Claude Makélélé
Encyclopedia
Claude Makélelé Sinda is a retired football player who used to play as a defensive midfielder
for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1
. Prior to joining Paris Saint-Germain, Makélélé played for Nantes, Olympique de Marseille
, Celta Vigo
, Real Madrid
and Chelsea
. In homage to Makélélé, many fans and pundits alike have dubbed the defensive midfield position as the "Makélélé Role."
, Zaire
(now the Democratic Republic of the Congo
). "Makelele" means "noises" in Lingala, one of the languages spoken in Congo DR.
He moved to Savigny-le-Temple
, a suburb of Paris in Seine-et-Marne
, in 1977, when he was four years old. His father, André-Joseph Makélelé, was also a football player. He represented the Congo DR
, and ended his career in the Belgian First Division.
Makélélé had never left Savigny-le-Temple until the age of 16, when he joined the training centre of Brest-Armorique in Brittany
. According to him, it wasn't easy to adapt to the new life in Brest
. The training academy life was tough, especially as it was the first time he was far from his family.
He worked very hard in Brest, but it was in Nantes
where he discovered the real pleasure of playing. Makélelé was recruited by FC Nantes Atlantique
in December 1991, when he was still 18 years old. Robert Budzinski, the Sport director from Nantes confessed that once he had discovered Makélélé in Brest, he was sure he would become the new Emmanuel Petit
.
At the beginning of the 1992–93 season, Makélelé was already in the Nantes A-team, in the French first division
. He played at Nantes for five seasons, winning the French Championship in 1995 and helped the club to the semi-final of the Champions League
the following season. This earned him a move to Olympique de Marseille
for whom he played for one season.
where he spent two successful seasons at the Galician club. While playing alongside Aleksandr Mostovoi, Valery Karpin
, Haim Revivo
, and Michel Salgado
, Celta Vigo achieved historic victories such as 4–1 against Liverpool
and 4–0 against Juventus
in the UEFA Cup
. It was during this time that he began to mould his game into that of a true 'holding midfielder' or 'anchor man'.
. His transfer was controversial because Celta did not want to sell Makélélé unless a substantial improvement on their offer was made. Makélelé refused to train until there was resolution of his contract. Finally, Celta was reluctantly forced to sell him for €14 million, far less than their valuation of the player.
At Real, Makélelé substantially added to his medal tally, winning two Spanish La Liga
championships, the UEFA Champions League
, the Spanish Super Cup, the European Super Cup
, and the Intercontinental Cup
(now replaced by the FIFA World Club Championship). As an ever-present in Vicente del Bosque
's Real Madrid side, Makélelé also established himself as one of the best holding midfielders in the world.
However, despite his value to the team, Makélelé was one of its most (relatively) under-paid members, earning a fraction of that paid to teammates like Zinédine Zidane
, Luís Figo
, Raúl
, Ronaldo
, Roberto Carlos, Steve McManaman
, and Guti
. In the summer of 2003, feeling that his position at the club was insecure after the shock sacking of del Bosque and the arrival of David Beckham
, and encouraged by teammates Zidane, Raúl, McManaman and Fernando Morientes
, Makélelé decided to ask for an improved contract. The Real management flatly refused to consider his request. Upset, Makélelé handed in a transfer request, whereupon he was signed by Chelsea
. Club president Florentino Pérez
infamously poured scorn on Makélelé's footballing abilities and proclaimed that Makélelé would not be missed:
His opinion differed from that of players like Zidane, who remarked the following after Makélelé was sold and Beckham was bought:
In his autobiography, published in 2006, McManaman described Makélelé as the most important and yet least appreciated midfielder at Real. Retired former Real Madrid player and captain Fernando Hierro
also criticised Pérez for both Makélélé's departure and the manner of his departure, saying:
In the summer of 2003, he signed for Chelsea
for £16.8 million, where then manager Claudio Ranieri
proclaimed that Makélelé would be the "battery" of the team. Chelsea finished second in the FA Premier League 2003-04
championship and were eliminated by AS Monaco
in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League
.
