Mahamadou Diarra
Encyclopedia
Mahamadou Diarra is a Malian footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Mali national team
. He is captain of the national team.
. He played for French club Olympique Lyonnais
(Lyon) from 2002 until 2006 and formed a successful midfield partnership with Michael Essien
, winning four Ligue 1
titles during his time at the club. He was known for his strength in the midfield.
asked President Ramón Calderón
to sign three players, "Diarra, Diarra and Diarra". Real Madrid
joined in the race to sign Diarra, along with Manchester United. Lyon said that Diarra will not leave and put a €40 million price tag, which matched the price Chelsea
paid Lyon for Michael Essien
in the summer 2005. On 18 August 2006, Real Madrid agreed a fee of €26 million. On 22 August, he was unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu
by Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón, and was assigned the number 6 shirt, which had been worn by Iván Helguera in the previous season.
In 2006-07, Diarra was a staple player in Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello
's 2-defensive midfielder system. He lost his first team spot at one point, when he and Antonio Cassano
were caught on camera making fun of Capello during a training session. He played a pivotal role in the 2007-08 league success under new coach Bernd Schuster
, and established himself as the first-choice defensive midfielder, causing teammate Fernando Gago to play higher up field.
In October 2008, while playing an international fixture against Chad
, Diarra was stretchered off the field after receiving a blow to his knee. He was rested for a month and made his next appearance in late November, but was forced to undergo surgery after he aggravated his knee injury once more, ruling him out for the rest of the season. After enjoying two successful seasons, he lost his place in the team to the new signing Xabi Alonso
in the beginning of the 2009-10 season. With the successful integration of Xabi Alonso into the Madrid set up, Diarra was no longer the stalwart in midfield. With the arrival of Jose Mourinho
and the influx of players for the 2010-11 season, Sami Khedira
and Xabi Alonso
became the first choice pairing. In January 2011, after the acquisition of Emmanuel Adebayor
, Diarra's contract was bought out making him a free agent.
on 27 January 2011. He made his debut in a 0–0 draw against Olympique de Marseille
. Diarra left AS Monaco
after the club was relegated from Ligue 1
after the 2010-11 league campaign. Diarra has been linked with a move to the Middle East and Doncaster Rovers
.
in Nigeria. Having impressed at the U-20 tournament, Diarra was given his debut in 2001 and is currently the team captain. He won the award for Best Young Player at the 2002 African Cup of Nations.
| 1. || January 30, 2004 || Stade El Menzah
, Tunis
, Tunisia || || 1–2 || 1-3 || 2004 African Cup of Nations
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 2. || February 7, 2004 || Stade El Menzah
, Tunis
, Tunisia || || 2-1 || 2-1 || 2004 African Cup of Nations
|}
magazine says that "Diarra provides aggression, tactical awareness, toughness and the discipline that other players simply lack."
Real Madrid
Mali national football team
The Mali national football team, nicknamed Les Aigles , is the national team of Mali and is controlled by the Fédération Malienne de Football. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals.-History:...
. He is captain of the national team.
Early career
Diarra started his career with Greek side OFI CreteOFI Crete
OFI , the Sportfriends Association Heraklion, is a Greek association football club based in Heraklion, on the island of Crete. Outside Greece, the club is generally known as OFI Crete F.C., however, the name Crete is not actually part of the club's official title.OFI is the club with most...
. He played for French club Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
(Lyon) from 2002 until 2006 and formed a successful midfield partnership with 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...
, winning four 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....
titles during his time at the club. He was known for his strength in the midfield.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid coach Fabio CapelloFabio Capello
Fabio Capello is an Italian football manager and former player. He is the manager of the England national football team.Capello has the distinction of winning the domestic league title with every club he has coached throughout his career...
asked President Ramón Calderón
Ramón Calderón
José Ramón Calderón Ramos is a lawyer and an ex-President of Spanish sports club Real Madrid.-Life and career:...
to sign three players, "Diarra, Diarra and Diarra". 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...
joined in the race to sign Diarra, along with Manchester United. Lyon said that Diarra will not leave and put a €40 million price tag, which matched the price 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...
paid Lyon for 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...
in the summer 2005. On 18 August 2006, Real Madrid agreed a fee of €26 million. On 22 August, he was unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu
Santiago Bernabéu
Santiago Bernabéu may refer to:*Santiago Bernabéu Yeste - the former Real Madrid footballer and president*Santiago Bernabéu Stadium - the football stadium in Madrid named after the above...
by Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón, and was assigned the number 6 shirt, which had been worn by Iván Helguera in the previous season.
In 2006-07, Diarra was a staple player in Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello is an Italian football manager and former player. He is the manager of the England national football team.Capello has the distinction of winning the domestic league title with every club he has coached throughout his career...
's 2-defensive midfielder system. He lost his first team spot at one point, when he and Antonio Cassano
Antonio Cassano
Antonio Cassano is an Italian footballer who plays for Serie A club Milan as a striker. Nicknamed Il Gioiello di Bari Vecchia , he is known for his short temper as much as his ability on the pitch, which led to the coining of the neologism Cassanata by his former coach, Fabio Capello, in November...
were caught on camera making fun of Capello during a training session. He played a pivotal role in the 2007-08 league success under new coach Bernd Schuster
Bernd Schuster
Bernhard Schuster is a German football manager and former player, currently unemployed. His nickname is "der Blonde Engel" .-Club career:...
, and established himself as the first-choice defensive midfielder, causing teammate Fernando Gago to play higher up field.
In October 2008, while playing an international fixture against Chad
Chad
Chad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
, Diarra was stretchered off the field after receiving a blow to his knee. He was rested for a month and made his next appearance in late November, but was forced to undergo surgery after he aggravated his knee injury once more, ruling him out for the rest of the season. After enjoying two successful seasons, he lost his place in the team to the new signing Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso
Xabier "Xabi" Alonso Olano is a Spanish World Cup-winning footballer who plays for Real Madrid as a midfielder.Alonso began his career at Real Sociedad, the main team of his home region Gipuzkoa. After a brief loan period at Eibar he returned to Sociedad where then manager John Toshack appointed...
in the beginning of the 2009-10 season. With the successful integration of Xabi Alonso into the Madrid set up, Diarra was no longer the stalwart in midfield. With the arrival of Jose 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....
and the influx of players for the 2010-11 season, Sami Khedira
Sami Khedira
Sami Khedira is a German footballer currently playing for Real Madrid and the German national team. Khedira moved to Real Madrid from VfB Stuttgart in 2010...
and Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso
Xabier "Xabi" Alonso Olano is a Spanish World Cup-winning footballer who plays for Real Madrid as a midfielder.Alonso began his career at Real Sociedad, the main team of his home region Gipuzkoa. After a brief loan period at Eibar he returned to Sociedad where then manager John Toshack appointed...
became the first choice pairing. In January 2011, after the acquisition of Emmanuel Adebayor
Emmanuel Adebayor
Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor is a Togolese footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur as a striker on loan from Manchester City. He plays in the same position for the Togo national team. Adebayor previously played for Metz, Monaco and Arsenal and was voted African Footballer of the Year for 2008...
, Diarra's contract was bought out making him a free agent.
AS Monaco
Diarra signed with AS MonacoAS 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...
on 27 January 2011. He made his debut in a 0–0 draw against 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...
. Diarra left 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...
after the club was relegated from 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....
after the 2010-11 league campaign. Diarra has been linked with a move to the Middle East and Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
.
International career
Diarra first represented Mali at the youth levels. He was in the squad that took third place at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship1999 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Nigeria between April 3 and April 24, 1999. The 1999 championship was the 12th contested.- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.-Squads:...
in Nigeria. Having impressed at the U-20 tournament, Diarra was given his debut in 2001 and is currently the team captain. He won the award for Best Young Player at the 2002 African Cup of Nations.
International goals
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF| 1. || January 30, 2004 || Stade El Menzah
Stade El Menzah
Stade El Menzah is a multi-purpose stadium, located in the north of Tunis, Tunisia. Built in 1967, it has a maximum seating capacity of 45,000. It also has other minor complementary athletic facilities...
, Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
, Tunisia || || 1–2 || 1-3 || 2004 African Cup of Nations
2004 African Cup of Nations
The 2004 African Cup of Nations was the 24th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Tunisia. Just like in 2002, the field of sixteen teams was split into four groups of four...
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 2. || February 7, 2004 || Stade El Menzah
Stade El Menzah
Stade El Menzah is a multi-purpose stadium, located in the north of Tunis, Tunisia. Built in 1967, it has a maximum seating capacity of 45,000. It also has other minor complementary athletic facilities...
, Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
, Tunisia || || 2-1 || 2-1 || 2004 African Cup of Nations
2004 African Cup of Nations
The 2004 African Cup of Nations was the 24th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Tunisia. Just like in 2002, the field of sixteen teams was split into four groups of four...
|}
Playing style
FourFourTwoFourFourTwo
FourFourTwo is a football magazine published by Haymarket. Published monthly, costing £4.50, and at about 164 pages long, it published its 200th edition in February 2011...
magazine says that "Diarra provides aggression, tactical awareness, toughness and the discipline that other players simply lack."
Career statistics
- (correct as of 22 December 2010 )
| Club | Season | League | Cups | Continental | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lyon Olympique Lyonnais Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The... |
2002-03 | 25 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 38 | 1 |
| 2003-04 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 39 | 2 | |
| 2004-05 | 36 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 48 | 5 | |
| 2005-06 Ligue 1 season 2005/2006 Olympique Lyonnais won Ligue 1 season 2005/2006 of the French Association Football League with 84 points.-Participating teams:- Final table :Promoted from Ligue 2 , who will play in Ligue 1 season 2006/2007** Valenciennes FC : champion of Ligue 2... |
32 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 45 | 6 | |
| 2006-07 Ligue 1 season 2006/2007 Le Championnat 2006-07 was the 69th edition since its establishment. The competition took place on August 4, 2006, and ended on 26 May 2007.Once again, Olympique Lyonnais are the reigning champions of France, for the sixth time running... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 123 | 6 | 14 | 4 | 35 | 4 | 172 | 14 | |
| Real Madrid Real 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... |
2006-07 | 33 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 42 | 4 |
| 2007-08 La Liga 2007-08 -League table:||rowspan=2 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=7 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-Results:... |
30 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 38 | 0 | |
| 2008-09 La Liga 2008-09 -Personnel and sponsoring: FC Barcelona have no shirt sponsors, instead choosing to sport the logo of humanitarian organisation, UNICEF. Barcelona donates five million euros every year to the organisation and wears the organisation's logo on its jersey.... |
9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2009-10 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 0 | |
| 2010-11 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Total | 90 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 121 | 4 | |
| 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... |
2010-11 2010–11 Ligue 1 The 2010–11 Ligue 1 season was the 73rd since its establishment. Entering the season, Marseille were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 21 May 2010 and the season began on 7 August and ended on 29 May 2011. The winter break was in effect between 23 December and 15 January 2011... |
9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Total | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| Career Total | 215 | 9 | 24 | 4 | 56 | 5 | 295 | 18 | |
Club
LyonOlympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
- French 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....
: 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06 - Trophée Des ChampionsTrophée des championsThe Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries...
: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Real Madrid
Real 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...
- 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...
: 2006–07, 2007–08 - 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...
: 20082008 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2008 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 17 August and 24 August 2008. It was contested by Valencia CF, who were Spanish Cup winners in 2007–08, and Real Madrid, who won the 2007–08 Spanish League. Real Madrid won 6–5 on aggregate for their eighth Supercopa... - Copa del ReyCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
(1): 2010–112011 Copa del Rey Final-Aftermath:Real Madrid players celebrated their victory that evening by riding a double-decker bus through Madrid where they were greeted by cheering crowds. While holding the trophy aloft, Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos dropped the cup in front of the bus, where it was crushed. Ramos later...