Marcel Desailly

Date of birth07 September 1968
Place of birthAccra
NationalityFrench
Weight85 kg
Height1.85 m
PositionDefender

'The Rock' was born in Ghana then began his career at Nantes but after six seasons he moved to Olympique Marseilles where he won the European Champions League in 1993 before moving to AC Milan where he won another in 1994, plus the Serie A title in 1994 and 1996.

Marcel made his international debut in August 1993 against Sweden going on to win a total of 108 caps for France. Tough and strong in the air, he was at the heart of the 1998 World Cup winners.

He joined Chelsea after the 1998 World Cup Finals and became club captain at Stamford Bridge. This great defender maintained his reputation as one of the world's best while, seemingly at times, things fell apart around him. He added a European Championship winner's medal with France to his collection of honours in 2000 and soon afterwards he replaced his close friend and ex-Chelsea colleague Didier Deschamps as captain of his country when they won the Confederations Cup in 2001.

However his tried and trusted central defensive partnership with Frank Leboeuf at Chelsea ended as the latter left for Olympique Marseilles and Marcel was partnered by a number of players until manager Claudio Ranieri decided to give impressive youngster John Terry an extended run in the first team. Marcel had acted as a mentor in Terry's rise to prominence and the pairing became established throughout the second half of the 2001-02 campaign as the Blues improved to claim a UEFA Cup berth and an FA Cup Final appearance.

Club history

Team Joined Left Loan / Trialist
Nantes 01 Jul 1986 01 Jul 1992
Olympique Marseille 01 Jul 1992 01 Nov 1993
AC Milan 01 Nov 1993 14 Jul 1998
Chelsea 14 Jul 1998 06 Jul 2004
Al Gharafa 10 Oct 2004

Club stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1994-95 AC Milan UEFA Super Cup 2
1996-97 Rest of the World Representative 1
1998-99 Chelsea FA Cup 6
2
1998-99 Chelsea Premier League 30
1
5
1998-99 Chelsea UEFA European Cup Winners Cup 7
1
2
1998-99 Chelsea UEFA Super Cup 1
1999-00 Chelsea FA Cup 4
1999-00 Chelsea Premier League 23
1
2
1
1999-00 Chelsea UEFA Champions League 16
1
2000-01 Chelsea FA Charity Shield 1
2000-01 Chelsea FA Cup 2
2000-01 Chelsea League Cup 1
2000-01 Chelsea Premier League 34
2
10
2000-01 Chelsea UEFA Cup 1
1
2001-02 Chelsea FA Cup 8
1
2001-02 Chelsea League Cup 3
2001-02 Chelsea Premier League 24
1
5
2001-02 Chelsea UEFA Cup 2
2002-03 Chelsea FA Cup 1
2002-03 Chelsea Premier League 30
1
2
6
2002-03 Chelsea UEFA Cup 1
2003-04 Chelsea FA Cup 1
2003-04 Chelsea League Cup 1
2003-04 Chelsea Premier League 15
2003-04 Chelsea UEFA Champions League 7
1
1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

Club matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
01 Feb 1995 Arsenal v AC Milan D 0-0 UEFA Super Cup Final 1st leg
08 Feb 1995 AC Milan v Arsenal W 2-0
Agg: 2-0
UEFA Super Cup Final 2nd leg


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1988-89 France UEFA Under-21 3
1988-89 France Under-21 2
1989-90 France UEFA Under-21 2
1
1989-90 France Under-21 2
1990-91 France B International 1
1993-94 France B International 1
1993-94 France FIFA World Cup 4
1993-94 France International Friendly 2
1993-94 France Kirin Japan Cup 1
1994-95 France International Friendly 2
1994-95 France UEFA European Championship 5
1995-96 France International Friendly 5
1995-96 France UEFA European Championship 9
1
1996-97 France International Friendly 5
1996-97 France Tournoi de France 2
1997-98 France FIFA World Cup 7
1
1997-98 France International Friendly 6
1
1997-98 France King Hassan II Cup 1
1
1998-99 France International Friendly 2
1998-99 France Jean-Pierre Papin Testimonial 1
1998-99 France UEFA European Championship 5
1999-00 France Hassan II Tournament 2
1999-00 France International Friendly 5
1999-00 France UEFA European Championship 9
3
2000-01 France Childrens Charity 1
2000-01 France FIFA Confederations Cup 4
1
2000-01 France International Friendly 8
2001-02 France FIFA World Cup 3
2001-02 France International Friendly 9
1
2002-03 France FIFA Confederations Cup 4
2002-03 France International Friendly 3
1
2002-03 France UEFA European Championship 3
2003-04 France FIFA Centenary International 1
2003-04 France International Friendly 4
2003-04 France UEFA European Championship 3