Following the sacking of Ranieri and his succession by José Mourinho
, Makélelé was a key player in Chelsea's successful 2004–05
season, winning both the Premiership and the League Cup
. His defensive qualities allowed the likes of Frank Lampard
, Joe Cole, Arjen Robben
, Damien Duff
, Eiður Guðjohnsen
, and Didier Drogba
to parade their attacking skills. Makélelé's importance was recognized by Mourinho, who declared him Chelsea's "Player of the Year."
To cap off the 2004–05 season for the Frenchman, he was allowed to take a penalty awarded to Chelsea in the game against Charlton Athletic
on the day the Premiership trophy was due to be presented. The Charlton keeper, Stephan Andersen
, saved it, but Makélelé scored on the rebound. In September 2005, he was selected as a member of the World XI at the FIFPro
awards. The team was chosen by a vote of professional footballers in 40 countries. He added to his sizeable medal haul the following season, winning both the FA Community Shield
and the Premier League.
In March 2006, Fulham
defeated Chelsea 1–0 in a Premiership game in which Fulham manager Chris Coleman
's tactics centered on bypassing Makélelé on the wings when Fulham had possession and putting midfielders on Makélelé when Chelsea were in possession. With Makélelé struggling to function effectively, Chelsea lost the game. Coleman later explained that Makélelé was more than a mere defensive midfielder, but was actually Chelsea's deep-lying playmaker, and Chelsea's attacks were channeled through him. Thus, denying him possession was instrumental in unravelling Chelsea. Mourinho was subsequently forced to counter this tactic by withdrawing Lampard and Michael Essien
further back in midfield to relieve the pressure on Makélelé.
On 5 November 2006, in a league encounter with Tottenham Hotspur
, Makélélé scored his second goal for the club, a difficult curling volley from the edge of the 18-yard box which sped past Paul Robinson
into the left-hand side of the goal to cue a bench-clearing celebration. However, Tottenham sprang a comeback to beat Chelsea 2–1. However, this goal got him the best shot to goals percentage that year with one shot and one goal – 100%.
On 5 December 2006, in a League Cup game against Newcastle United
, Makélélé wore the captain's armband in John Terry
's absence and with Lampard rested. He was substituted at half-time for Lampard.
Makélélé also wore the captain's armband the following season, when Terry, Lampard, and Michael Ballack
were all unavailable. Makélélé was captain even when Terry and Lampard returned, for a crucial Champions League tie against Olympiacos, but Terry returned as captain the following weekend for the League Cup defeat against Tottenham.
The 2007–08 season was a period of renaissance for the 35-year-old Makélelé, as he played in the majority of Chelsea's fixtures. Despite an ear infection that made him miss an early part of the season, he regained his place and forced Michael Essien
into the right-back position, effectively pushing Juliano Belletti
out of the team. Makélélé was instrumental in Chelsea's run to the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final
Under the guidance of manager Avram Grant, but they were defeated by Manchester United
.
confirmed that the player would join them and would be unveiled at a press conference that afternoon. On 25 February 2010 he announced that he would retire at the end of the 2009/2010 football season. In June 2010, Makélélé retracted his statement and re-signed with Paris Saint-Germain for an additional season. He later retired at the end of the 2010/2011 season.
. By the end of 2004, he had gained 33 caps, and played for his country at the 1996 Olympic Games
, the 2002 FIFA World Cup
, and UEFA Euro 2004.
Makélélé decided to retire from international football in September 2004, in order to focus on club football with Chelsea, but eleven months later, in August 2005, he and compatriots Zinédine Zidane
and Lilian Thuram
were persuaded out of retirement to help France qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
in Germany.
As a member of the France national football team competing at the 2006 World Cup, Makélélé's performances as a tireless midfield spoiler were invaluable to France's progress to the final as they defeated Spain, the defending champions Brazil and Euro 2004 finalists Portugal in the knock-out rounds. His partnership with Patrick Vieira
in the defensive midfield proved effective as the team conceded only three goals in seven games, a tally only bested by world champions Italy.
After the defeat to Italy
on penalties in the World Cup Final, Makélélé initially commented that he was again going to retire from international football. However, he continued to play for France in their qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2008 and even the Euro 2008 finals. He again announced his retirement from international football on 17 June 2008, after France's 2–0 defeat to Italy, along with Thuram again.
