Youri Djorkaeff

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography 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. He is the son of former player Jean Djorkaeff. On hanging up his boots in 2006 and after having played in France, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom and the US, Youri devoted himself to social projects, which eventually led him to establish the Youri Djorkaeff Foundation in 2014. He currently holds the position of CEO of the FIFA Foundation, following his appointment in September 2019.

Early lifeEdit

Djorkaeff was born in Lyon,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> to a French father of Polish and Kalmyk origin, Jean Djorkaeff, and an Armenian mother, Mary Ohanian,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in Lyon.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Club careerEdit

Djorkaeff started his career in 1984 with French club Grenoble, before moving to RC Strasbourg in 1989, AS Monaco in 1990, and then Paris Saint-Germain in 1995. In 1994, Djorkaeff led Division 1 in goals with 20. He won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with PSG in 1996. In 190 French top-flight matches Djorkaeff scored 73 goals.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1996, he signed with Italian club Inter Milan. In his first season, he scored 17 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions, scoring 14 goals in 33 Serie A appearances; with his excellent performances,<ref name=sogni/><ref name="Monsieur DJ">Template:Cite news</ref> he helped the club to a third–place finish in Serie A, and also reached the UEFA Cup Final. Inter were defeated in the final by Schalke on penalties following a 1–1 draw on aggregate; Djorkaeff was suspended for the first leg although he was able to net his spot kick in the second leg shootout.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Football: Ince and Hodgson suffer as Schalke lift Uefa Cup">Template:Cite news Template:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During the course of the season, he also scored a memorable goal from a bicycle kick in a 3–1 home win against Roma in the league, on 5 January 1997, which is considered to be one of the greatest goals scored in the club's history.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His following season was less successful individually, as he struggled to play well alongside the club's new signing Ronaldo,<ref name=coppia/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> although collectively Inter finished the season in second place in Serie A and won the UEFA Cup, defeating Lazio 3–0 in the final at the Parc des Princes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In his third and final season with the team, following the signing of Roberto Baggio, he also struggled to find space in the team, and suffered a further loss of form; moreover, the club eventually finished the season in eighth place, outside of all possible European qualifying spots.<ref name=affonda/><ref name="coraggio">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="piacere">Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1999, he transferred to Germany and Kaiserslautern, helping them to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in 2001.

Djorkaeff turned many heads when signing with English club Bolton Wanderers in 2002, but added a lot of class to the team during his three seasons there, resulting in the creation of an international "dream-team" alongside the tricky Nigerian Jay-Jay Okocha, and former Real Madrid midfielder Iván Campo. He was a member of the squad that reached the final of the 2003–04 League Cup.<ref name="2004 Carling Cup Final"/> He then transferred to Blackburn Rovers but left the club after playing in only three games.

Djorkaeff then signed with the MetroStars of Major League Soccer in February 2005, turning down higher paid offers from other countries. He became the first French player to play in MLS and ended the season as the team's MVP with ten goals and seven assists in league play.

File:Youri Djorkaeff takes a corner (cropped).jpg

Djorkaeff playing for New York Red Bulls in 2006

Djorkaeff announced from the beginning that he would hang-up his boots at the end of 2006 season, and played for the re-branded New York Red Bulls.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 1 July 2006, he was spotted in the crowd with French fans at the FIFA World Cup quarter-final match between France and Brazil after telling Red Bulls officials he left the club to attend to "an unexpected, serious family matter in France." Upon his return, he revealed that the purpose of his departure was to be with his sick mother and downplayed watching the World Cup match.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

He retired from professional football on 29 October 2006.

International careerEdit

Djorkaeff accumulated 82 caps and scored 28 goals for France at senior level between 1993 and 2002. Other than the two major tournaments he won with the national side – the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 – Djorkaeff also played for his country in UEFA Euro 1996 and the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In the 1998 FIFA World Cup Final in Paris, he set-up Zinedine Zidane's second goal from a corner in an eventual 3–0 victory over defending champions Brazil.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Style of playEdit

Nicknamed The Snake, due to his ability to get past defenders and bend the ball,<ref name=fifa>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="shadows">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="uomo e calciatore"/> Djorkaeff was a talented playmaker, who usually played as an attacking midfielder, although he was also capable of playing in deeper positions in midfield on occasion – namely as a central midfielder – or in more attacking roles, as a creative second striker, or even as an outright striker, while he often featured in a wide role on the left flank at international level.<ref name=sogni/><ref name=coppia/><ref name="coraggio"/><ref name=fifa/><ref name="uomo e calciatore">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="BR">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>Template:Excessive citations inline An elegant and technically gifted player, he was mainly known for his flair, dribbling skills, and excellent touch on the ball; he was also known for his vision, passing, composure, and class, and possessed a good shot, which enabled him both to score and create goals.<ref name=fifa/><ref name=perfezione>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=musica>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was known for his positional sense and intelligent movement off the ball, as well as his ability to lose his markers with his attacking runs and create space for himself, or provide depth to the team;<ref name="uomo e calciatore"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> he was also highly regarded for his accuracy from free kicks and penalties with his right foot.<ref name="uomo e calciatore"/><ref name=perfezione/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A hard-working player, who was known for his defensive contribution off the ball,<ref name=sogni/><ref name=perfezione/> he had the ability to link the defence with the attack or drift out wide in a free role in midfield;<ref name=fifa/><ref name="uomo e calciatore"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> as such, his playing style and role has been described as that of a "nine and a half," half-way between that of a midfielder and that of a forward,<ref name=musica/> which from a tactical standpoint, however, occasionally made it difficult for managers to find the right position for him on the pitch that best suited his capabilities.<ref name=sogni>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=coppia>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=affonda>Template:Cite news</ref> Moreover, despite his talent and success, he was also accused of being inconsistent at times in the media.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Personal lifeEdit

Djorkaeff and his wife, Sophie, and three children: Sacha, Oan and Angelica. Djorkaeff released a singing single called "Vivre dans Ta Lumière" ("Living in Your Light").<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His father, Jean, and younger brother, Micha Djorkaeff, were also professional football players.<ref name=fifa/>

On 15 November 2012, Djorkaeff hosted Phone-a-thon for Armenian charity held in Europe. The Phoneathon benefits the construction of community centres in villages throughout Nagorno Karabakh and comprehensive agricultural development in Armenia's Tavush Region. In addition, a part of the proceeds will be dedicated to providing urgent aid to the Syrian-Armenian community.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

During his time in England, Djorkaeff opened a football school in Armenia.<ref name="shadows"/> In April 2007, once he had retired as a player, he became the president of his childhood club in Lyon - Union Generale Armenienne de Decines.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Djorkaeff currently also runs the Youri Djorkaeff Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing football programs in New York City.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Ecuadorian international forward Djorkaeff Reasco was named after him, as was Dutchman Tahith Chong.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Career statisticsEdit

ClubEdit

Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionTemplate:Citation needed<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		Continental		Total
CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Club	Season	Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Grenoble	1984–85	Division 2	3	0	0	0	–		–		3	0
	1985–86	Division 2	6	0	0	0	–		–		6	0
	1986–87	Division 2	26	4	0	0	–		–		26	4
	1987–88	Division 2	19	8	1	0	–		–		20	8
	1988–89	Division 2	25	11	3	1	–		–		28	12
	1989–90	Division 2	3	0	0	0	–		–		3	0
	Total		82	23	4	1	0	0	0	0	86	24
Strasbourg	1989–90	Division 2	28	21	2	0	–		–		30	21
	1990–91	Division 2	7	4	0	0	–		–		7	4
	Total		35	25	2	0	0	0	0	0	37	25
Monaco	1990–91	Division 1	20	5	6	1	–		–		26	6
	1991–92	Division 1	35	9	5	0	–		7	1	47	10
	1992–93	Division 1	32	11	2	2	–		4	1	38	14
	1993–94	Division 1	35	20	2	0	–		11	3	48	23
	1994–95	Division 1	33	14	1	0	3	0	–		37	14
	Total		155	59	16	3	3	0	22	5	196	67
Paris Saint-Germain	1995–96	Division 1	35	13	2	2	1	0	8	4	46	19
Inter Milan	1996–97	Serie A	33	14	6	1	–		10	2	49	17
	1997–98	Serie A	29	8	4	0	–		9	0	42	8
	1998–99	Serie A	25	8	6	4	–		5	2	36	14
	Total		87	30	16	5	0	0	24	4	127	39
1. FC Kaiserslautern	1999–2000	Bundesliga	25	11	1	0	0	0	5	2	31	13
	2000–01	Bundesliga	26	3	2	0	0	0	7	2	35	5
	2001–02	Bundesliga	4	0	0	0	–		–		4	0
	Total		55	14	3	0	0	0	12	4	70	18
Bolton Wanderers	2001–02	Premier League	12	4	2	0	1	0	0	0	15	4
	2002–03	Premier League	36	7	1	0	1	0	0	0	38	7
	2003–04	Premier League	27	9	2	0	5	1	0	0	34	10
	Total		75	20	5	0	7	1	-	-	87	21
Blackburn Rovers	2004–05	Premier League	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
MetroStars / New York Red Bulls	2005	Major League Soccer	24	10	2	1	–		–		26	11
	2006	Major League Soccer	21	2	1	0	–		–		22	2
	Total		45	12	3	1	0	0	0	0	48	13
Career total			572	196	47	12	9	1	66	17	694	226

InternationalEdit

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team	Year	Apps	Goals
France<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1993	1	0
	1994	5	3
	1995	7	5
	1996	12	5
	1997	6	3
	1998	18	3
	1999	9	3
	2000	11	4
	2001	7	2
	2002	6	0
Total		82	28

Scores and results list France's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Djorkaeff goal.

List of international goals scored by Youri Djorkaeff
No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	16 February 1994	San Paolo Stadium, Naples, Italy	Template:Fb	1–0	1–0	Friendly
2	22 March 1994	Stade de Gerland, Lyon, France	Template:Fb	2–1	3–1	Friendly
3	29 May 1994	National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	Template:Fb	1–0	4–1	1994 Kirin Cup
4	16 August 1995	Parc des Princes, Paris, France	Template:Fb	1–1	1–1	UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
5	6 September 1995	Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps, Auxerre, France	Template:Fb	2–0	10–0	UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
6	6 September 1995	Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps, Auxerre, France	Template:Fb	9–0	10–0	UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
7	11 October 1995	Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania	Template:Fb	2–0	3–1	UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
8	15 November 1995	Stade Michel d'Ornano, Caen, France	Template:Fb	2–0	2–0	UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
9	24 January 1996	Parc des Princes, Paris, France	Template:Fb	1–1	3–2	Friendly
10	24 January 1996	Parc des Princes, Paris, France	Template:Fb	2–2	3–2	Friendly
11	15 June 1996	Elland Road, Leeds, England	Template:Fb	1–0	1–1	UEFA Euro 1996
12	31 August 1996	Parc des Princes, Paris, France	Template:Fb	2–0	2–0	Friendly
13	9 October 1996	Parc des Princes, Paris, France	Template:Fb	3–0	4–0	Friendly
14	2 April 1997	Parc des Princes, Paris, France	Template:Fb	1–0	1–0	Friendly
15	11 June 1997	Parc des Princes, Paris, France	Template:Fb	2–1	2–2	1997 Tournoi de France
16	12 November 1997	Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, France	Template:Fb	2–1	2–1	Friendly
17	29 May 1998	Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco	Template:Fb	2–2	2–2	1998 King Hassan II International Cup Tournament
18	24 June 1998	Stade de Gerland, Lyon, France	Template:Fb	1–0	2–1	1998 FIFA World Cup
19	14 November 1998	Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France	Template:Fb	2–0	2–0	UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying
20	20 January 1999	Stade Velodrome, Marseille, France	Template:Fb	1–0	1–0	Friendly
21	8 September 1999	Hrazdan Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia	Template:Fb	1–1	3–2	UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying
22	9 October 1999	Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France	Template:Fb	2–1	3–2	UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying
23	4 June 2000	Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco	Template:Fb	2–2	2–2	2000 King Hassan II International Cup Tournament
24	6 June 2000	Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco	Template:Fb	2–0	5–1	2000 King Hassan II International Cup Tournament
25	16 June 2000	Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges, Belgium	Template:Fb	2–1	2–1	UEFA Euro 2000
26	25 June 2000	Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges, Belgium	Template:Fb	2–1	2–1	UEFA Euro 2000
27	25 April 2001	Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France	Template:Fb	4–0	4–0	Friendly
28	30 May 2001	Daegu World Cup Stadium, Daegu, South Korea	Template:Fb	4–0	5–0	2001 FIFA Confederations Cup