Youri Djorkaeff
The Snake who conquered Europe and the world with France.
Youri Raffi Djorkaeff (born 9 March 1968) is a French former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or forward. Throughout his club career, he played for teams in France, Italy, Germany, England, and the United States. At international level, Djorkaeff scored 28 goals in 82 appearances with the France national team between 1993 and 2002. He won the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2000, and the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, also taking part at Euro 1996 and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Quick Facts
- Nickname
- Le Magicien (The Magician)
- Position
- Attacking midfielder; Winger
- France era
- 1993 – 2002
- Key tournaments
- 1996 European Championship (semi-finalists); 1998 FIFA World Cup (winners)
- Signature skill
- Close-control dribbling and free-kick delivery
Lore & Background
Djorkaeff is the son of former player Jean Djorkaeff. He started his career in 1984 with French club Grenoble, later playing for RC Strasbourg, AS Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Kaiserslautern, Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, and the MetroStars/New York Red Bulls. He led Division 1 in goals in 1993–94 with 20, won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with PSG in 1996, and the UEFA Cup with Inter in 1998. He also helped Bolton reach the 2004 League Cup final. After retiring in 2006, he established the Youri Djorkaeff Foundation in 2014 and became CEO of the FIFA Foundation in September 2019.
Reader's Guide
Djorkaeff was known as 'The Snake' for his dribbling and ability to bend the ball. He played as an attacking midfielder, second striker, or forward, and was noted for his vision, passing, free kicks, and defensive work. He scored 28 goals in 82 caps for France, including setting up Zinedine Zidane's second goal in the 1998 World Cup final. He also played at Euro 1996 and the 2002 World Cup.
Did You Know?
- Djorkaeff scored a memorable bicycle kick goal for Inter Milan against Roma in January 1997.
- He was the first French player to play in Major League Soccer, joining the MetroStars in 2005.
- Ecuadorian forward Djorkaeff Reasco and Curaçaoan Tahith Chong were named after him.
- He released a singing single called 'Vivre dans Ta Lumière'.
More in Legendary Players & Icons
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