. On 2 February 2005, Lenoir gave birth to a boy, Kelyan. The couple split in early 2009. Despite widespread reports Lenoir was married to Makélélé, she wrote a blog in 2009 clarifying their former relationship, saying: 'I’m not and have never been married. I do have a son. I have a wonderful baby’s father and have a great relationship with him, however I’ve been single for some time now.'
On May 2010, Lenoir attempted suicide. A large quantities of drugs and alcohol were found in her system.
|1992/93||rowspan="5"|Nantes Atlantique||rowspan="5"|Division 1
||34||1||||||||||||||||
|-
|1993/94||30||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|1994/95||36||3||||||||||||||||
|-
|1995/96||33||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|1996/97||36||5||||||||||||||||
|-
|1997/98||Marseille
||Division 1
||32||2||||||||||||||||
|-
|1998/99||rowspan="2"|Celta Vigo||rowspan="2"|La Liga
||36||2||||||||||||||||
|-
|1999/00||34||1||||||||||||||||
|-
|2000/01||rowspan="3"|Real Madrid||rowspan="3"|La Liga
||33||1||||||||||||||||
|-
|2001/02||32||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|2002/03||29||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|2003/04||rowspan="5"|Chelsea||rowspan="5"|Premier League||30||0||3||0||2||0||11||0||46||0
|-
|2004/05||36||1||0||0||4||0||10||0||50||1
|-
|2005/06||31||0||3||0||0||0||6||0||40||0
|-
|2006/07||29||1||2||0||6||0||9||0||46||1
|-
|2007/08||18||0||1||0||2||0||13||0||34||0
|-
|2008/09||rowspan="3"|Paris Saint-Germain
||rowspan="3"|Ligue 1
||34||0||0||0||0||0||5||0||39||0
|-
|2009/10||31||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||31||1
|-
|2010/11||33||0||0||0||0||0||3||0||36||0
299||12||||||||||||||||
164||4||||||||||||||||
144||2||9||0||14||0||49||0||216||2
607||18||||||||||||||||
|}
|1995||1||0
|-
|1996||0||0
|-
|1997||1||0
|-
|1998||1||0
|-
|1999||0||0
|-
|2000||3||0
|-
|2001||6||0
|-
|2002||9||0
|-
|2003||6||0
|-
|2004||8||0
|-
|2005||5||0
|-
|2006||14||0
|-
|2007||11||0
|-
|2008||6||0
|-
!Total||71||0
|}
Nantes
Real Madrid
Chelsea
Paris St Germain
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
. Prior to joining Paris Saint-Germain, Makélélé played for Nantes, Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
, Celta Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
, Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
and Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. In homage to Makélélé, many fans and pundits alike have dubbed the defensive midfield position as the "Makélélé Role."
Early career
Makélelé was born in KinshasaKinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
, Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
(now the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
). "Makelele" means "noises" in Lingala, one of the languages spoken in Congo DR.
He moved to Savigny-le-Temple
Savigny-le-Temple
Savigny-le-Temple is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne Department of France in the Île-de-France in north-central France. It is located in the south-eastern suburbs of Paris from the center...
, a suburb of Paris in Seine-et-Marne
Seine-et-Marne
Seine-et-Marne is a French department, named after the Seine and Marne rivers, and located in the Île-de-France region.- History:Seine-et-Marne is one of the original 83 departments, created on March 4, 1790 during the French Revolution in application of the law of December 22, 1789...
, in 1977, when he was four years old. His father, André-Joseph Makélelé, was also a football player. He represented the Congo DR
Congo DR national football team
The Congo DR national football team is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association , and are nicknamed The Leopards.Congo have been ranked as high as 51 in the FIFA Rankings...
, and ended his career in the Belgian First Division.
Makélélé had never left Savigny-le-Temple until the age of 16, when he joined the training centre of Brest-Armorique in Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
. According to him, it wasn't easy to adapt to the new life in Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
. The training academy life was tough, especially as it was the first time he was far from his family.
