Jérémy Ménez

At 36 years old, Jérémy Ménez has this physical status:

Jérémy Ménez (born 7 May 1987) is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for Italian Serie B club Reggina. Ménez has been described as an ambipedal, technically skilled, pacy playmaker.

Ménez began his career spending time with various clubs in the Île-de-France region such as the Centre de Formation de Paris and CSF Brétigny. In 2001, he secured a move to Sochaux and spent four years in the club's youth academy. In March 2004, Ménez became the youngest professional football player in the history of Ligue 1 after signing a professional contract and made his professional debut in the 2004–05 season. With Sochaux, he played European football for the first time after participating in the 2004–05 edition of the UEFA Cup. After two seasons at the club, he joined Monaco. At Monaco, Ménez developed into a playmaking midfielder under the tutelage of Brazilian manager Ricardo Gomes. After two successful seasons in Monaco, he signed for Serie A club Roma on a four-year contract. With Roma, Ménez featured in the UEFA Champions League for the first time and scored 12 goals in over 100 appearances with the club. In July 2011, after three seasons with Roma, Ménez returned to France signing a three-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain. He was then signed by AC Milan on a free transfer in June 2014, signing a three-year contract.

Ménez is a former French youth international and has represented his nation at every level for which he was eligible. Prior to playing for the senior team, he played in the under-17 team that won the 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. Ménez made his senior international debut in August 2010 in a friendly match against Norway. He represented his country at the Euro 2012.

Personal life

He has two children: a daughter, Maëlla (born 2012) and a son, Menzo (born 2014).

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Club career

Ménez was born in Longjumeau, Essonne. As an infant, he grew up in Vitry-sur-Seine, not far from his birthplace, and he adored hometown club Paris Saint-Germain. Ménez was attracted to football because of his father's father and older brother, who were football players themselves. Ménez began his playing career at Monterey's local club. Ménez joined Centre de Formation de Paris, a youth sports club that was designed to attract football players under the age of 19. Ménez honed his science and was thrust by his mentors into a playmaker role while working at C.F.P. He left the club after five years at the academy after feeling frustration with the academy coaches. Ménez joined CSF Brétigny, a French national team that also trained French internationals Patrice Evra and Jimmy Briand after leaving CFFP. He spent just a year with the club before deciding to join Sochaux in Franche-Comté.

Ménez, who arrived in Sochaux, joined the youth academy and began attending the sports department's elite high school, Vignes de Seloncourt, with aspirations of becoming an accountant. Ménez spent time in the club's academy and gained good marks in school both on and off the track. He signed his first professional contract with Sochaux on March 24, 2004, pledging a three-year contract before June 2007. He became the youngest professional football player in Ligue 1 history after signing the agreement. Ménez was then promoted to the club's senior team and given the number 26 shirt by manager Guy Lacombe. Ménez drew a lot of attention from English clubs Arsenal and Manchester United ahead of his signing his deal. Sir Alex Ferguson, the former manager of Sochaux, was accused of tapping up Ménez later this year; he accused Ferguson of visiting with the player's parents in Paris and offering them financial assistance. Manchester United denied the allegations. Ménez travelled to Manchester to visit the team's facilities and Old Trafford, the club's stadium, before deciding to remain in France.

Ménez made his professional debut against Ajaccio in the club's inaugural match of the 2004–05 season on August 7th. He started the game and played 57 minutes before being replaced for a 1–0 win. Despite being so young, Ménez was a regular on the team, often switching between the bench and starting XI. In a 3–1 win over Monaco over November 20, he scored his first professional goal. Ménez also became the youngest player in league history to score a hat-trick after scoring one in the team's 4–0 victory over Bordeaux two months later. He scored in a seven-minute span to bring Sochaux of victory. Ménez was a regular during the team's 2004-05 UEFA Cup campaign, appearing in six matches with the club. Sochaux was disqualified in the Round of 32 at the hands of Greek club Olympiakos. Ménez had been nominated for the UNFP Young Player of the Year award earlier this year, but he lost out to Nantes midfielder Jérémy Toulalan.

Ménez wore the number 11 shirt during the 2005–06 season and was given a greater role within the team under new coach Dominique Bijotat's leadership. He appeared in 31 league games, finishing fifth on the team, and scored three goals. Ménez scored his first goal in a 1-1 draw against Bordeaux on October 15, 2005. Ménez scored his final two goals in a 1–1 draw with Nice and a 4–0 victory over Saint-Étienne at the start of the new year. Sochaux ended the season in 15th place after finishing the four previous seasons in the top ten. Ménez was dissatisfied with his decision to leave the team and revealed his desire to leave the team. Sochaux chairman Dassier revealed on June 8, 2006, that he would consider offers for the player with Ligue 1 clubs Bordeaux, Monaco, and England club Arsenal.

