Mohamed Sissoko

Mohamed Lamine Sissoko (born 22 January 1985) is a former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. Born in France, he represented France at youth international level before playing for the Mali national team.

Mohamed Sissoko
Sissoko in 2012
Personal information
Full name Mohamed Lamine Sissoko[1]
Date of birth (1985-01-22) 22 January 1985[2]
Place of birth Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[3]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder[4]
Youth career
Troyes
1998–2002 Auxerre
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2003 Auxerre 0 (0)
2003–2005 Valencia 45 (0)
2005–2008 Liverpool 51 (1)
2008–2011 Juventus 71 (3)
2011–2013 Paris Saint-Germain 28 (2)
2013 → Fiorentina (loan) 5 (0)
2013–2015 Levante 31 (0)
2015 Shanghai Shenhua 10 (1)
2016 Pune City 13 (2)
2017 Ternana 1 (0)
2017 Mitra Kukar 26 (5)
2017–2018 Atlético San Luis 13 (1)
2018 Kitchee 3 (0)
2019 Sochaux 13 (0)
Total 310 (15)
International career
2003–2013 Mali 34 (2)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Mali
Africa Cup of Nations
Third place2013 South Africa
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Auxerre

Sissoko played as a second striker in the youth system of French club AJ Auxerre.[5]

Valencia

In 2003 Sissoko made a free transfer to Spanish club Valencia CF, managed by Rafael Benítez,[6] where he was deployed in midfield.[5] Valencia won the 2003–04 La Liga title and in the same year became UEFA Cup champions, during which Sissoko played nine matches. The following year, Benítez left to manage Liverpool and was replaced by Claudio Ranieri.

Liverpool
Sissoko playing for Liverpool in 2005

Sissoko moved from Valencia to Liverpool for £5.6 million in the summer of 2005.[7] His first appearance was against Kaunas on 26 July 2005 in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.[8] In February 2006, he suffered serious eye injury after collision with Benfica's midfielder Beto.[9]

Sissoko was part of the FA Cup winning side in 2006 and played an integral role for the team. In the summer of 2007, Sissoko rejected offers from Barcelona, CSKA Moscow and Juventus to stay on Merseyside. His only goal for Liverpool came on 25 August 2007, a low shot from twenty yards out against Sunderland in a 2–0 away win.[10]

Juventus

In January 2008 Sissoko transferred to Italian club Juventus, where he would team up with former coach Claudio Ranieri, for a fee of €11 million. He made his first appearance for the club in February 2008, coming in as a 67th minute substitution for Tiago in a Serie A fixture versus Cagliari Calcio. Sissoko scored his first goal for Juventus on 2 March 2008, the equaliser against Fiorentina. During the first half of the 2008–09 season, he regularly featured in the starting line-up, forming a partnership with youngster Claudio Marchisio as the centre midfield pair in Claudio Ranieri's 4–4–2 formation. His season ended early after he broke his foot in March 2009 ruling him out for the rest of that season and into the start of the 2009–10 season.[11]

Sissoko's injury problems continued throughout the rest of the 2009–10 season and into 2010–11 season, as he suffered thigh strains, a leg strain, Achilles tendon inflammation, and finally season-ending knee surgery in March 2011.[12]

Paris Saint-Germain

On 28 July 2011, Sissoko moved to Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer fee of €7 million, plus €1 million if they qualified for the Group Stage of the UEFA Champions League before September 2013.[13] Sissoko scored his first goal for PSG in November, when he headed in a cross from Nenê,[14] in a 1–1 draw against Bordeaux at the Stade Chaban Delmas.[15] In April 2012 he captained the squad against rivals Olympique de Marseille in Le Classique, but was sent off in the 86th minute for two bookable offences in a game that finished 2–1 to the Parisian club.[16]

On 30 January 2013, Sissoko joined Fiorentina on loan.[17] On 3 September 2013 Sissoko left PSG by mutual consent.[18]

Later years

On 30 January 2014, Sissoko joined La Liga side Levante on a six-month deal after spending nearly five months without a club.[19] On 25 June 2015, he was transferred to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, and was released on 21 February 2016.[20]

On 1 October 2016, he joined Indian Super League franchise FC Pune City as a marquee player.[21] On 17 February 2017, he joined Italian club Ternana Calcio on a six-month contract,[22] but terminated his contract just 25 days later.[23]

