Claude Makélélé

Claude Makélélé (born February 18, 1973 in Kinshasa, Zaïre) is a French international football (soccer) player, who currently plays defensive midfield for Chelsea in the English Premiership.

Related Topics:
February 18 - 1973 - Kinshasa - Zaïre - French - Football (soccer) - Defensive midfield - Chelsea - English Premiership

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Prior to joining Chelsea, Makélélé played for Nantes (1992-97), Olympique Marseille (1997-98), Celta Vigo (1998-2000), and Real Madrid (2000-03). Chelsea purchased him for £16.6M from the Spanish giants.

Related Topics:
Nantes - Olympique Marseille - Celta Vigo - Real Madrid

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Although born in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, Makélélé has elected to represent France on the international level. As of the end of 2004, he has compiled 33 caps, and played for his adoptive country at the 1996 Olympic Games, the {{Wc|2002}} and {{Ec2|2004}}. Makélélé decided to retire from international football in September of 2004, in order to focus on achieving further club glory with Chelsea. But eleven months later, he decided to return to the French fold in an announcement made by compatriots Zinédine Zidane and Lilian Thuram.

Related Topics:
Democratic Republic of Congo - France - 1996 Olympic Games - Zinédine Zidane - Lilian Thuram

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Makélélé's role for Chelsea is often overlooked, but he was the unsung hero in Chelsea FC's successful 2004/05 season, winning both the Premiership and the League Cup. His defensive qualities allow the likes of Frank Lampard and Joe Cole to parade their more attacking skills. However, Makélélé's importance has been recognised by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who recently said he was Chelsea's player of the year. To cap off a brilliant 2004/05 for the Frenchman, he was allowed to take a penalty awarded to Chelsea in their Championship collecting game against Charlton Athletic, which he missed, but subsequently converted the rebound to score his first goal in 94 games for the Blues. In September 2005 he was selected as a member of the World XI at the FIFPro awards. The team was chosen by a vote of professional footballers in 40 countries.

Related Topics:
Frank Lampard - Joe Cole - Jose Mourinho - Charlton Athletic - FIFPro

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In the spring of 2004, he started a relationship with French model Noémie Lenoir and in February 2005, Lenoir gave birth to a boy they named Kelyan.

Related Topics:
Model - Noémie Lenoir

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