Sochaux reported on its website on June 22nd, 2006, that it had reached an agreement with fellow Ligue 1 club Monaco for the transfer of Ménez. He has been with a four-year deal, with the transfer fee undisclosed. Ménez was given the number 10 shirt by boss László Bölöni and escorted to his new left-winger role. He made his club debut on August 19th in Rennes' 1–1 draw, as a substitute. Ménez scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 victory over Le Mans on September 30th, netting the game-winner ten minutes before time. Ménez failed to get consistent playing time and grew impatient after losing to Manchester United and Liverpool, which resulted in much-watched attention. In a 2–2 draw with Lorient on November 11, however, he was re-inserted into the starting lineup and scored the equalizing goal. Ménez stayed his form into the new year, but he suffered for fitness in February due to a groin injury. Ménez missed two months of play due to the injury, and he required surgery. In three-straight matches against Lille, Valenciennes, and Marseille, he rejoined the team in April and scored goals. Ménez's 2006-07 campaign came with a victory over Lyon, scoring the only goal in a victory over the champions.

Ménez opted to remain in Monaco amid the summer season's admiration for English Premier League clubs. He scored his first goal in the team's 3–0 win over Sochaux in the 2007–08 season. He netted once more this week, this time over Le Mans, who lost 3–1. Ménez scored a double against Lens on December 15th, a 3–1 victory. It was his first multi-goal game since his hat-trick three years ago. In a 2–0 away victory over Metz the following month, Ménez scored both of the team's goals. He sustained an injury in a league match against Paris-Saint Germain on February 23, 2008, which culminated in him leaving the match at halftime. Ménez missed three months before returning for the final two games of the season, making obligatory substitute appearances.

Ménez had signed a four-year deal with Italian club Roma after appearing in Monaco's first three league matches of the season. Monaco received another €1.5 million in incentives, despite the fact that the transfer fee was set to receive another €1.5 million. Ménez was introduced as the replacement for departed wingers Mancini and Ludovic Giuly and selected the number 24 shirt, the former number of club legend Marco Delvecchio. In the team's Serie A match against Napoli on August 31, he made his debut for the club against Napoli on August 31. He appeared as a replacement in the 63rd minute. Ménez played 51 minutes in a 3–1 victory in his UEFA Champions League debut against Bordeaux. In a 1–0 victory over Chievo over 6, he scored his first goal for the team on December 6th. Ménez struggled for consistent playing time, rarely lasting an entire game, and often starting on the bench for consecutive matches under Luciano Spalletti. He appeared as a replacement in the 75th minute against AC Milan on May 24, 2009. Ménez scored a goal to put Roma up 2–1; the capital club went on to win the match 3–2. In a 3–2 victory over Torino over the following week, he started the game and scored a goal. In the 59th minute, he was called out.

Ménez's famous number 94 shirt was purchased for the 2009-2010 season. On October 18, 2009, he scored against Milan for his first goal. He drew the ire of new boss Claudio Ranieri and several colleagues who chastised him for his replacement appearance against Cagliari, which was characterized as lacking a little bit of effort on Monday. "I touched the lowest point of my career in that game away from Cagliari," Ménez said, "My teammates were right to criticize me." Ménez issued an apology to coach Ranieri and his coworkers on Monday and denied rumors that he had requested a transfer request by announcing himself completely committed to the squad on Monday. Ménez, according to midfielder Simone Perrotta, needed only a boost of confidence on January 30. Ménez made his first appearance in a league match against Catania on February 21. He had been on duty as a replacement for four matches since the Cagliari match. He capped the return by assisting with the game-winning goal scored by Mirko Vuini. Roma finished the season in second place and qualified for the UEFA Champions League, with Ménez finishing the season off by starting eight of the final ten league matches.