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
24 Aug 1988 Czechoslovakia v France D 0-0 U21
27 Sep 1988 France v Norway W 2-0 UEFA U21 Group 5
23 Oct 1988 France v Morocco D 1-1 U21
18 Nov 1988 Yugoslavia v France D 2-2 UEFA U21 Group 5
07 Mar 1989 Scotland v France W 2-3 UEFA U21 Group 5
15 Aug 1989 Sweden v France D 3-3 U21
05 Sep 1989 Norway v France D 1-1 UEFA U21 Group 5
10 Oct 1989 France v Scotland W 3-1 UEFA U21 Group 5
16 Nov 1989 Algeria v France W 0-1 U21
10 Oct 1990 France v Tunisia W 4-0 B INTER
27 Jul 1993 France v Russia W 5-1 B INTER
22 Aug 1993 Sweden v France D 1-1 FIFA World Cup Group 6
08 Sep 1993 Finland v France W 0-2 FIFA World Cup Group 6
13 Oct 1993 France v Israel L 2-3 FIFA World Cup Group 6
17 Nov 1993 France v Bulgaria L 1-2 FIFA World Cup Group 6
16 Feb 1994 Italy v France W 0-1 International Friendly
22 Mar 1994 France v Chile W 3-1 International Friendly
29 May 1994 Japan v France W 1-4 KIRIN JAPAN CUP
17 Aug 1994 France v Czech Republic D 2-2 International Friendly
08 Oct 1994 France v Romania D 0-0 UEFA European Championship Group 1
16 Nov 1994 Poland v France D 0-0 UEFA European Championship Group 1
13 Dec 1994 Azerbaijan v France W 0-2 UEFA European Championship Group 1
18 Jan 1995 Netherlands v France W 0-1 International Friendly
29 Mar 1995 Israel v France D 0-0 UEFA European Championship Group 1
26 Apr 1995 France v Slovakia W 4-0 UEFA European Championship Group 1
16 Aug 1995 France v Poland D 1-1 UEFA European Championship Group 1
06 Sep 1995 France v Azerbaijan W 10-0 UEFA European Championship Group 1
11 Oct 1995 Romania v France W 1-3 UEFA European Championship Group 1
15 Nov 1995 France v Israel W 2-0 UEFA European Championship Group 1
24 Jan 1996 France v Portugal W 3-2 International Friendly
21 Feb 1996 France v Greece W 3-1 International Friendly
29 May 1996 France v Finland W 2-0 International Friendly
01 Jun 1996 Germany v France W 0-1 International Friendly
05 Jun 1996 France v Armenia W 2-0 International Friendly
10 Jun 1996 Romania v France W 0-1 UEFA European Championship Finals Group B
15 Jun 1996 France v Spain D 1-1 UEFA European Championship Finals Group B
18 Jun 1996 France v Bulgaria W 3-1 UEFA European Championship Finals Group B
22 Jun 1996 France v Netherlands W 0-0 (5-4) UEFA European Championship Finals quarter-final
26 Jun 1996 France v Czech Republic L 0-0 (5-6) UEFA European Championship Finals semi-final
31 Aug 1996 France v Mexico W 2-0 International Friendly
09 Nov 1996 Denmark v France L 1-0 International Friendly
22 Jan 1997 Portugal v France W 0-2 International Friendly
26 Feb 1997 France v Netherlands W 2-1 International Friendly
02 Apr 1997 France v Sweden W 1-0 International Friendly
03 Jun 1997 France v Brazil D 1-1 Tournoi de France
11 Jun 1997 France v Italy D 2-2 TOURNOI DE FRANCE
11 Oct 1997 France v South Africa W 2-1 International Friendly
12 Nov 1997 France v Scotland W 2-1 International Friendly
28 Jan 1998 France v Spain W 1-0 International Friendly
25 Feb 1998 France v Norway D 3-3 International Friendly
25 Mar 1998 Russia v France L 1-0 International Friendly
