 Sissoko withToulouse in 2012 | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Moussa Sissoko[1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | (1989-08-16)16 August 1989 (age 35)[2] | ||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Le Blanc-Mesnil, France | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2] | ||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||
Current team | Watford | ||||||||||||||||
| Number | 17 | ||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||
| 1995–1999 | Espérance Aulnay | ||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2001 | Red Star | ||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2003 | Espérance Aulnay | ||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2007 | Toulouse | ||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||
| 2007–2013 | Toulouse | 192 | (20) | ||||||||||||||
| 2013–2016 | Newcastle United | 118 | (11) | ||||||||||||||
| 2016–2021 | Tottenham Hotspur | 141 | (3) | ||||||||||||||
| 2021–2022 | Watford | 36 | (2) | ||||||||||||||
| 2022–2024 | Nantes | 56 | (2) | ||||||||||||||
| 2024– | Watford | 34 | (3) | ||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | |||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | France U16 | 2 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2005–2006 | France U17 | 9 | (2) | ||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | France U18 | 8 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | France U19 | 7 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2008–2011 | France U21 | 20 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2009–2021 | France | 71 | (2) | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 March 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 June 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
Moussa Sissoko (born 16 August 1989) is a French professionalfootballer who plays as amidfielder for andcaptainsEFL Championship clubWatford. He is abox-to-box midfielder in thecentre of the pitch, and is capable of playing in either aholding midfield role, or even as anattacking midfielder,right winger or right-back.
Sissoko began his football career playing for local youth clubs in theÎle-de-Franceregion, such as Espérance Aulnay andRed Star. In 2002, he moved south to join professional clubToulouse. Sissoko spent four years in the club's youth academy and made his professional debut in the2007–08 season, as well as making hisUEFA Champions League debut. In the following season, Sissoko earned award nominations for his performances and also helped Toulouse qualify for the newly createdUEFA Europa League. He eventually joinedNewcastle United in thePremier League in 2013, before moving on toTottenham Hotspur in 2016 following Newcastle's relegation from the top flight. At Tottenham, Sissoko finished runner-up in the2016–17 Premier League and started the2019 UEFA Champions League final. After departing Tottenham in 2021, he spent a season at Watford before joiningNantes in 2022.
Sissoko was aFrench youth international and played at all levels he was eligible for. In August 2009, he was called up to thesenior team for the first time and made his senior international debut in a2010 FIFA World Cup qualification against theFaroe Islands.[3] He made his first international start four days later in a qualifier againstAustria. Sissoko was a member of the France side that finished runners-up atUEFA Euro 2016.
Sissoko was born inLe Blanc-Mesnil, a Parisian suburb, to Malian parents. His father is aconstruction worker and his mother is ahousewife.[4] Sissoko is the eldest of four children, with three younger sisters. He was attracted to football at a very young age, stating, "I quickly realised that football could lead me to have a better life".[4] At the age of six, Sissoko joined the youth academy of Espérance Aulnay, based in nearbyAulnay-sous-Bois, a suburb in northeastern Paris. He trained three times a week at the club under the supervision of trainer Adama Dieye, who now serves as a correspondent for the club'sfutsal team. Sissoko describes Dieye as an important mentor in his development stating "I am here today because of him".[4] In July 1999, Sissoko moved toSaint-Ouen to joinRed Star. Sissoko spent two years at the club and was teammates with former France youth internationalYannis Salibur. In September 2001, he returned to Aulnay for a further two years developing before seeking a move to a professional club.