He worked very hard in Brest, but it was in Nantes
Nantes
Nantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants....
where he discovered the real pleasure of playing. Makélelé was recruited by FC Nantes Atlantique
FC Nantes Atlantique
Football Club de Nantes is a French association football club based in Nantes, Pays de la Loire. The club was founded on 21 April 1943, during World War II, as a result of local clubs based in the city coming together to form one big club. From 1992–2007, the club was referred to as FC Nantes...
in December 1991, when he was still 18 years old. Robert Budzinski, the Sport director from Nantes confessed that once he had discovered Makélélé in Brest, he was sure he would become the new Emmanuel Petit
Emmanuel Petit
Emmanuel "Manu" Laurent Petit is a retired French footballer, who played his club football for Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea...
.
At the beginning of the 1992–93 season, Makélelé was already in the Nantes A-team, in the French first division
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
. He played at Nantes for five seasons, winning the French Championship in 1995 and helped the club to the semi-final of the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
the following season. This earned him a move to Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
for whom he played for one season.
Celta Vigo
He was transferred to Celta VigoCelta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
where he spent two successful seasons at the Galician club. While playing alongside Aleksandr Mostovoi, Valery Karpin
Valery Karpin
Valeri Georgievich Karpin is a former Russian professional association footballer who played midfielder and former manager of FC Spartak Moscow...
, Haim Revivo
Haim Revivo
Haim Michael Revivo is a retired Israeli football player, and a businessman. He was especially famous for his free-kick goals and his entertaining celebrations after these goals.- From Ashdod to Tel Aviv :...
, and Michel Salgado
Míchel Salgado
Miguel Ángel "Míchel" Salgado Fernández is a Spanish footballer who plays for Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League, as a right defender.Nicknamed Il Due , he is known for his combative tackling and attacking play...
, Celta Vigo achieved historic victories such as 4–1 against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
and 4–0 against Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. It was during this time that he began to mould his game into that of a true 'holding midfielder' or 'anchor man'.
Real Madrid
In 2000, he was recruited by Real MadridReal Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
. His transfer was controversial because Celta did not want to sell Makélélé unless a substantial improvement on their offer was made. Makélelé refused to train until there was resolution of his contract. Finally, Celta was reluctantly forced to sell him for €14 million, far less than their valuation of the player.
At Real, Makélelé substantially added to his medal tally, winning two Spanish La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
championships, the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, the Spanish Super Cup, the European Super Cup
European Super Cup
The UEFA Super Cup is an annual football game between the reigning champions of the two cup competitions organized by UEFA: the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League...
, and the Intercontinental Cup
Intercontinental Cup (football)
The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
(now replaced by the FIFA World Club Championship). As an ever-present in Vicente del Bosque
Vicente Del Bosque
Vicente del Bosque González, 1st Marquis of Del Bosque is a former Spanish footballer He is currently the manager of the Spanish national football team. After taking over from Luis Aragonés who had led Spain to European success in Euro 2008, Del Bosque went on to manage the national team to the...
's Real Madrid side, Makélelé also established himself as one of the best holding midfielders in the world.
However, despite his value to the team, Makélelé was one of its most (relatively) under-paid members, earning a fraction of that paid to teammates like Zinédine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane was a leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship...
, Luís Figo
Luís Figo
Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, OIH, is a Portuguese former international footballer. He played as a midfielder for Sporting CP, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Internazionale, during a career which spanned over a period of 20 years. He retired from football on 31 May 2009...
, Raúl
Raúl González
Raúl González Blanco , known simply as Raúl, is a Spanish footballer who plays as a striker. He currently plays for German club Schalke 04....
, Ronaldo
Ronaldo
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima , commonly known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian footballer who last played for Corinthians. Ronaldo is widely considered to be the greatest 'pure' striker in the history of the modern game, and by some accounts, in the history of football. Ronaldo was one of the...
, Roberto Carlos, Steve McManaman
Steve McManaman
Steven McManaman is a retired English footballer who played as a midfielder, winger and playmaker. Having spent his playing career at two of European football's most successful clubs of the 20th century, Liverpool and Real Madrid, as well as a spell at Manchester City, McManaman is the most...
