Jérémy Mathieu
Encyclopedia
Jérémy Mathieu is a French football player who currently plays for La Liga
side Valencia CF
in Spain. He primarily operates in the left back position, but can also play as a winger on the same side. He can also, in some situations, play as a defensive midfielder.
. He made his Ligue 1 debut, during the 2002–03 season, in a league match against CS Sedan coming on as a late-match substitute. Despite being 18, he was inserted into the starting 11, and quickly provided an impact scoring his first professional goal in just his third league match in a 2–2 draw against Rennes. He made 23 league appearances that season scoring 4 goals, which included, excluding his first, an equalising goal against Paris Saint-Germain
, and two game-winning goals against Nantes and Le Havre
. His play, along with the team itself, was a main factor in the club finishing 5th and qualifying for the UEFA Cup
.
Over the next two seasons, Jérémy continued his great form appearing in 63 league matches and scoring 6 league goals. He also performed well in Europe appearing in 14 matches and scoring 2 goals. He also helped Sochaux win the Coupe de la Ligue
in 2004
. His performances at Sochaux led to strong interest from Italian club Juventus
, English clubs Newcastle United
, Everton
, and Southampton
.
and Troyes
. The following season, he made 32 league appearances and score another two goals helping Toulouse qualify for the UEFA Champions League
. However, both Mathieu and Toulouse had horrible 2007–08 seasons
with Mathieu fracturing a bone in his foot, which forced him to miss half the season, and Toulouse finishing just one spot short of relegation. This led to Mathieu pondering his future with the Midi-Pyrénées
-based side.
and other Italian outfits, Toulouse refused to budge with efforts to get Mathieu to remain at the club. Mathieu responded by turning down a contract extension, which effectively allowed him to leave on a Bosman transfer
this upcoming summer. Eventually it was agreed by Toulouse and Mathieu that the player will see out the season at Toulouse, after Toulouse turned down a €4.5 million move to Bordeaux
.
Despite the ongoing transfer situation, Jérémy remained civil in regards to playing. He made 31 league appearances during the 2008–09
season, contributing to Toulouse's successful league campaign, as well as the team's success in the Coupe de France
, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals by the eventual champions Guingamp.
after securing the left back on a three-year deal. The transfer came into effect on 1 July 2009. He made his debut for the club in a 2–0 win over Sevilla FC
.
beginning with the U-15s. Though, he was a regular with the under-21 squad
leading up to the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
, he was not selected to participate in the event. He received his first call up to the senior squad
for their friendly against Slovakia
. However, he played with the second team, France A'
, who were playing Slovakia B.
He made his national team debut against the USA
where he played 90 minutes.
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
side Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
in Spain. He primarily operates in the left back position, but can also play as a winger on the same side. He can also, in some situations, play as a defensive midfielder.
Sochaux
Jérémy started his career with the biggest club in the Franche-Comté region, FC Sochaux-MontbéliardFC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
. He made his Ligue 1 debut, during the 2002–03 season, in a league match against CS Sedan coming on as a late-match substitute. Despite being 18, he was inserted into the starting 11, and quickly provided an impact scoring his first professional goal in just his third league match in a 2–2 draw against Rennes. He made 23 league appearances that season scoring 4 goals, which included, excluding his first, an equalising goal against Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain FC
Paris Saint-Germain Football Club , also known simply as Paris Saint-Germain and familiarly as Paris SG or PSG , is a professional association football club based in Paris, France. The club was founded on 12 August 1970, thanks to the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain...
, and two game-winning goals against Nantes and Le Havre
Le Havre AC
Le Havre Athletic Club Football Association is a French association football club based in Le Havre. The club was founded originally as an athletics and rugby club in 1872, thus making it the oldest association football and rugby club registered in France...
. His play, along with the team itself, was a main factor in the club finishing 5th and qualifying for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
.
Over the next two seasons, Jérémy continued his great form appearing in 63 league matches and scoring 6 league goals. He also performed well in Europe appearing in 14 matches and scoring 2 goals. He also helped Sochaux win the Coupe de la Ligue
Coupe de la Ligue
The Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
in 2004
Coupe de la Ligue Final 2004
The Coupe de la Ligue Final 2004 was a football match held at Stade de France, Saint-Denis on April 17, 2004, that saw Sochaux defeat Nantes in a penalty shootout.-Match details:-External links:*...
. His performances at Sochaux led to strong interest from Italian club Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
, English clubs Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, and Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
.
Move to Toulouse
After announcing his desire to move to another club and only having one year left on his current deal, Sochaux agreed to listen to offers for the player. Eventually, he agreed to join Toulouse after agreeing to a four-year deal. He made his league debut for Toulouse against his former club Sochaux playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 victory. He continued this positive play appearing in 36 league matches and scoring two goals against AC AjaccioAC Ajaccio
Athletic Club Ajaccio is a French association football club based in the city of Ajaccio on the island of Corsica. The club was founded in 1910 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, having finished 2nd in the 2010–11 campaign in Ligue 2. The club president is Alain...
and Troyes
Troyes AC
Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne is a French association football club, based in Troyes. It was founded in 1900. The club was promoted to Ligue 1 for the 2005–06 season and their first Ligue 1 season was in 1954/55, and their second spell came in 1999/2000 Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube...