In July 2003, Sissoko made the trek down south to theHaute-Garonnedepartment to sign with professional clubToulouse. He signed anaspirant (youth) contract and was placed in the club's under-14 team. Sissoko spent three years developing in the club's youth academy alongside future teammatesCheikh M'Bengue andÉtienne Capoue before earning a call up to the club's reserve team in theChampionnat de France amateur, the fourth level ofFrench football, ahead of the2006–07 season. Sissoko appeared in 18 matches during the amateur season, quickly becoming one of the club's most sought after prospects.[5] Prior to signing his professional contract with Toulouse, he garnered interest from English clubsLiverpool andBolton Wanderers.[6]
Midway through the 2006–07 season, Sissoko signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal with Toulouse until June 2010.[7] He was subsequently promoted to the club's senior team in the ensuing summer and assigned the number 22 shirt by managerElie Baup. Sissoko made his professional debut on 4 August 2007, appearing as a substitute in a 3–1 defeat toValenciennes.[8] He made his first professional start the following week in the club's 1–0 upset victory over the defending championsLyon.[9] On 15 August, he appeared in the club'sUEFA Champions League third qualifying round first leg match against Liverpool. Sissoko replacedAlbin Ebondo in the 83rd minute and received a yellow card in the final minute. Toulouse lost the first leg 1–0 and the tie 5–0 on aggregate.[10][11] Sissoko scored his first professional goal on 1 September 2007 in a 2–0 victory overAuxerre, scoring ininjury time after coming on as a substitute two minutes previously.[12] In late September, he began featuring in the team as a regular starter playing in thedefensive midfielder role alongside attackersAchille Emana andFodé Mansaré, andcaptainNicolas Dieuze. On 6 January 2008, Sissoko scored his second goal of the season againstParis in theCoupe de France. Toulouse surprisingly lost the match to the semi-professional club 2–1.[13] Despite the promising individual season from Sissoko, Toulouse finished one place above relegation and Baup was sacked and replaced byAlain Casanova. Following the season, on 25 July 2008, Sissoko signed a contract extension with the club until 2012.[14]
Following the departure of Emana to Spain, Casanova put Sissoko into the box-to-box midfielder role ahead of the2008–09 season to accommodate emerging defensive midfielderÉtienne Capoue into the starting lineup, as well asÉtienne Didot, who arrived fromRennes. The move allowed Sissoko to retain his defensive duties, but also showcase his attacking skills. He began the season featuring primarily as a substitute under Casanova, but by December, Sissoko had become a regular in the starting eleven. On 24 January 2009, he scored his first goal of the season against amateurAlsatian club Schirrhein in an 8–0 thrashing in the Coupe de France. It was a memorable goal with Sissoko running nearly the entire pitch with the ball at his feet, eluding several Schirrhein players, before finishing at the six-yard box.[15][16] Toulouse reached the semi-finals of the competition before losing 2–1 to the eventual winnersGuingamp.[17] In the league, Sissoko was a key contributor in helping a refurbished Toulouse side finish 4th in the league, leading to qualification for the newly createdUEFA Europa League. He scored his first goal of the league campaign on 7 February in a 2–0 victory overLe Mans.[18] Sissoko also scored goals in victories overDerby de la Garonne rivalsBordeaux andParis Saint-Germain.[19][20] In total, he made 40 appearances and scored five goals. For his efforts, he was nominated for theUNFP Young Player of the Year, along with teammate Capoue who also had an outstanding season.
Prior to the start of the2009–10 season, Sissoko drew strong interest fromPremier League outfitTottenham Hotspur. The English club reportedly offered as much as£12 million for the player and subsequently increased its offer to £15.5 million before presidentOlivier Sadran declared that Sissoko would not be sold.[21][22] Despite Sadran's comments, fellow Premier League clubManchester City, as well as Italian clubsInternazionale andJuventus, and German clubBayern Munich were also linked with Sissoko.[citation needed] To quash the rumours, Sadran announced that Sissoko would not leave the club for anything less than €30 million.
Sissoko started the 2009–10 campaign by displaying his attacking prowess as he scored six league goals in the club's first 12 matches. He opened the campaign scoring in the club's second league match of the season againstSaint-Étienne in a 3–1 victory.[23] On 20 September 2009, he scored in the club's 2–0 win against Le Mans and in the following week scored the opening goal in the club's 2–1 loss to Lyon.[24][25] On 1 October 2009, Sissoko scored his first careerEuropean goal in aUEFA Europa League group stage match againstBelgian clubClub Brugge. The match ended in a 2–2 draw.[26] On 24 October, Sissoko recorded his fourth league goal of the season in a 2–0 away victory overLens.[27] In the ensuing two weeks, Sissoko scored both openers in a 1–1 draw withMarseille and a 3–2 victory at home againstRennes.[28][29] Sissoko's goalscoring slowed in the latter part of the season, scoring only one goal after the winter break against Valenciennes in a 3–1 win.[30] He was a regular in the team for the rest of the season, but Toulouse failed to keep pace with the league leaders and finished a disappointing 14th.
