FIFA World Cup™ Germany 2006 player's profile

His return to the fold may not have been as headline-grabbing as that of Zinedine Zidane or even Lilian Thuram, but Claude Makelele’s importance to les Bleus cannot be overestimated. A defensive midfielder with a voracious appetite for hard work, he has become accustomed to toiling away dutifully in the shade.
Young Claude cut his teeth at FC Nantes, a club renowned as a bastion of free-flowing football. After making his top-flight debut just shy of his 20th birthday, he soon became a fixture in the Canaries’ first team. In the 1994/95 season, he formed an impressive defensive-midfield pairing with Christian Karembeu that played a key role in the title success for Nantes that year. This dream season also earned him a first international cap, against Norway on 22 July 1995 in Oslo.

But Makelele’s talents have not always been fully appreciated and in 1998 – amidst total indifference – he departed for Celta Vigo in Spain. Two fantastic years later, he joined the legendary Real Madrid and his career really took off. Before long, he had earned a string of honours that included two Spanish titles (2001 and 2003), a UEFA Champions League (2002), a European Super Cup (2002) and an Intercontinental Cup (2002).

Amid the ranks of les Bleus, ‘Maké’ at last established himself as a regular after just three caps in five years. Since the retirement of Didier Deschamps, this pocket powerhouse (1.74m) has proven the ideal foil for Emmanuel Petit or Patrick Vieira in the middle of the park. With his uncanny anticipation, tireless energy, and tigerish pace, this native of Zaire finally began to receive universal acclaim.

French disaster
After enduring the early part of France’s Korea/Japan 2002™ debacle from the substitutes’ bench, he was a starter for their last group game against Denmark. Since then, he has been practically ever-present in the France side, missing only the friendly with Belgium in February 2004.

In 2003, Madrid gave Makelele permission to join the Blues of Chelsea, a decision that the fans packing the Santiago Bernabeu have had much cause to regret. Even at 33, he remains one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. By providing formidable protection for José Mourinho’s defence, he made a majestic contribution to the league and cup double won by the Portuguese coach in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

Makelele’s self-imposed exile after Euro 2004 underlined just how essential he was to France’s system. By persuading him to return, coach Raymond Domenech has pulled off a master stroke. In Makelele, he has a bona fide leader who, after missing out on the triumphs of 1998 and 2000, would dearly love to write his name in the annals of French sporting history.

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UEFA Champions League 2005-06 player's profile

One of world football's most effective ball-winners Claude Makelele is quietly crucial to his side, sitting in front of the defence and breaking up opposing attacks before launching his own team's forays forward.

Club
After starting his career with Stade Brestois 29, a move to FC Nantes Atlantique in 1992 marked the beginning of Makelele's rise to greatness. He won the French championship during a five-year spell at La Beaujoire before switching to Olympique de Marseille, for a season, and then RC Celta de Vigo. Makelele's dynamic style won over the Celta fans during a two-year stay before Real Madrid CF came calling with €14m. Makelele lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy in 20002 and the Spanish title the following season before switching to Chelsea in summer 2003 for around €23m. Makelele was a critical component as Chelsea cantered to the Premiership title, won the English League Cup and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2004/05 and played a starring role again as they retained the Premiership crown the following year.

National team
Makelele was born and raised in DR Congo, though he chose to represent France. He made his debut on 22 July 1995 in a 0-0 draw against Norway but found his involvement limited and he played just once, against Denmark, as the holders crashed out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He played three times at UEFA EURO 2004™ after which he retired from international football - only to reverse that decision in August 2005, returning to the fold as France reached the final of the 2006 World Cup.

Did you know?
Makelele's father was an international player for Zaire.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

UEFA EURO 2004™ player's profile

French ball-winner Claude Makelele is just as comfortable on the right of midfield as he is in the centre, where he can act as both enforcer and creator.

National team
Makelele was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, though he chose to represent France. Since making his debut on 22 July 1995 in a 0-0 draw against Norway, the brilliance of Les Bleus’ midfield has limited his involvement, and he played just once, against Denmark, as the holders crashed out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying
Played France's opening seven games as they dazzled in winning Group 1. However, his dismissal against Slovenia in the penultimate fixture prevented him from appearing against Israel as the campaign drew to a close.

Club
After starting his career with Stade Brestois 29, a move to FC Nantes Atlantique in 1992 marked the beginning of Makelele's rise to European greatness. He won the French championship during a five-year spell at La Beaujoire before switching to Olympique de Marseille, for a season, and then RC Celta de Vigo in a €2.4m deal.

1998: The nature of Spanish football suited Makelele's dynamic style and he won over the Celta fans during a two-year stay which yielded 70 appearances before Real Madrid CF came calling.

2000: Joining in the summer for €14m, Makelele enjoyed the best of times. A title winner in his first term at the Santiago Bernabéu, he was then a virtual ever-present during the team's UEFA Champions League campaign of 2001/02, including the final against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Another impressive season saw Makelele appear 29 times as Madrid won another Spanish crown in 2003. He also made eleven appearances in the Champions League before Juventus FC denied Madrid another shot at European glory.

2003/04: On 1 September he opted to join the Chelsea revolution, signing a four-year contract for a fee reportedly in the region of €23m. Struggled at times in the Premiership, playing his best football in the Champions League prior to a suspension which ruled him out of the semi-final second leg against AS Monaco FC.

Did you know?
Makelele's father was an international player for Zaire.

©uefa.com 1998-2004. All rights reserved.