Sidney Govou

Lore & Background

Govou joined Lyon's youth academy at age 17 in 1996 and played his entire professional career at Stade Gerland until 2010. He broke onto the scene during the 2000–01 Ligue 1 season, helping Lyon finish second. Because of his great performances, he won the 2001 Young Player of the Year Award in Ligue 1. During the 2004–05 season, Paul Le Guen handed Govou the captain's armband during the long absence of club captain Claudio Caçapa due to injury. On 24 May 2008, Govou scored the only goal in added extra time and was named Man of the Match as Lyon defeated PSG in the Coupe de France final. In November 2009, he scored a memorable goal from beyond midfield in a 5–5 draw with Marseille. He signed for Panathinaikos on 2 July 2010, scoring against Barcelona at Camp Nou on 14 September 2010, and was released by mutual consent on 2 July 2011. He then played for Évian, returning to Lyon on an amateur contract in October 2013, later playing for Monts d'Or Azergues, FC Miami City, and FC Limonest, where he served as a sporting advisor from 2018. Internationally, he was called up to replace Ludovic Giuly for Euro 2004 and Djibril Cissé for the 2006 World Cup, scored twice against Italy in a Euro 2008 qualifier, and played at the 2010 World Cup.

Reader's Guide

Govou is best known for his loyalty to Lyon, winning seven Ligue 1 titles and the 2007–08 Coupe de France. He was named Young Player of the Year in 2000–01. His career later included stints in Greece, France, the US, and lower French divisions.

Did You Know?

• Govou scored a goal 67 seconds into a Euro 2008 qualifier against Italy.
• He was indicted in 2010 for solicitation of a minor prostitute, but prosecutors asked for the case to be dropped in 2011.
• Govou married Clémence Catherin on 18 June 2011 and has three children.