. The following season, he made 32 league appearances and score another two goals helping Toulouse qualify for the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. However, both Mathieu and Toulouse had horrible 2007–08 seasons
Ligue 1 2007-08
The 2007–08 Ligue 1 season is the seventieth since its establishment, and started in August 2007 and ended on 17 May 2008. The fixtures were announced in June 2007. Lyon became French champions, having won a record seventh consecutive title ....
with Mathieu fracturing a bone in his foot, which forced him to miss half the season, and Toulouse finishing just one spot short of relegation. This led to Mathieu pondering his future with the Midi-Pyrénées
Midi-Pyrénées
Midi-Pyrénées is the largest region of metropolitan France by area, larger than the Netherlands or Denmark.Midi-Pyrénées has no historical or geographical unity...
-based side.
Transfer controversy and success
Despite heavy interest from Italian side RomaA.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
and other Italian outfits, Toulouse refused to budge with efforts to get Mathieu to remain at the club. Mathieu responded by turning down a contract extension, which effectively allowed him to leave on a Bosman transfer
Bosman ruling
Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de Football Association ASBL v Jean-Marc Bosman is a 1995 European Court of Justice decision concerning freedom of movement for workers, freedom of association, and direct effect of article 39 of the EC Treaty...
this upcoming summer. Eventually it was agreed by Toulouse and Mathieu that the player will see out the season at Toulouse, after Toulouse turned down a €4.5 million move to Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
.
Despite the ongoing transfer situation, Jérémy remained civil in regards to playing. He made 31 league appearances during the 2008–09
Ligue 1 2008-09
The 2008–09 Ligue 1 season was the 71st since its establishment. Bordeaux became champions for the sixth time on the last weekend of the season. The fixtures were announced on 23 May 2008. The season began on 9 August 2008 and ended on 30 May 2009...
season, contributing to Toulouse's successful league campaign, as well as the team's success in the Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals by the eventual champions Guingamp.
Valencia
On 10 June 2009, it was announced that Jérémy would be Unai Emery's first signing of the summer for Spanish giants ValenciaValencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
after securing the left back on a three-year deal. The transfer came into effect on 1 July 2009. He made his debut for the club in a 2–0 win over Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
.
International career
Jérémy has received caps with all of France's youth teamsFrance national youth football team
The France national youth football team are the national under-20, under-19, under-18, under-17 and under-16 football teams of France and are controlled by the Fédération Française de Football. The youth teams of France participate in tournaments sanctioned by both FIFA and UEFA and also...
beginning with the U-15s. Though, he was a regular with the under-21 squad
France national under-21 football team
The France national under-21 football team , known in France as Les Espoirs , is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
leading up to the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Klaas Jan Huntelaar3 goals Thomas Kahlenberg Nicky Hofs2 goals Bryan Bergougnoux Ruslan Fomin Artem Milevskiy...
, he was not selected to participate in the event. He received his first call up to the senior squad
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
for their friendly against Slovakia
Slovakia national football team
The Slovakia national football team represents Slovakia in association football and is controlled by the Slovak Football Association , the governing body for football in Slovakia. Slovakia's home stadium is Štadión Pasienky and their head coach is Vladimír Weiss...
. However, he played with the second team, France A'
France B national football team
The France B national football team is the senior national team of France that plays non-A matches against other nations in friendlies. In France, the team is usually called "France A dash".-Popularity and use:...
, who were playing Slovakia B.
He made his national team debut against the USA
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
where he played 90 minutes.
Club statistics
As of 11 January 2010| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| FC Sochaux | 2002–03 | 23 | 4 | ? | ? | 0 | 0 | ? | ? |
| 2003–04 | 29 | 3 | ? | ? | 6 | 1 | ? | ? | |
| 2004–05 | 34 | 2 | ? | ? | 8 | 1 | ? | ? | |
| Total | 86 | 9 | ? | ? | 14 | 2 | ? | ? | |
| Toulouse FC Toulouse FC Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by... |
2005–06 | 35 | 2 | ? | ? | 0 | 0 | ? | ? |
| 2006–07 | 32 | 2 | ? | ? | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | |
| 2007–08 | 14 | 1 | ? | ? | 2 | 0 | ? | ? | |
| 2008–09 | 31 | 0 | ? | ? | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | |
| Total | 112 | 5 | ? | ? | 2 | 0 | ? | ? | |
| Valencia CF Valencia CF Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the... |
2009–10 2009–10 La Liga - Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|... |
23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 29 | 1 |
| Total | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 0 | |
| Career totals | ? | 15 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |