Youssouf Fofana (born 10 January 1999) is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ligue 1 club Monaco and the France national team.
Early life and career
Youssouf Fofana was born on 10 January 1999 in Paris. He is of Malian descent.
While desperately trying to find a way back into the professional game, Fofana had to turn to a pizzeria in his two-year stint in football’s amateur ranks, working as a delivery driver.
“That was the best way to earn money and also to follow my dreams,” he said in a recent interview ahead of France’s quarter-final win over England:
“I had my doubts (about making it as a pro), and you have to know how to move forward.”
He credits the short but sweet experience, that lasted ‘a few months’, as a key part to his story that helps him stay grounded.
Considering the likes of Kante, Franck Ribery and even Dimitri Payet all had similar paths involving ‘normal’ work, he’s not in bad company.
Fofana began his career with various youth academies in Paris, before joining the youth academy of Strasbourg on 21 February 2017. He made his professional debut with Strasbourg in a 2–0 Ligue 1 loss to Lyon on 24 August 2018.
Fofana was a youth international for France from under-19 to under-21 level.
On 15 September 2022, Fofana received his first call-up to the France national team, for two UEFA Nations League matches.
Fofana played his final game for Strasbourg on 25 January 2020, in a 3–1 away win over Monaco. Four days later, Monaco signed him for €15 million, and he made his debut on 1 February, playing 71 minutes of a 3–1 away defeat to Nice.
International career
Fofana was a youth international for France from under-19 to under-21 level.
On 15 September 2022, Fofana received his first call-up to the France national team, for two UEFA Nations League matches.
Youssouf Fofana also made the French square for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Youssouf Fofana has shot to prominence with his performances at the 2022 World Cup, as Les Bleus go in search of back-to-back wins.
Having only received full international honours in September 2022, it’s been quite the rise to prominence for Fofana, who continues to excel on the world stage as France charge towards back-to-back World Cup crowns.
In a squad blessed with the flair of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, and the solidity of Raphael Varane and Dayot Upamecano, it’s hard to see how anyone doubted France. But with the likes of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante – two men key in their 2018 triumph – absent from the midfield, it left quite the hole to fill.
Enter Fofana, who has stepped up for Didier Deschamps when it matters most and starts in the World Cup semi-final for Les Bleus against Morocco.
A World Cup means it’s time for heroes, and while France haven’t been without those, Fofana is still managing to force his way into the conversation as an unsung one.
He’s been used mostly from the bench at the World Cup, but has featured in every game except the quarter-final thus far.
What is Youssouf Fofana’s style of play?
A midfielder by trade, the 23-year-old is a combative and all-action presence who can score, but isn’t a consistently prolific edge from the middle of the park.
Fofana does his best work in transitions; be it winning back the ball around the field or being involved in an effective press, he doesn’t shy away from putting in the hard yards. Fofana stands at 6’1 and uses his physical attributes well to compliment his impressive pressing intelligence and screening.
Per FBRef, he’s averaging 5.22 attempted progressive passes per 90 over the last 365 days and is always keen to advance play with line-splitting through balls or industrious carries, which are a big part of his game.
Parents and family
Youssouf’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Fofana.
Fofana was born in Paris to parents of Malian and Ivorian descent, and played football in his youth in the capital.
Wife/ Girlfriend
Youssouf Fofana is currently single and not in an open relationship for now. Youssouf Fofana is also not yet married.
Net Worth and Salary
Youssouf Fofana’s net worth as of 2022 is estimated at around $7.5 million – $15 million.
Youssouf Fofana earns over $2 million playing for Monaco FC.
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