Ménez began the season as a starter under Ranieri in the 2010-11 season after his good start to the previous season. Despite being a starter, Ranieri continued to destabilize Ménez's tenacity by consistently replacing him out in every match he started. Ménez scored his first goal of the season on November 3rd in a 3–2 Champions League victory over Swiss club Basel. In a 3–2 win over Fiorentina, he assisted on a Marco Borriello goal. Ménez played an entire match on November 13th for the first time in the season after being drawn 1–1 with Juventus. In a 2–0 win, he scored his first league goal and also assisted on a goal. Ménez scored the final goal in a 3–0 victory over Cagliari after going scoreless in December. Ménez scored a goal in Roma's first leg of its Champions League first knockout round tie with Shakhtar Donetsk on February 16, 2015. Ranieri resigned as boss five days after being replaced by Vincenzo Montella. Ménez was a substitute in Montella's first three matches as a replacement. He made his first appearance under Montella in a league match against Lazio on March 13 but was disqualified after 55 minutes. Ménez confessed to being dissatisfied with his playing time under Montella in an interview with French newspaper L'Equipe on Wednesday. Following Montella's reportedly "spent a quarter of an hour berating the France international" for a lack of commitment, the rage hit its high point on Monday, when Ménez and Montella got into an altercation during a morning training session. Ménez was attacked by stone-throwing "thugs" later that night, following the team's Coppa Italia tie with Inter Milan, but he was forced to leave the Stadio Olimpico in his vehicle, resulting in his car windshield being smashed.

The club had signed Ménez to a three-year contract on July 25, 2011, according to a spokesperson for the club. The transfer fee was €8 million plus potential future incentives. He was unveiled to the media on the same day, alongside fellow new signing and international teammate Blaise Matuidi, and was given the number 7 shirt. Ménez played his club debut for the team against the New York Red Bulls in the Emirates Cup's 1–0 loss. In PSG's opening 1–0 league loss to Lorient on August 6, 2011, he made his competitive debut for the team. In a 1–1 draw with Rennes, he assisted on the team's opening goal, scored by Kevin Gameiro. Ménez scored the team's final goal in PSG's first leg UEFA Europa League playoff round tie against Luxembourger club Differdange on August 18, 2011 in a 4–0 away win. In the victory, he was also responsible for a goal. In a 2–1 victory over Valenciennes, he again assisted Gameiro for a goal, giving the PSG their first league victory of the season. Ménez scored his first league goal for the club away from Toulouse on August 28; Paris Saint-Germain won the match 3–1.

Ménez enjoyed a good campaign for PSG, with seven goals and 12 assists, a career high for him, under the guidance of mentor Antoine Kombouaré and later Carlo Ancelotti. Ménez scored PSG's 2,000th goal in top-flight football on December 4, 2011, during a 3–2 home league victory over Auxerre.

Ménez was used less often in Ligue 1 matches in 2012-2013. He has scored two goals and two assists in five European appearances, but he has been one of his club's key players in their Champions League debuts, with a solid grasp on the pitch with new star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, another former Serie A player.

AC Milan, Milan's national team, reported in June 2014 that Ménez had joined the club on a three-year deal. Ménez scored a penalty on his debut for Milan against Lazio on August 31, 2014. He went on to score two goals against Parma, assisting Milan in defeating the game. His first goal was a penalty, and his second goal was a spectacular backheel finish. Milan beat Sampdoria 2–2 on Monday, Ménez scored a penalty kick and assisted Stephan El Shaarawy's goal.

In the Derby della Madonnina against Inter, Ménez scored a spectacular goal when he calmly converted El Shaarawy's cross in the far net. In the upcoming match against Udinese, he scored two goals and was dubbed man of the match. Ménez's great form was continued as he dribbled past three defenders and smuggled the ball into the net as he helped Milan defeat Napoli 2–0. Ménez scored two goals and gave an assist in the 3–1 loss to Parma on February 1st. In a 2–2 draw with Hellas Verona on 7 March, he had a penalty, a brace in a 3–1 victory over Cagliari on March 21, a career high in goals for a single club (15, surpassing his previous record of 14 for PSG). Ménez scored the winning goal after a long solo run against Palermo in a 2–1 win, Milan's first away win of 2015. Ménez's season ended poorly; on the 29th of April 2015, he was banned from playing an insulting gesture during the team's second match against Genoa but he was suspended due to a suspension. Ménez spent his first season with Milan as the club's top scorer, with 34 appearances and 16 goals in all competitions.

Ménez developed back pains and underwent surgery in Monaco in the following summer. He was barred from a month as a result of back-to-life issues arose on August 21. In a 2–1 league victory over Genoa on February 14, 2016, an infection prevented him from playing in the first 26 games of the 2015–16 season and prevented him from participating until his return. For the first time since April 2015, he started a match against Alessandria, winning 5–0 Coppa Italia and advancing twice.

