Cabaye in midfield in France's opening match of the tournament, a 3–0 defeat of Honduras.[44] In the second match, Matuidi scored his first goal in a competitive international as Les Bleus beat Switzerland 5–2 and qualified for the knockout stage.[45]

Honours

Matuidi (centre), Coupe de la Ligue 2014 winner.

Club

Paris Saint-Germain

Individual

Ligue 1 Team of the Year (1): 2012–13

Career statistics

Club

As of 21 December 2014[citation needed]
Club Season League Cup[nb 1] Europe[nb 2] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Troyes 2004–05 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2005–06 31 1 0 0 0 0 31 1
2006–07 34 3 1 0 0 0 35 3
Total 67 4 1 0 0 0 68 4
Saint-Étienne 2007–08 35 0 2 0 0 0 37 0
2008–09 27 2 3 0 9 0 39 2
2009–10 36 1 5 0 0 0 41 1
2010–11 34 0 3 0 0 0 37 0
Total 132 3 13 0 9 0 154 3
Paris Saint-Germain 2011–12 29 1 2 0 4 0 35 1
2012–13 37 5 6 1 9 2 52 8
2013–14 36 5 7 1 9 1 52 7
2014–15 17 0 1 0 6 1 24 1
Total 119 11 16 2 28 4 163 17
Career total 318 18 30 2 37 4 385 24

International

As of 14 October 2014[46]
National team Year Apps Goals
France 2010 1 0
2011 3 0
2012 5 0
2013 10 0
2014 13 4
Total 32 4

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 5 March 2014 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France  Netherlands 2–0 2–0 Friendly
2. 8 June 2014 Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France  Jamaica 2–0 8–0 Friendly
3. 6–0
4. 20 June 2014 Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil   Switzerland 2–0 5–2 2014 FIFA World Cup

Notes

  1. ^ Includes Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophée des Champions, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana
  2. ^ Includes UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

References

  1. ^ "Blaise MATUIDI". Saint-Étienne (in French). Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  2. ^ "Blaise Matuidi: Most Improved Players". Ed Dove, Bleacher Report. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Matuidi, mediano scudo della difesa". Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). 2 February 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  4. ^ "quand Okocha régalait Matuidi". MaxiFoot (in French). 16 April 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  5. ^ a b c "Matuidi a tout d'un grand". Le Parisien (in French). France. 15 January 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  6. ^ "Gueugnon v. Troyes Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 23 November 2004. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  7. ^ "Guingamp v. Troyes Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 4 February 2005. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  8. ^ "Les resultats des clubs de CFA2 Groupe B". Stat2Foot (in French). Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  9. ^ "Troyes v. Lille Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 11 January 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  10. ^ "Matuidi signe son premier contrat pro". FootMercato (in French). 16 June 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  11. ^ "Troyes v. Sedan Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 28 April 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  12. ^ "Troyes v. Lens Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 26 May 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  13. ^ "Matuidi seals St Etienne move". Sky Sports. 12 July 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  14. ^ "Saint-Étienne v. Valenciennes Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 11 August 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  15. ^ "Wenger planning £8m raid for France Under-21 midfielder Matuidi". Daily Mail. UK. 8 October 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  16. ^ "Saint-Étienne v. Sochaux Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 16 August 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  17. ^ "H. Tel-Aviv v. Saint-Étienne Match Report". Union of European Football Associations. 18 September 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  18. ^ "Lille v. Saint-Étienne Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 15 November 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  19. ^ "Matuidi seeks summer exit". Sky Sports. 4 July 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  20. ^ "Saint-Étienne v. Bordeaux Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 3 October 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  21. ^ "Saint-Étienne v. Toulouse Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 8 May 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  22. ^ "ASSE: "Il ne manquait plus que ça"". Le Progrès (in French). 10 May 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  23. ^ "Payet va être sanctionné". Football365 (in French). 12 May 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  24. ^ "Payet et Matuidi ont fait la paix". RMC Sport (in French). 6 October 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  25. ^ "Matuidi et Menez au PSG (off.)". L'Equipe (in French). 25 July 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  26. ^ "PSG signs Menez, Matuidi to spur title ambitions". Sports Illustrated. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  27. ^ "Matuidi et Ménez s'engagent avec le PSG". Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (in French). 25 July 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  28. ^ "Paris Saint-Germain v. Lorient Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 6 August 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  29. ^ "BLAISE MATUIDI PROLONGE JUSQU'EN 2018". Paris Saint-Germain FC (in French). 26 February 2014.
  30. ^ "Payet et Matuidi ont fait la paix". French Football Federation (in French). 5 October 2006. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  31. ^ "La Belgique s'impose 1–0". French Football Federation (in French). 15 August 2006. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  32. ^ "France et Israël dos à dos (1–1)". French Football Federation (in French). 7 October 2006. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  33. ^ "La France éliminée". French Football Federation (in French). 11 October 2006. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  34. ^ "Les Bleuets s'imposent (4–0)". French Football Federation (in French). 7 February 2007. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  35. ^ "Les Bleuets s'inclinent (2–0) à Benidorm". French Football Federation (in French). 5 February 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  36. ^ "Allemagne et France dos à dos (1–1)". French Football Federation (in French). 10 October 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  37. ^ "L'Allemagne rejoint la Suède (1–0)". French Football Federation (in French). 15 October 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  38. ^ "Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa in Laurent Blanc's first France squad". Guardian Media Group. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  39. ^ "Cabaye forfait, Matuidi en renfort". French Football Federation (in French). 1 September 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  40. ^ a b "Blaise MATUIDI". FIFA. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  41. ^ "France 2 Holland 0". Daily Telegraph. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  42. ^ "World Cup 2014: Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy not in France squad". BBC Sport. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  43. ^ "France 8-0 Jamaica". BBC. 8 June 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  44. ^ "France 3-0 Honduras". BBC. 15 June 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  45. ^ "Switzerland 2-5 France". BBC. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  46. ^ Blaise.html "Blaise Matuidi". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 11 June 2014. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)

External links

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