Mamadou Niang

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Niang began his career with the Le Havre youth team and turned professional at 18 with Troyes. After a mixed start, he had a loan spell at Metz, then moved to Strasbourg, where he formed a fruitful strike partnership with Mickaël Pagis and helped the club win the 2004–05 Coupe de la Ligue. In 2005, he moved to Marseille for €7 million, later becoming Ligue 1 top scorer in 2009–10 with 18 goals. He then played for Fenerbahçe, Al Sadd, Beşiktaş (on loan), and Arles-Avignon.

In Their Own Story

The Stade Vélodrome was electric on 6 April 2008. Marseille, fighting for a Champions League spot, attacked from the start. Mamadou Niang scored twice before the half-hour mark, with Djibril Cissé also netting, putting Lyon on the back foot. Though an own goal gave Lyon a lifeline, Niang struck again early in the second half, bagging another goal to seal a 3–1 victory. This win gave Marseille their first league double over Lyon in over two decades.

Reader's Guide

Niang played as a striker. His key achievements include winning the 2004–05 Coupe de la Ligue with Strasbourg, the 2009–10 Ligue 1 and Coupe de la Ligue with Marseille, the 2010–11 Süper Lig with Fenerbahçe, and the 2011 AFC Champions League with Al Sadd. He was named UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month three times and was in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year twice.

Did You Know?

• Niang scored a controversial goal for Al Sadd in the 2011 AFC Champions League semi-final against Suwon Samsung Bluewings, which sparked a melee.
• He scored his first hat-trick for Fenerbahçe in a 6–2 win against Kasımpaşa.
• Niang is the older brother of professional footballer Papa Niang.