On 13 April 2017, he joined Indonesian club side Mitra Kukar on a one-year contract.[24] On 2 December 2017, Sissoko switched to Mexican club Atlético San Luis.[25]

On 4 July 2018. Sissoko moved to Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee on a one-year deal.[26] Less than four months later, he terminated his contract in order to care for his father in France.[27]

On 16 January 2019, he signed a six-month contract with FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.[28]

In January 2020, Sissoko announced his retirement as a player.[29][30]

International career

Born in Mont-Saint-Aignan, France, Sissoko represented France at youth level. He was eligible to play for the France national team but opted to play international football for his ancestral country, Mali. He obtained his first international call-up to the Mali national team in 2004, and appeared for his country in almost all African Cup of Nations qualifiers and tournaments since then. He also featured in FIFA World Cup qualifiers for both 2006 and 2010. Sissoko made 34 official appearances for Mali, and scored 2 goals. With Mali, he finished fourth in the 2004 African Cup of Nations, and third in the 2013 African Cup of Nations.[31]

Style of play

A large, quick, combative, and physically strong defensive midfielder, Sissoko excels as a ball winner, a role which allows him to support his more offensive midfield teammates defensively by laying off the ball to them after winning back possession. Due to his tenacious tackling, stamina, work-rate, and tactical intelligence, he has been compared to former French midfielder Patrick Vieira,[32][33] also earning the nickname "La Piovra" (the octopus) during his time with Juventus, due to his long limbs and energetic style of play.[5] In addition to his ball-winning abilities, and his physical and athletic attributes, he is also known for his powerful striking ability from distance.[34]

Personal life

Sissoko is the nephew of former African Footballer of the Year Salif Keïta,[35] who, like Sissoko, played for Mali and Valencia CF. Salif Keita is also the uncle of former FC Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita. Both Sissoko and Seydou Keita play similar roles as hard-tackling defensive midfielders. Sissoko is sometimes referred to as "the Black Ninja" for his tenacious tackling and work rate. He is the elder brother of Abdou Sissoko.[5] He is the cousin of the footballer Oumar Sissoko.[36]

Sissoko has said "I am proud of being a Muslim and I follow Ramadan even during the football tournament," on the Dubai-based Arab TV network, Al Arabiya.[37]

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[38][39]
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Auxerre 2002–03 Ligue 1 000000——00
Valencia 2003–04 La Liga 21040—91—341
2004–05 24000—50—290
Total 4504000141—631
Liverpool 2005–06 Premier League 26060001103[40]0460
2006–07 160002090—270
2007–08 91002030—141
Total 511604023030871
Juventus 2007–08 Serie A 15100—00—151
2008–09 21230—80—322
2009–10 17010—60—240
2010–11 18010—100—290
Total 71350—240—1003
Paris Saint-Germain 2011–12 Ligue 1 252000030—282
2012–13 30001030—70
Total 282001060—352
Fiorentina (loan) 2012–13 Serie A 5000———50
Levante 2013–14 La Liga 10000———100
2014–15 21000—00—210
Total 310000000—310
Shanghai Shenhua 2015 Chinese Super League 10150———151
Pune City 2016 Indian Super League 132————132
Ternana Calcio 2016–17 Serie B 10————10
Mitra Kukar 2017 Liga 1 265————265
Atlético San Luis 2017–18 Ascenso MX 13110———141
Kitchee 2018–19 Hong Kong Premier League 3000——1040
Sochaux 2018–19 Ligue 2 1300000——130
Career total 31015160506714040216

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year[41]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Mali 200310
2004101
200531
200630
200720
200870
200900
201020
201100
201200
201360
Total342
As of match played 18 December 2022.
Scores and results list Mali's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sissoko goal.
List of international goals scored by Mohamed Sissoko
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
126 January 2004Stade 15 Octobre, Bizerte, Tunisia Kenya1–03–12004 African Cup of Nations
23 September 2005Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako, Mali Congo2–02–02006 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Valencia

Liverpool

Paris Saint-Germain

Mali

Individual

  • Community Shield Man of the Match: 2006[49]

