Djibril Cisse

At 42 years old, Djibril Cisse has this physical status:

Djibril Cissé (born 12 August 1981) is a French footballer who plays as a striker. He began working at AC Arles in 1989, at the age of eight.

He spent six months at Nîmes Olympique before heading to Auxerre, where he joined the club's youth team.

Cissé spent two years in the system before progressing to the first team in 1998.

In 166 appearances, he played for Auxerre for six seasons, scoring 90 goals in 166 appearances, before moving to Liverpool, where he was born in 2004. Cissé played 79 games, scoring 24 times and winning the 2004–06 FA Cup during his time at Anfield.

With S.S. Panathinaikos, he continued to play in Greece.

Kuban Krasnodar and Lazio, Qatar, with Al-Gharafa and Russia.

He also had spells in English football with Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers, as well as France with Olympique de Marseille and SC Bastia.

Cissé made one appearance for JS Saint-Pierroise, a Réunion-based club, before being banned from professional football in 2015.

Cissé suffered from two leg breaks, breaking his left leg in 2004, and his right leg in 2006. He was also a member of the France national football team at the 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cups, as part of the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup winning team.

Personal life

Cissé was born in France to Ivorian parents. He is also descended on Guineans. Before his parents moved to France in 1974, Mangue, his late father, was a professional footballer and had captained his country. Djibril was the seventh and last child of his family's siblings, after N'ma, Damaye, Abou, Fode, Seni, and Hamed. Cissé bought a manor house in Frodsham, Cheshire, in 2005, and became Lord of the Manor of Frodsham. His decision to refuse the Cheshire Forest Hunt's permission to hunt on his property within a few weeks of buying the house attracted a lot of press coverage. Cissé married former Welsh hairdresser Jude Littler on June 18, 2005. The wedding took place at Bodelwyddan Castle, with notable guests including Shaun Wright-Phillips and Cissé's French national teammates Louis Saha and Sylvain Wiltord. In the red of Liverpool, he was married in a tuxedo.

Cassius, Prince Kobe, and Marley Jackson were married in October 2014 and have three children. Ilona, Cissé's daughter from a previous relationship, is her daughter. Cissé is a Roman Catholic convert from Islam.

Cissé converted to Christianity after being raised in a Muslim household.

Cissé appeared in a French action comedy film Taxi 4, which included a high-speed driving scene.

Cissé has his own clothing collection and fragrance, branded "Mr Lenoir."

He appeared on Season 6 of Danse with Les actors, the French version of Dancing with the Stars, in 2015. He appeared in Mask Singer's second season in 2021 disguised as a skeleton.

Cissé was one of four people arrested in France in October 2015 for reportedly attempting to blackmail Mathieu Valbuena using a sex tape extortion plot. In January 2021, he was cleared of the probe.

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Club career

Cissé joined AJ Auxerre at the age of 15. Cissé won the Coupe Gambardella, the equivalent of the FA Youth Cup, while playing for the youth team in 1999. Cissé made his Ligue 1 debut against Paris Saint-Germain on March 20, 1999, after being named in the first team squad by coach Guy Roux. In a 2–1 loss of FC Metz, his first goal came at the start of the 2000-01 season. He scored eight goals from 25 games this season, his first as a regular in the first team.

Cissé, the top scorer in Ligue 1 in 2001-02, was the top scorer with 22 goals from 29 games, as Auxerre finished in third place and qualified for the 2002-03 UEFA Champions League. Cissé made his debut for the France national team and gained a spot in the team's squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Cissé was again one of the league's top scorers in 2002-03, with 14 goals. In Auxerre's fruitful Coupe de France campaign, he scored six goals in six matches, including both goals in the semi-final victory over PSG.

Cissé's most fruitful goalscoring season was 2003-2004, with 30 goals in all leagues, including 26 in Ligue 1 to win the golden boot for the second time.

Cissé played in 128 league games for Auxerre before signing for Liverpool in a £14 million contract in the summer of 2004.

Cissé was scoring 5 goals in 24 first-team games in all leagues for Liverpool in the 2004–05 season. When a bizarre accident occurred against Blackburn Rovers on October 30, 2004, he had only played 19 games for Liverpool. Cissé's boot became trapped in the turf and his leg snapped, while Blackburn's Jay McEveley was bouncing for the ball. This resulted in a fractured tibia and fibula, as well as physio Daryl Martin, who said, "It could take six to nine months for a recovery, and the worst-case scenario is 18 months." Cissé later admitted that if the leg below the knee hadn't been for prompt attention from the trainers at the stadium, he may have missed the leg below the knee." He had pins stitched in his leg, and was expected to be out of action for the remainder of the 2004–05 season.