, and Guti
José María Gutiérrez
José María Gutiérrez Hernández, commonly known as Guti , is a Spanish footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder....
. In the summer of 2003, feeling that his position at the club was insecure after the shock sacking of del Bosque and the arrival of David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
, and encouraged by teammates Zidane, Raúl, McManaman and Fernando Morientes
Fernando Morientes
Fernando Morientes Sánchez is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a striker.His main asset was his aerial and strong goalscoring abilities. He played for a number of clubs throughout his career, including Real Madrid, Monaco, Liverpool, and Valencia...
, Makélelé decided to ask for an improved contract. The Real management flatly refused to consider his request. Upset, Makélelé handed in a transfer request, whereupon he was signed by Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. Club president Florentino Pérez
Florentino Pérez
Florentino Pérez Rodríguez is a Spanish businessman, civil engineer, former politician, and current president of Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, as well as ACS...
infamously poured scorn on Makélelé's footballing abilities and proclaimed that Makélelé would not be missed:
His opinion differed from that of players like Zidane, who remarked the following after Makélelé was sold and Beckham was bought:
In his autobiography, published in 2006, McManaman described Makélelé as the most important and yet least appreciated midfielder at Real. Retired former Real Madrid player and captain Fernando Hierro
Fernando Hierro
Fernando Ruiz Hierro is a retired Spanish footballer. He is mostly known for his spells with Real Madrid and Spain, appearing in more than 500 official games with the former and representing the latter on nearly 100 occasions, whilst appearing in four World Cups and two European...
also criticised Pérez for both Makélélé's departure and the manner of his departure, saying:
Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
for £16.8 million, where then manager Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri, is an Italian football manager, currently in charge as head coach of Internazionale.He has also managed many other well-known clubs in Europe, including Cagliari, Napoli, Fiorentina, Valencia, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Parma, Juventus and Roma.-Early life:Ranieri attended St...
proclaimed that Makélelé would be the "battery" of the team. Chelsea finished second in the FA Premier League 2003-04
FA Premier League 2003-04
The 2003–04 FA Premier League season was the twelfth season of the Premier League. In the end, Arsenal went through the season without a single defeat – only the second ever team to do so and were crowned champions once more, at the expense of Chelsea, who had spent heavily throughout the...
championship and were eliminated by AS Monaco
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
.
Following the sacking of Ranieri and his succession by José Mourinho
José Mourinho
José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho is a Portuguese football manager and the current manager of Real Madrid. He is commonly known as "The Special One".Mourinho is regarded by some players, coaches and critics as the best ever coach in football....
, Makélelé was a key player in Chelsea's successful 2004–05
FA Premier League 2004-05
The 2004–05 season of the FA Premier League began on 14 August 2004 and ended on 15 May 2005. Arsenal were the defending champions after going unbeaten the previous season....
season, winning both the Premiership and the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
. His defensive qualities allowed the likes of Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard
Frank James Lampard is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team. He also holds the position of vice-captain for his club side...
, Joe Cole, Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben is a Dutch footballer who plays for the German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. Though often classified as a forward, he usually plays behind the forwards as a winger, and he is also known for his dribbling skills...
, Damien Duff
Damien Duff
Damien Anthony Duff is an Irish footballer who plays for Premier League team Fulham and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he has participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and helped his team qualify for UEFA Euro 2012...
, Eiður Guðjohnsen
Eiður Guðjohnsen
Eiður Smári Guðjohnsen is an Icelandic footballer who currently plays for AEK Athens F.C. in the Superleague Greece. He has previously played for Premier League club Chelsea and FC Barcelona of Spain, having made his name with Bolton Wanderers. He was the captain of the Iceland national team until...
, and Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba
Didier Yves Drogba Tébily is an Ivorian footballer who plays in the centre forward position. He currently plays for Chelsea in the Premier League, where he is deputy vice-captain, and is the captain and all-time top scorer of the Côte d'Ivoire national football team...
to parade their attacking skills. Makélelé's importance was recognized by Mourinho, who declared him Chelsea's "Player of the Year."