Despite interest from several clubs, Sissoko opted to remain at Toulouse stating he was happy to remain at the club and would let his agent deal with his transfer situation.[31] He scored his first goal of the new season on 22 September 2010 in a 2–1 defeat to Boulogne-sur-Mer in theCoupe de la Ligue.[32] On 6 February 2011, Sissoko scored both team goals in a 2–0 win overMonaco.[33]
.JPG)
On 21 January 2013, English sideNewcastle United confirmed they had signed Sissoko on a six-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £1.5 million.[34] It was rumoured that Sissoko waived any signing on fee from his new club in order to push the move through after Toulouse were unwilling to let him leave until the summer, when his contract expired. He was given the number 7 shirt.[35]
He made his debut for Newcastle on 29 January, getting the assist for the opening goal in a 2–1 win againstAston Villa.[36] In his second match, his first atSt James' Park, Sissoko scored both the equalising and winning goals in a 3–2 comeback victory againstChelsea.[37] On 24 February, Sissoko scored in a 4–2 win againstSouthampton.[38]
.JPG)
Sissoko's first goal of the 2013–14 season came on 30 November, againstWest Bromwich Albion, a 25-yard strike which made the score 2–1.[39] In the closing minutes of a game against Southampton in December, he was involved in an incident in which he accidentally hit refereeMike Jones in the face when trying to pull away from the opposing goalkeeper.[40] He scored twice in a 4–1 win away atHull City in March 2014, in what theChronicle reporter, Neil Cameron, described as an "utterly superb" performance.[41]
In the 2014–15 season, Sissoko was given the captain's armband afterFabricio Coloccini sustained an injury. In his first match starting as captain, Sissoko scored his first league goal of the season in a 1–0 win overQueens Park Rangers.[42] On 29 November 2014, Sissoko was shown two yellows in the space of 45 seconds, in a 1–0 away defeat toWest Ham United.[43] On 1 January 2015, Sissoko scored his second league goal of the season, as Newcastle drew 3–3 againstBurnley.[44] On 13 April 2015, Sissoko was sent off in an away match atLiverpool, receiving a second yellow card from refereeLee Mason, after a dangerous tackle toLucas Leiva.[45] On 24 May 2015, the final day of the season, he scored the opening goal in a 2–0 home victory over West Ham United, which helped Newcastle clinch their Premier League safety.[46]
During the 2015–16 season, Sissoko was made captain for the final six games of the season, and in his first game as captain on 16 April 2016, he scored his one and only goal of the campaign in a 3–0 home victory againstSwansea City.[47] This sparked a six-game unbeaten run in Newcastle's relegation battle, which included creditable draws against Liverpool andManchester City, and a final day 5–1 win overTottenham Hotspur.[48] Despite this, Newcastle were unable to escape the drop zone and were relegated to theChampionship.
On 31 August 2016, Sissoko signed forTottenham Hotspur on a five-year deal, for £30 million.[49][50] Tottenham, who beat outEverton for his signature on the final day of the transfer deadline, gave Sissoko his debut away atStoke City on 10 September 2016.[51] On 22 October, in a match againstAFC Bournemouth, Sissoko elbowedHarry Arter, resulting in a three-match ban.[52] He did not play a league match again for Spurs until 3 December, and made just four more starts in the Premier League that season under managerMauricio Pochettino.