References
  1. "Entreprise SCIsisko à Lille (59800)" [Company SCIsisko in Lille (59800)]. Figaro Entreprises (in French). 24 December 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
    "Mohamed Sissoko". BFM Business (in French). Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  2. "Mohamed Sissoko: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  3. "FIFA Club World Championship Japan 2005 – Official Rosters". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 December 2005. Archived from the original on 19 December 2005.
  4. "Momo Sissoko". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  5. Alberto Mauro (13 February 2009). "Sissoko: "Sono La Piovra"" [Sissoko: "I am The Octopus"]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  6. "CAS 2005/O/530" (PDF) (in French). Court of Arbitration for Sport. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  7. "Sissoko completes Liverpool move". BBC Sport. 13 July 2005. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  8. "Kaunas 1-3 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 26 July 2005. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  9. "Specialist optimistic for Sissoko". BBC Sport. 23 February 2006.
  10. "Sunderland 0 Liverpool 2". LFC History. 25 August 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  11. "Sissoko suffers injury setback". BBC. 8 March 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  12. "Juve blow as Sissoko out for season". ESPN Soccernet. 2 March 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  13. "Sissoko moves to Paris Saint Germain". Juventus FC. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  14. PSG, Bordeaux settle for a 1-1 draw Fox Soccer. 6 November 2011.
  15. "Bordeaux vs. Paris Saint-Germain - Football Match Report - November 6, 2011 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  17. Mohamed Sissoko to join Fiorentina FIFA.com. 31 January 2013.
  18. Momo Sissoko leaves PSG Soccernews.com. 3 September 2013.
  19. "El Levante UD firma a Mohamed Sissoko hasta final de temporada" [Levante UD signing Mohamed Sissoko until end of season] (in Spanish). Levante UD. 30 January 2014. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  20. "申花铁腰亲证离队 祝福卡希尔登巴巴未来好运|图". sports.sina.com.cn (in Chinese). Sina Sports. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  21. "Indian Super League: Mohamed Sissoko joins FC Pune City as marquee". Goal.com. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  22. "La Ternana ingaggia Mohamed Sissoko". sports.sina.com.cn (in Italian). Ternana Calcio. 17 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  23. "Sissoko has contract cancelled after just 25 days at Ternana".
  24. "Eks pemain Liverpool-Juventus, Sissoko gabung Mitra Kukar FC". tempo.co. 14 April 2017. Archived from the original on 15 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  25. "Mohamed Sissoko, nuevo refuerzo del Atlético de San Luis". marca.com. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  26. "Former Liverpool, Juventus and PSG star Mohamed Sissoko signs for Hong Kong Premier League champions Kitchee". South China Morning Post. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  27. "施素高離傑志 返法國照顧老父". on.cc. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018. (in Chinese)
  28. "Momo Sissoko s'engage avec le FCSM". FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  29. Barrie, Mohamed Fajah (14 January 2020). "Mali's ex-Liverpool and Juventus star Momo Sissoko retires". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  30. "Mohamed Sissoko annonce la fin de sa carrière, avec beaucoup d'émotion". RMC Sport (in French). 13 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  31. "Nations Cup 2013: Sissoko wins recall to Mali squad". BBC. 4 January 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  32. Lewis Rutledge. "Sissoko the new Vieira". Sky Sports. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  33. Tim Rich (31 October 2006). "Sissoko makes us tick, says Benitez". The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  34. Amanda Cornforth (25 August 2007). "Liverpool beat Black Cats". Sky Sports. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  35. "Sissoko: Quiero llegar a ser como Viera". Ciberche. Archived from the original on 21 January 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2007.
  36. "Football (Nat.2 - J9) - L'Étoile annonce la signature du portier international malien, Oumar Sissoko | Actualités". Site officiel de la ville de Fréjus.
  37. "Italy: Muslim football players make headlines". Adnkronos English. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  38. "Sissoko stats". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  39. Mohamed Sissoko at Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  40. Two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup and one appearance in the Community Shield.
  41. Mohamed Sissoko at National-Football-Teams.com
  42. "Valencia 2–0 Marseille". BBC Sport. 19 May 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  43. "Porto 1–2 Valencia". UEFA. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012.
  44. "Sao Paulo 1–0 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 18 December 2005. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  45. "Liverpool 3–3 West Ham (aet)". BBC Sport. 13 May 2006. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  46. "Chelsea 1–2 Liverpool: Match report". BBC Sport. 31 August 2006. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  47. "Liverpool 3–1 CSKA Moscow (aet)". BBC Sport. 26 August 2005. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  48. "Paris Saint Germain midfielder Momo Sissoko makes Mali Afcon squad". Goal.com. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  49. McCarra, Kevin (14 August 2006). "Crouch claims first blood for Liverpool". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
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