To cap off the 2004–05 season for the Frenchman, he was allowed to take a penalty awarded to Chelsea in the game against Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
on the day the Premiership trophy was due to be presented. The Charlton keeper, Stephan Andersen
Stephan Andersen
Stephan Maigaard Andersen is a Danish professional football player, who plays as a goalkeeper for Évian in the Ligue 1...
, saved it, but Makélelé scored on the rebound. In September 2005, he was selected as a member of the World XI at the FIFPro
FIFPro
The Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnels , usually known by the abbreviation FIFPro, is a worldwide representative organization for professional football players. At the moment there are 43 national players associations who are members of FIFPro...
awards. The team was chosen by a vote of professional footballers in 40 countries. He added to his sizeable medal haul the following season, winning both the FA Community Shield
FA Community Shield
The Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
and the Premier League.
In March 2006, Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
defeated Chelsea 1–0 in a Premiership game in which Fulham manager Chris Coleman
Chris Coleman (footballer)
Christopher "Chris" Coleman is a Welsh football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of Greek Side Larissa....
's tactics centered on bypassing Makélelé on the wings when Fulham had possession and putting midfielders on Makélelé when Chelsea were in possession. With Makélelé struggling to function effectively, Chelsea lost the game. Coleman later explained that Makélelé was more than a mere defensive midfielder, but was actually Chelsea's deep-lying playmaker, and Chelsea's attacks were channeled through him. Thus, denying him possession was instrumental in unravelling Chelsea. Mourinho was subsequently forced to counter this tactic by withdrawing Lampard and Michael Essien
Michael Essien
Michael Kojo Essien is a Ghanaian footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Ghanaian national team. He is a midfielder who has often been touted as a box-to-box midfielder for his ability to exert boundless energy in supporting offensive and defensive play...
further back in midfield to relieve the pressure on Makélelé.
On 5 November 2006, in a league encounter with Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, Makélélé scored his second goal for the club, a difficult curling volley from the edge of the 18-yard box which sped past Paul Robinson
Paul Robinson (goalkeeper)
Paul William Robinson is an English footballer who plays for Blackburn Rovers as a goalkeeper in the Premier League. He had also been an England international and he earned 41 caps between 2003 and 2007 before his retirement from international football in August 2010.He joined Leeds United at 16...
into the left-hand side of the goal to cue a bench-clearing celebration. However, Tottenham sprang a comeback to beat Chelsea 2–1. However, this goal got him the best shot to goals percentage that year with one shot and one goal – 100%.
On 5 December 2006, in a League Cup game against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, Makélélé wore the captain's armband in John Terry
John Terry
John George Terry is an English professional footballer. Terry plays in a centre back position and is the captain of Chelsea in the Premier League...
's absence and with Lampard rested. He was substituted at half-time for Lampard.
Makélélé also wore the captain's armband the following season, when Terry, Lampard, and Michael Ballack
Michael Ballack
Michael Ballack is a German professional footballer, who is currently playing for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. He is among the top goal scorers in the history of his international team. Ballack has worn the number 13 shirt for every team he has played for except for Kaiserslautern...
were all unavailable. Makélélé was captain even when Terry and Lampard returned, for a crucial Champions League tie against Olympiacos, but Terry returned as captain the following weekend for the League Cup defeat against Tottenham.
The 2007–08 season was a period of renaissance for the 35-year-old Makélelé, as he played in the majority of Chelsea's fixtures. Despite an ear infection that made him miss an early part of the season, he regained his place and forced Michael Essien
Michael Essien
Michael Kojo Essien is a Ghanaian footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Ghanaian national team. He is a midfielder who has often been touted as a box-to-box midfielder for his ability to exert boundless energy in supporting offensive and defensive play...
into the right-back position, effectively pushing Juliano Belletti
Juliano Belletti
Juliano Haus Belletti , is a former Brazilian footballer. He was awarded the Silver Ball by Placar for his consistently great performances for Atlético Mineiro during the 1999 Brazilian Série A...
out of the team. Makélélé was instrumental in Chelsea's run to the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final
2008 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2008 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place on Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 20:45 CEST . The match was played at the Luzhniki Stadium, in Moscow, Russia, to determine the winner of the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League...