Following a disappointing first season at Tottenham,[53] Sissoko was afforded an extended run in the first team to open the2017–18 season after multiple injuries in the midfield. He received his fourth start in six Premier League games in a 3–2 win atWest Ham on 23 September, with Pochettino describing his performance as "fantastic",[54][55] and scored his first goal for Tottenham on 30 September 2017 in their 4–0 victory overHuddersfield Town.[56]
In the2018–19 season, Sissoko emerged as a crucial member of Tottenham's squad, making 43 appearances in all competitions. He won the inaugural Tottenham Hotspur Legends' Player of the Season award in May 2019.[57]In thefinal of the2018–19 UEFA Champions League against Liverpool, Sissoko's inexplicably raised arm blocked a cross from Liverpool's Sadio Mane. Judged a handball,[58] it resulted in a penalty converted byMohamed Salah and Tottenham eventually lost the match 2–0.[59]
In the2019–20 season, under new managerJosé Mourinho, Sissoko scored his first goal in over two years in a game against Bournemouth. It was only his second Premier League goal for Tottenham and helped the team to a 3–2 win.[60] In the 2020 New Year's Day match againstSouthampton, Sissoko damaged themedial collateral ligament of his right knee, which required surgery resulting in him being out of action for more than three months.[61] However, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic which resulted in the suspension of league matches, he did not play any game until the 19 June match againstManchester United after the season restarted.[62]
On 5 January 2021, Sissoko scored his first goal of the2020–21 season in the semi-final of theCarabao Cup, which ended in a 2–0 home win overBrentford.[63]
On 27 August 2021, Sissoko joinedWatford on a two-year contract.[64] He made his debut two days later in a 1–0 away defeat against his former club Tottenham Hotspur.[65] It was to be an ill-fated move with Moussa Sissoko's Watford side suffering relegation that season.[66]
On 1 July 2022, Sissoko returned to France and signed withNantes.[67]
On 10 July 2024, Sissoko returned to England, rejoiningChampionship side Watford on a two-year deal.[68]
Sissoko has been active withFrance atyouth level having represented France at all levels for which he was eligible.[69] On 4 January 2005, he made his youth international debut atunder-16 level in afriendly match againstTurkey inManisa. France won the match 3–0.[70] Sissoko's only other appearance with the team came in the return leg against Turkey that was played inİzmir two days later.[71]
With theunder-17 team, Sissoko's playing time increased as France attempted to qualify for the2006 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship. He made his debut as a substitute on 2 November 2005 in the team's opening competitive match againstEngland.[72] On 26 February 2006, Sissoko scored his first youth international goal in the team's second group stage match of theAlgarve Cup against theNetherlands.[73] In the team's next group stage match againstPortugal, Sissoko scored again in a 3–1 victory.[74] InUEFA competition, Sissoko and the team, composed of players such asDavid Ngog,Gabriel Obertan,Adel Taarabt, andGrégory Sertic, failed to qualify for the2006 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, due to their second-place finish in theElite Round portion of the competition. With the under-18 team, Sissoko appeared in all eight matches the team contested as France nearly went undefeated losing their only match 1–0 toGermany inKehl.[75]
Due to his increased playing time domestically with Toulouse, Sissoko missed the 2007 edition of the Sendai Cup in Japan and numerous other under-19 tournaments and only featured in2008 UEFA U-19 Championship qualification matches. He made his debut on 28 October 2007 in a 5–0 rout ofLuxembourg in the first qualifying round.[76] Similar to the competition at under-17 level, France were later eliminated in theElite Round portion of the competition. Sissoko earned his first call up to theunder-21 team for their friendly match againstBosnia and Herzegovina on 9 September 2008. He subsequently made his debut in the match, which France won 1–0.[77] Sissoko scored his only goal with the team on 31 March 2009 in the team's 2–0 win overEngland at theCity Ground inNottingham.[78] He featured with the team frequently as they were attempting to qualify for the2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. The team's ultimate failure to qualify for the competition effectively ended Sissoko's under-21 career, though he still appeared in friendly matches againstTurkey,Denmark, andRussia in 2010 as he was still eligible to participate in non-competitive matches.
On 3 August 2009, Sissoko earned his first call up to thesenior team for a2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match against theFaroe Islands.[79] Sissoko did not make his debut in the match. On 6 October, he was named to the senior squad for the second time for the team's final World Cup qualification matches against the Faroe Islands andAustria. Sissoko earned his firstcap in the match against the Faroe Islands appearing as a substitute forJérémy Toulalan in the second half. France won the match 5–0.[80] With France's spot in the play-offs already secured, Sissoko made his first career start in the match against Austria, which France won 3–1.[81][82] Despite appearing regularly in the squad underRaymond Domenech in the 2009–10 season, Sissoko failed to make the squad for the2010 FIFA World Cup.