Bordeaux and Milan signed an agreement on the transfer of Ménez on August 1, 2016. He was involved in a horrific attack against Lorient on August 3rd, two days after signing for the club. Didier Ndong, a former French international, incurred the injury in the second half, causing the former French national to lose a portion of his right ear. Ménez had only appeared as a replacement in the 62nd minute, but he had to be dismissed a few minutes later when the incident occurred. "I apologies to Jeremy Ménez and Girondins de Bordeaux" as a result of his injury. "I give him my complete support for the coming days and hope to see him on the pitches of Ligue 1 very quickly."

He joined Antalyaspor, a Turkish club, on June 9, 2017.

Ménez joined the Mexican side Club América on January 5, 2018. He made his Liga MX debut against Atlas on January 27th. In América's 1–0 victory, he appeared as a replacement in the 67th minute for Cecilio Domnnez. Ménez scored his first goal for América in a 5-1 victory over Lobos BUAP the following week. In América's 1–1 draw against Tigres UANL, he scored from the penalty spot to equalize the score on February 10th. He scored two points against Pumas UNAM in the quarterfinals away match, which América would later win 4–1.

He sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury, ruled out between 6 and 9, leaving him out of the 2019 Torneo Apertura.

Ménez and Club América announced on August 29, 2019, that they had dissolved their contractual relationship as a result of a joint deal.

He agreed to a one-year deal with French club Paris FC on September 27, 2019. Ménez left Paris FC in June 2020 and became a free agent.

Ménez signed a three-year deal with newly promoted Serie B club Reggina on June 23, 2020.

International career

Ménez has played for all of France's youth teams. He is a founder of the Génération 1987, which produced Hatem Ben Arfa, Karim Benzema, and Samir Nasri himself. Ménez made his youth international debut with the under-16 team in a friendly against Greece on December 11, 2002, playing with Nasri and Ben Arfa. Ménez scored his fifth goal of a 6–1 victory in the match. He scored goals in three consecutive matches at the 2003 Aegean Cup in Turkey. Ménez scored goals against Ukraine and Israel, as well as a goal against Belgium in the third round match against Belgium.

Ménez scored three goals, second-best on the team behind Ben Arfa, at the Montaigu Tournament. He scored a goal in the team's 8–0 victory over Gabon in the team's first group match, and in the team's 3–0 victory over Russia, he scored the opening goal. Ménez scored another goal in the team's last group stage match against England, winning by 3–1. Ménez led the team to the championship after scoring a double against the hosts in the final match at Salerno, Italy. In the group matches against Japan and Finland, he also scored two goals. Ménez finished the under-16 season with 14 appearances and a team-leading 12 goals.

Ménez, Ben Arfa, and Nasri were all part of Ménez' under-17 team and tasked with the 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Championship on home soil. Ménez made his team debut against Sweden in the first match of the season. He scored one goal in the Tournio de Val-de-Marne. France was crowned champions without losing a single point. Ménez contributed to the team's success by scoring two goals against Turkey in the group stage and second against Portugal in the semi-finals. He made 17 appearances and scored 6 goals for the under-17s in total. Ménez's time with the under-18 team was uneventful due to increased playing time at his parent club Sochaux. Ménez was a member of the 2005 Meridian Cup, scoring five goals in four matches as France were crowned champions.

Ben Arfa, Nasri, Benzema, and Ménez all returned to international play together for under 19 years. Issiar Dia, Blaise Matuidi, and Serge Gakpé were all joined by the four foursome with the intention of winning the 2006 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. Ménez went scoreless in the first round of qualifying for the tournament as France advanced undefeated. In the last round of qualifying, he scored a double against Bulgaria, a 4–0 win. Despite being undefeated in the round, France was disqualified after being defeated on points by Scotland.

Ménez was out early for the under-21 team during his early eligibility term, but he made his debut against the Netherlands on May 25th. He went months without a call-up before eventually returning to the team ahead of the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Germany in October 2008. When France was defeated 2–1 on aggregate, Ménez appeared in both legs. France was eliminated from the competition due to a 1–0 loss in the second leg, which also ended Ménez's under-21 debut.

Ménez was called up to the senior team by Laurent Blanc, team's new manager, for the team's friendly against Norway on August 5th. In the match between France and the United Kingdom, he made his international debut on the right wing. Ménez scored the team's 1–0 victory over Brazil on February 9, 2011 at the Stade de France on February 9, 2011, assisted on the team's only goal, scored by Karim Benzema. Ménez was named in the squad for the competition after being in qualifying for UEFA Euro 2012 on May 29th. In a 4–0 shutout victory over Estonia on June 5th, in the team's last warm-up friendly before the Euro, he scored his first international goal. Ménez made his debut at a senior international tournament on June 15th in the team's second group stage match against Ukraine at Euro 2012. In a 2–0 win, he started and scored France's first goal.

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