Under the guidance of manager Avram Grant, but they were defeated by Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
.
Paris Saint-Germain
On 18 July 2008, it was reported that Makélélé was about to take a medical the following day in Paris ahead of a proposed move back to French football. On 21 July, Chelsea announced they had released Makélélé on a free transfer, while Paris Saint-GermainParis Saint-Germain FC
Paris Saint-Germain Football Club , also known simply as Paris Saint-Germain and familiarly as Paris SG or PSG , is a professional association football club based in Paris, France. The club was founded on 12 August 1970, thanks to the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain...
confirmed that the player would join them and would be unveiled at a press conference that afternoon. On 25 February 2010 he announced that he would retire at the end of the 2009/2010 football season. In June 2010, Makélélé retracted his statement and re-signed with Paris Saint-Germain for an additional season. He later retired at the end of the 2010/2011 season.
International career
Makélélé has had a successful international career playing for FranceFrance national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
. By the end of 2004, he had gained 33 caps, and played for his country at the 1996 Olympic Games
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
, the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
, and UEFA Euro 2004.
Makélélé decided to retire from international football in September 2004, in order to focus on club football with Chelsea, but eleven months later, in August 2005, he and compatriots Zinédine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane was a leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship...
and Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram is a retired professional football defender and is the most capped player in the history of the France national team, and one of the twenty most capped players of all time.He played at the top flight in France, Italy and Spain for over 15 seasons, including ten in the Serie A with both...
were persuaded out of retirement to help France qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
in Germany.
As a member of the France national football team competing at the 2006 World Cup, Makélélé's performances as a tireless midfield spoiler were invaluable to France's progress to the final as they defeated Spain, the defending champions Brazil and Euro 2004 finalists Portugal in the knock-out rounds. His partnership with Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira is a retired French footballer of Senegalese descent who is the Football Development Executive at Manchester City....
in the defensive midfield proved effective as the team conceded only three goals in seven games, a tally only bested by world champions Italy.
After the defeat to Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
on penalties in the World Cup Final, Makélélé initially commented that he was again going to retire from international football. However, he continued to play for France in their qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2008 and even the Euro 2008 finals. He again announced his retirement from international football on 17 June 2008, after France's 2–0 defeat to Italy, along with Thuram again.
Personal life
In the spring of 2004, he began dating French model Noémie LenoirNoémie Lenoir
Noémie Lenoir is a French model and actress of African and European descent.-Career:Lenoir was first spotted by Ford Models when she was 16 years old. In 1995, Lenoir signed with L'Oréal, and has since appeared in their advertisements alongside Laetitia Casta and long-term model and actress Andie...
. On 2 February 2005, Lenoir gave birth to a boy, Kelyan. The couple split in early 2009. Despite widespread reports Lenoir was married to Makélélé, she wrote a blog in 2009 clarifying their former relationship, saying: 'I’m not and have never been married. I do have a son. I have a wonderful baby’s father and have a great relationship with him, however I’ve been single for some time now.'
On May 2010, Lenoir attempted suicide. A large quantities of drugs and alcohol were found in her system.
Club statistics
|-|1992/93||rowspan="5"|Nantes Atlantique||rowspan="5"|Division 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
||34||1||||||||||||||||
|-
|1993/94||30||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|1994/95||36||3||||||||||||||||
|-
|1995/96||33||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|1996/97||36||5||||||||||||||||
|-
|1997/98||Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
||Division 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
||32||2||||||||||||||||
|-
|1998/99||rowspan="2"|Celta Vigo||rowspan="2"|La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
||36||2||||||||||||||||
|-
|1999/00||34||1||||||||||||||||
|-
|2000/01||rowspan="3"|Real Madrid||rowspan="3"|La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
||33||1||||||||||||||||
|-
|2001/02||32||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|2002/03||29||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|2003/04||rowspan="5"|Chelsea||rowspan="5"|Premier League||30||0||3||0||2||0||11||0||46||0
|-
|2004/05||36||1||0||0||4||0||10||0||50||1
|-
|2005/06||31||0||3||0||0||0||6||0||40||0
|-
|2006/07||29||1||2||0||6||0||9||0||46||1
|-
|2007/08||18||0||1||0||2||0||13||0||34||0
|-
|2008/09||rowspan="3"|Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain FC
Paris Saint-Germain Football Club , also known simply as Paris Saint-Germain and familiarly as Paris SG or PSG , is a professional association football club based in Paris, France. The club was founded on 12 August 1970, thanks to the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain...