However, Cissé was able to return to full form in the second leg of Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final match against Juventus on April 13, 2005. In Liverpool's last Premiership match of the season, he scored both goals, winning by 2–1 over Aston Villa and also converted a penalty. On several occasions, Liverpool manager Rafael Bentez deployed Cissé on the right wing during the 2005–06 season. Although his pace made him well-suited to such a role, it was unclear if he would be content to continue in this role rather than in his preferred position as a striker. Liverpool defeated the 2005 UEFA Super Cup with two goals. With a sliding shot past West Ham United keeper Shaka Hislop, Cissé scored Liverpool's opening goal in the 2006 FA Cup Final. Liverpool won 3-1 on penalties after being pushed to victory 3–1. In all competitions, he scored 19 goals in the 2005–06 season.

The media had credited Cissé with a departure from Anfield in the summer of 2005. As the season progressed, speculation heightened. It was announced in early June 2006 that a transfer to Olympique de Marseille had been confirmed. Cissé broke his leg during France's last warm up match against China on June 7th, 2006, on the same day. Even though a quick recovery was expected, Cissé's transfer was postponed until at least the January transfer window, according to the reports. However, in July 2006, the two teams reached a loan agreement.

Cissé returned to training on October 20, 2006, scoring his first goal for Olympique de Marseille, defeating AS Saint-Étienne 2–1. Cissé's appearances in 14 appearances by April were so poor that former footballer Jean-Pierre Papin begged Cissé's followers to be patient as the striker recovered from his career-threatening injury. Despite the slow start, Cissé scored four goals in his final 7 league appearances to finish with 8 goals in 21 league appearances, helping Marseille to finish second in the 2006–07 season and guarantee a Champions League spot for the 2007–08 season. He scored two goals in the French Cup Final against Sochaux on May 12, 2007, but Marseille lost the match 5–4 on penalties after an extra time due to late equalizer Anthony Le Tallec, another Liverpool player on loan.

Marseille's president, Pape Diouf, revealed on July 7 that the club had agreed to a transfer for Cissé's permanent fee of €8 million. Cissé later appeared in the English Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, Wigan Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, and Bolton Wanderers, who were all keen. Manchester City's bid for Cissé was rejected by the Marseille chief, who said, "He is wanted, for sure; I myself have been approached by Manchester City (about Cissé), but I turned it down categorically." In Marseille's 6–1 victory over Caen on January 26, 2008, Cissé scored a hat-trick.

Cissé transferred to Sunderland, a Premier League club, on August 20, 2008. Cissé scored the winning header on his debut against Tottenham, making it 2–1 to Sunderland, who was on the same ground where he had scored on his Liverpool debut. Cissé revealed just days later that he wanted to lock down a long-term deal with the club. In the News of the World, manager Roy Keane expressed his desire to sign Cissé, saying, "I'd be able to crack the transfer record if Djibril's doing the job." Cissé scored his third Sunderland goal in the Tyne-Wear derby on October 25, 2008, with Sunderland winning 2–1. Cissé, who scored in a 4–1 victory over Hull, said that despite Roy Keane's departure from Sunderland, the player wished to complete a permanent move to the club. Cissé scored his 10th league goal of the season on Sunday in a 1-0 victory over Hull City at the Stadium of Light on April 18, 2009. Sunderland would not be retaining the option to sign Cissé permanently on May 24, and he later returned to Marseille.

Cissé signed a four-year deal with Panathinaikos on June 25, 2009. The player would make €2.5 million per year, according to reports, while French club Marseille will be paid €8 million as a result of a transfer fee. Taking into account the various bonuses, the total cost of the transfer is estimated at €20 million. He scored his first goal in Greece against Crete-based Ergotelis, and soon after he became the team's new captain. He was the topscorer for the 2009–10 Superleague, leading his team to victory the double. Cissé scored 23 goals in 28 matches in his first year in Greece.

Fans of Panathinaikos adore Cissé's appearances. Since playing the double in Greece, he would love to play again in the Champions League with Panathinaikos and aiming for a fruitful season in Greece. In a 2–1 home win over arch-rivals Olympiacos on October 30, 2010, he scored two goals (one penalty) in the Derby of the eternal enemies against arch-rivals Olympiacos. Cissé said at the MVP award ceremony for the 8th game, "I am not just a Panathinaikos player, but also a fan." He has already scored 18 goals in 20 games in the Greek League and one in the Greek Cup. He was also Panathinaikos' team captain and the team's most valuable player.

Olympiacos defeated Panathinaikos (2–1) in Karaiskaki Stadium on February 19, 2011 in a tense match. Cissé had a wrangle with Olympiacos president Evangelos Marinakis, who also used homophobic words against Cissé, shortly after the game. He was defeated by Olympiacos' fans and announced that he would appeal to the UEFA. He also said that he had lost his patience with Greece's volatile referees: "I will make my decisions, but trust me, I've had enough." I can't go on under these conditions." Cissé scored 50 goals as a Panathinaikos player in both domestic and European competitions just one month after. He celebrated this achievement by wearing a t-shirt of Panathinaikos supporters group Gate 13.

Cissé was sold to Lazio, a Serie A club, on July 11, 2011 for €5.8 million. He has been on the Italian side for four years. On 18 August, he made his debut in a UEFA Europa League match against FK Rabotni, scoring two goals in a 6–0 win for the home team. Cissé scored his only league goal for Lazio on his debut in a 2–2 draw with Milan at the San Siro on September 9th.

Cissé signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee on January 31, 2012. It was Mark Hughes' fourth signing after he took over as manager. In a 2–2 draw at Villa Park on 1 February, he scored on his debut against Aston Villa in a 2–2 draw. In his second game for violent conduct, he was given a straight red card as he responded to a late threat from Wolverhampton Wanderers player Roger Johnson by grasping Johnson by the throat. With QPR down to ten men, they went on to lose the game 2–1. Cissé scored QPR's equalizing goal in a 3–2 victory over his former club Liverpool on March 21, 2012. Fraizer Campbell of Sunderland was dismissed for the second time in his first five games for QPR when he was sent straight off for a two-footed lunge on him. He came back from suspension on April 29, 2012, scoring a late consolation goal against Chelsea in a 6–1 loss at Stamford Bridge. Cissé defeated Stoke City 5-0, his fifth goal in seven matches. Cissé scored the goal against Manchester City 1–1. This was his sixth goal in eight QPR games. QPR lost the match 3–2, after City scored two goals in stoppage time, but didn't relegate after Bolton sank to a 2–2 draw at Stoke. In a 3–2 loss against Reading in the League Cup and his first Premier League goal of the season, Cissé picked the number nine for his jersey and scored his first goal of the season in the 2012-13 season. He joined Al Gharafa on loan from Qatari club Al Gharafa until the end of the season in January 2013. On June 30th, his loan came to an end. He appeared in nine league appearances and scored one goal in the championship and four in the AFC Champions League. Cissé was released by mutual consent on June 28, 2013.

Cissé signed a one-year deal (plus one in preference) with Kuban Krasnodar on July 3, 2013. He signed an 18-month contract with SC Bastia on January 1, 2014.

Cissé signed for Saint-Pierroise of the Réunion Premier League in June 2015, the first year in the same year. Cissé resigned from football at the age of 34 due to injury on October 20. Cissé returned to football on July 4th, 2017 after being signed by Swiss side Yverdon.

Cissé signed "A.C. Vicenza 1902," another phoenix club of Vicenza Calcio, in August 2018. However, the club began owing to players' wages after failing to qualify for Serie D.

Cissé also confirmed that he would come out of retirement in May 2020. He wanted to score four more goals in Ligue 1 to reach the record of 100 goals.

Cissé was a member of Panathinaikos Chicago in April 2021, the first division amateur team of the United States, ahead of the 2021 season.

International career

Cissé was a member of the France Under 19 Team in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship, where they advanced to the quarter-finals after scoring six goals in five games. These goals included a hat-trick against Iran on June 18, 2001 in a 5–0 victory in their first game, and two goals against Germany on June 27, 2001 in the round of 16.

He was drafted in the France under-21 team. In the 2004 European Under-21 Football Championship, the European Under-21 Football Championships was contested. Cissé won by 2–1 after scoring two goals against Portugal in the first leg of qualification playoffs. Cissé scored a goal in the second leg, but he was suspended for kicking Mário Sérgio. After drawing 3–3 on aggregate, France went on to lose the game 4–1 on penalties. He was banned from playing five matches after being sent off and missed UEFA Euro 2004.

Cissé made his international debut against Belgium at the age of 21, being a 48th-minute replacement for David Trezeguet on 18 May 2002. For the 2002 FIFA World Cup, team manager Roger Lemerre used Cissé in his 23-man squad. He appeared in all three games against Senegal, Uruguay, and Denmark, serving as a replacement in all three games, but France was disqualified in the World Cup group stages. In the Euro 2004 qualifiers, his first goal in the senior tournament came against Cyprus on September 7, 2002. Cissé was a member of the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup championship team. In France's 1–0 victory over Colombia on June 18, 2003, he scored his first goal of the tournament from the penalty spot.

Cissé was next in the 2006 FIFA World Cup tournament in Germany after being barred from UEFA Euro 2004, 2004. He sustained another broken leg in France's last warm-up match against China on June 7, 2006. He was knocked off balance by China captain Zheng Zhi and fell with his leg twisting under him as ten minutes into the game began. "It's so strange to hear Djibril scream like this," said fellow French striker Thierry Henry. "You'll miss a coworker and also a friend." But he is tough; he will return. Because he was out of the tournament, he needed urgent surgery to repair his open fractured tibia. Cissé played three games during the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying season, but did not gain a spot in the France squad for the finals.

Cissé was recalled by the French squad against Spain in Paris after demonstrating his goal-scoring form for Panathinaikos in March 2010. He had a big influence when he came into the game as a replacement, but only for Iker Casillas to push it into the spotlight. He was included in France's final 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa on May 11, 2010, according to manager Raymond Domenech. For the team's last game of the group stage versus South Africa on June 22, he was in France's starting eleven for the team's last game of the season.

Coaching career

Cissé took up teaching jobs in the youth department of Marseille's former club.

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