Modeste M'Bami
Encyclopedia
Modeste M'bami is a Cameroon
ian football player .
during the summer of 2000. Despite his young age, M'bami played ten matches in his first season in the French first division
and helped his club to finish fifth. He rapidly became a team regular and played 60 matches in the two following seasons. In 2003, the club was relegated to French second division
and M'Bami decided to sign a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain for 5 million euros after his agent Willie McKay halted advanced discussions with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
During his first season with Paris Saint-Germain, M'bami was associated with another young defensive midfielder, Lorik Cana
. Despite their lack of experience, they played a big part in the club's good season, where Paris Saint-Germain finished second in the French first division
and won the French Cup
. The club's 2004–05 season was less successful, in which M'bami was struggling with an injury. He then went on a partial loan to FC Barone, but was returned to Paris Saint-Germain shortly after. The 2005–06 season saw M'Bami help Paris Saint-Germain to another French Cup
title, while the club finished 9th in the league.
In August 2006, after three years at Paris Saint-Germain, M'Bami was transferred to arch-rivals Marseille
, signing a 3-year contract, and thus renewing his midfield partnership with Lorik Cana
, who had signed for Marseille the season before.
He left Marseille after his contract expired in summer 2009 and has since had trials at English Premier League clubs Portsmouth F.C.
, , and . After his contract ended with French club Marseille
he moved on 30 September 2009 for a trial with the Spanish club UD Almería
, later Almería completed the purchase of the midfielder, the Cameroon
player signed a contract with the Spanish club.
In July 2011, M'bami and Juanito
were released from Almería
. He joined China Super League team Changchun Yatai
.
with his country in 2000 in Sydney
. He was also in the team when Cameroon
reached the finals of the Confederations Cup in 2003 and was part of the 2004 African Nations Cup team, who finished top of their group in the first round of competition, before failing to secure qualification for the semi-finals. M'bami was also in the Cameroonian national football team that disappointingly failed to qualify for the 2006 German World Cup as they finished second in their qualification group behind the Côte d'Ivoire
.
With Paris Saint-Germain
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
ian football player .
Club career
M'Bami started his career in his home country by playing for Dynamo Douala but was quickly spotted by foreign clubs. He joined CS Sedan ArdennesCS Sedan Ardennes
Club Sportif Sedan Ardennes, commonly referred to as CS Sedan or simply Sedan , is a French association football club based in Sedan. The club was formed in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Sedan plays its home matches at the Stade Louis Dugauguez located...
during the summer of 2000. Despite his young age, M'bami played ten matches in his first season in the French first division
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
and helped his club to finish fifth. He rapidly became a team regular and played 60 matches in the two following seasons. In 2003, the club was relegated to French second division
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
and M'Bami decided to sign a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain for 5 million euros after his agent Willie McKay halted advanced discussions with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
During his first season with Paris Saint-Germain, M'bami was associated with another young defensive midfielder, Lorik Cana
Lorik Cana
Lorik Cana is an Albanian footballer, who plays for Lazio as a defensive midfielder and the Albania national football team. He is the captain for Albania at international level...
. Despite their lack of experience, they played a big part in the club's good season, where Paris Saint-Germain finished second in the French first division
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
and won the French Cup
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...
. The club's 2004–05 season was less successful, in which M'bami was struggling with an injury. He then went on a partial loan to FC Barone, but was returned to Paris Saint-Germain shortly after. The 2005–06 season saw M'Bami help Paris Saint-Germain to another French Cup
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...
title, while the club finished 9th in the league.
In August 2006, after three years at Paris Saint-Germain, M'Bami was transferred to arch-rivals Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
, signing a 3-year contract, and thus renewing his midfield partnership with Lorik Cana
Lorik Cana
Lorik Cana is an Albanian footballer, who plays for Lazio as a defensive midfielder and the Albania national football team. He is the captain for Albania at international level...
, who had signed for Marseille the season before.
He left Marseille after his contract expired in summer 2009 and has since had trials at English Premier League clubs Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
, , and . After his contract ended with French club Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
he moved on 30 September 2009 for a trial with the Spanish club UD Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
, later Almería completed the purchase of the midfielder, the Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
player signed a contract with the Spanish club.
In July 2011, M'bami and Juanito
Juan Jesús Gutierrez Robles
Juan Jesús Gutiérrez Robles, aka Juanito , is a Spanish footballer who plays for Asteras Tripoli F.C...
were released from Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
. He joined China Super League team Changchun Yatai
Changchun Yatai
Changchun Yatai is a Chinese football team. It was founded on June 6, 1996 by Jilin Yatai Group at Changchun, Jilin. Their manager is Shen Xiangfu....
.
Attributes
M'bami is a physically strong player with good technical skills. He is known as a defensive type player, but also a playmaking central type midfielder, who likes to come forward when possible.International career
M'bami showed his talent on the international scene at a very young age. He won the Olympic football gamesOlympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
with his country in 2000 in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. He was also in the team when Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
reached the finals of the Confederations Cup in 2003 and was part of the 2004 African Nations Cup team, who finished top of their group in the first round of competition, before failing to secure qualification for the semi-finals. M'bami was also in the Cameroonian national football team that disappointingly failed to qualify for the 2006 German World Cup as they finished second in their qualification group behind the Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
.
Honours
With Cameroon national football teamCameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
- Olympic GamesOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
: 2000 - Confederations Cup: 2003 Runner Up
With Paris Saint-Germain
- Coupe de FranceCoupe de FranceThe 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...
: 2004, 2006