||rowspan="3"|Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
||34||0||0||0||0||0||5||0||39||0
|-
|2009/10||31||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||31||1
|-
|2010/11||33||0||0||0||0||0||3||0||36||0
299||12||||||||||||||||
164||4||||||||||||||||
144||2||9||0||14||0||49||0||216||2
607||18||||||||||||||||
|}
National team statistics
|-|1995||1||0
|-
|1996||0||0
|-
|1997||1||0
|-
|1998||1||0
|-
|1999||0||0
|-
|2000||3||0
|-
|2001||6||0
|-
|2002||9||0
|-
|2003||6||0
|-
|2004||8||0
|-
|2005||5||0
|-
|2006||14||0
|-
|2007||11||0
|-
|2008||6||0
|-
!Total||71||0
|}
Club
Nantes
- Ligue 1Ligue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
: 1994–95
Real MadridReal Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
- UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 2001–022002 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 2002 UEFA Champions League Final was the final match of the 2001–02 UEFA Champions League, Europe's primary club football competition. The show-piece event was contested between Bayer Leverkusen of Germany and Real Madrid of Spain at the Hampden Park in Glasgow, on Wednesday, 15 May 2002, to... - Supercopa de EspañaSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
(2): 20012001 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2001 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 19 August and 22 August 2001. It contested by Real Zaragoza, who were Spanish Cup winners in 2000–01, and Real Madrid, who won the 2000–01 Spanish League. Real Madrid won 4–1 on aggregate.-First leg:-Second...
, 20032003 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2003 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 24 August and 27 August 2003. It contested by RCD Mallorca, who were Spanish Cup winners in 2002–03, and Real Madrid, who won the 2002–03 Spanish League. Real Madrid won 4–2 on aggregate.-First leg:-Second leg:-References:... - Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
: 20022002 Intercontinental CupThe 2002 Intercontinental Cup was a football match played on 3 December 2002 between Real Madrid, winners of the 2001–02 UEFA Champions League, and Olimpia, winners of the 2002 Copa Libertadores. The match was played at the neutral venue of the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama in front of... - La LigaLa LigaThe Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
(2): 2000–01, 2002–03 - UEFA Super Cup: 20022002 UEFA Super CupThe 2002 UEFA Super Cup was played on August 30, 2002 between Real Madrid of Spain and Feyenoord of the Netherlands. Real Madrid qualified by beating Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final. Feyenoord had made it to the Super Cup after beating Borussia Dortmund in the 2002 UEFA Cup...
Chelsea
- Premier League (2): 2004–05, 2005–06
- League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
(2): 2004–05, 2006–072007 Football League Cup FinalThe 2007 Carling Cup Final was played on Sunday, 25 February 2007 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. It was contested between Arsenal and Chelsea, making it the first all-London final in the competition's history; the two sides had previously met in Cardiff for the 2002 FA Cup Final. The game... - FA Community ShieldFA Community ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
: 20052005 FA Community ShieldThe 2005 FA Community Shield was a football match held at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on 7 August 2005. It contested by Arsenal, who were FA Cup winners in 2005, and Chelsea, who won the 2004–05 Premier League. Chelsea won the match 2–1.... - FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
: 2006–072007 FA Cup FinalThe 2007 FA Cup Final was played on Saturday, 19 May 2007 between Chelsea and Manchester United, who had come up against Premier League opposition in every round. It was the 126th FA Cup Final and the first to be played at the new Wembley Stadium... - UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
:Runner-Up 20082008 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 2008 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place on Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 20:45 CEST . The match was played at the Luzhniki Stadium, in Moscow, Russia, to determine the winner of the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League...
Paris St Germain
- Coupe de FranceCoupe de FranceThe Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
: 2009–10