On 13 May 2014, Sissoko was named inDidier Deschamps' squad for the2014 FIFA World Cup.[83] He made hisFIFA World Cup debut in2014, coming on as a substitute in France's3–0 group win overHonduras.[84] In France's second match of the tournament, a5–2 victory overSwitzerland, he was named in the starting line-up and scored his first international goal.[85]
Sissoko was involved in France's run to the final of the2016 UEFA European Championship, making four starts in the tournament. He put in an inspired performance in the final againstPortugal, having two shots saved in the 1–0 extra time defeat.[86]
On 17 May 2018, he was named on the standby list for the 23-man French squad for the2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[87] Due to his poor club form, he was not part of the French squad that won the World Cup. However, with a good club performance in the 2018–19 season, he was again back in the national squad, and played a role in theEuro 2020 qualifiers for France.[88]
A versatile midfielder, Sissoko is capable of playing in any midfield role, as well as in several other positions across the pitch.[89] He usually plays as a box-to-box midfielder in the centre, although he is also capable of playing in a holding midfield role, or even as an attacking midfielder or right winger, due to his pace and offensive capabilities.[90][91][92][93] He has also played on the left flank, as asecond striker, or as an attackingfull-back orwing-back on occasion.[94] A large, fast, physically powerful, hard-working, and energetic player,[95][96][97][98][99] with an ability to run long distances and cover a lot of ground,[97] Sissoko has been described as a "well-rounded central midfielder" who is "tall, rangy, and strong in the tackle".[6][100] Although his consistency, passing, and technical ability have been questioned at times in the media,[93][96][99][101][102] he possesses a solid first touch, and has demonstrated significant improvements in terms of his technique and link-up play as his career has progressed; furthermore, he is known for his direct style of play, as well as his ability to transition from defence to attack, charge forward with the ball, and run at defences on counter-attacks, courtesy of his ball-winning ability and positional sense, as well as his speed, dynamism, athleticism, and strength.[93][94][99][102][103] He is also known for his striking ability from distance and on the run with his right foot, as well as his eye for goal from midfield.[89][94][99] Regarded as a promising prospect in his youth,[99] in 2010 he was included inDon Balón's list of the 100 best young players in the world born after 1989.[104]
Sissoko is Muslim.[105] Alongside his native French, he speaks English.[106]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Toulouse | 2007–08 | Ligue 1 | 30 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | — | 34 | 2 | |
| 2008–09 | Ligue 1 | 35 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 40 | 5 | |||
| 2009–10 | Ligue 1 | 37 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7[d] | 1 | — | 47 | 8 | ||
| 2010–11 | Ligue 1 | 36 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 38 | 6 | |||
| 2011–12 | Ligue 1 | 35 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 37 | 2 | |||
| 2012–13 | Ligue 1 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 22 | 1 | |||
| Total | 192 | 20 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 1 | — | 218 | 24 | |||
| Newcastle United | 2012–13 | Premier League | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6[d] | 0 | — | 18 | 3 | |
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 35 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 3 | |||
| 2014–15 | Premier League | 34 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 38 | 5 | |||
| 2015–16 | Premier League | 37 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 39 | 1 | |||
| Total | 118 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | — | 133 | 12 | |||
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2016–17 | Premier League | 25 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5[e] | 0 | — | 34 | 0 | |
| 2017–18 | Premier League | 33 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6[c] | 0 | — | 47 | 2 | ||
| 2018–19 | Premier League | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 10[c] | 0 | — | 44 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6[c] | 0 | — | 35 | 2 | ||
| 2020–21 | Premier League | 25 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 10[d] | 0 | — | 42 | 1 | ||
| Total | 141 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 37 | 0 | — | 202 | 5 | |||
| Watford | 2021–22 | Premier League | 36 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 2 | ||
| Nantes | 2022–23 | Ligue 1 | 30 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — | 8[d] | 0 | 1[f] | 0 | 44 | 2 | |
| 2023–24 | Ligue 1 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 28 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 56 | 2 | 7 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 72 | 2 | |||
| Watford | 2024–25 | Championship | 34 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 3 | ||
| Career total | 577 | 41 | 32 | 2 | 27 | 4 | 60 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 697 | 48 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 2009 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 14 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 16 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 71 | 2 | |
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1[85] | 20 June 2014 | Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil |  Switzerland | 5–0 | 5–2 | 2014 FIFA World Cup |
| 2 | 2 June 2017 | Roazhon Park, Rennes, France |  Paraguay | 4–0 | 5–0 | Friendly |
Tottenham Hotspur
Nantes
France
Individual
France squads | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||