27 May 1998 Belgium v France W 0-1 King Hassan II Cup
05 Jun 1998 Finland v France W 0-1 International Friendly
12 Jun 1998 France v South Africa W 3-0 FIFA World Cup Finals Group C
18 Jun 1998 France v Saudi Arabia W 4-0 FIFA World Cup Finals Group C
24 Jun 1998 France v Denmark W 2-1 FIFA World Cup Finals Group C
28 Jun 1998 France v Paraguay W 1-0 FIFA World Cup Finals 2nd round
03 Jul 1998 Italy v France W 0-0 (4-3) FIFA World Cup Finals quarter-final
08 Jul 1998 France v Croatia W 2-1 FIFA World Cup Finals semi-final
12 Jul 1998 Brazil v France W 0-3 FIFA World Cup Final
10 Oct 1998 Russia v France W 2-3 UEFA European Championship Group 4
20 Jan 1999 France v Morocco W 1-0 International Friendly
10 Feb 1999 England v France W 0-2 International Friendly
27 Mar 1999 France v Ukraine D 0-0 UEFA European Championship Group 4
31 Mar 1999 France v Armenia W 2-0 UEFA European Championship Group 4
30 May 1999 France v World XI D 2-2 Jean-Pierre Papin Testimonial
05 Jun 1999 France v Russia L 2-3 UEFA European Championship Group 4
09 Jun 1999 Andorra v France W 0-1 UEFA European Championship Group 4
18 Aug 1999 Northern Ireland v France W 0-1 International Friendly
04 Sep 1999 Ukraine v France D 0-0 UEFA European Championship Group 4
08 Sep 1999 Armenia v France W 2-3 UEFA European Championship Group 4
09 Oct 1999 France v Iceland W 3-2 UEFA European Championship Group 4
13 Nov 1999 France v Croatia W 3-0 International Friendly
23 Feb 2000 France v Poland W 1-0 International Friendly
29 Mar 2000 Scotland v France W 0-2 International Friendly
28 May 2000 Croatia v France W 0-2 International Friendly
04 Jun 2000 France v Japan D 2-2 Hassan II Tournament
06 Jun 2000 Morocco v France W 1-5 HASSAN II Tournament
11 Jun 2000 France v Denmark W 3-0 UEFA European Championship Finals Group D
16 Jun 2000 Czech Republic v France W 1-2 UEFA European Championship Finals Group D
21 Jun 2000 Netherlands v France L 3-2 UEFA European Championship Finals Group D
25 Jun 2000 France v Spain W 2-1 UEFA European Championship Finals quarter-final
28 Jun 2000 France v Portugal W 2-1 UEFA European Championship Finals semi-final
02 Jul 2000 France v Italy W 2-1 UEFA European Championship Final
16 Aug 2000 France v World XI W 5-1 Childrens Charity
02 Sep 2000 France v England D 1-1 International Friendly
04 Oct 2000 France v Cameroon D 1-1 International Friendly
07 Oct 2000 South Africa v France D 0-0 International Friendly
15 Nov 2000 Turkey v France W 0-4 International Friendly
27 Feb 2001 France v Germany W 1-0 International Friendly
24 Mar 2001 France v Japan W 5-0 International Friendly
28 Mar 2001 Spain v France L 2-1 International Friendly
25 Apr 2001 France v Portugal W 4-0 International Friendly
30 May 2001 Korea Republic v France W 0-5 FIFA Confederations Cup Group A
03 Jun 2001 France v Mexico W 4-0 FIFA Confederations Cup Group A
07 Jun 2001 France v Brazil W 2-1 FIFA Confederations Cup Semi-final
10 Jun 2001 Japan v France W 0-1 FIFA Confederations Cup Final
15 Aug 2001 France v Denmark W 1-0 International Friendly
01 Sep 2001 Chile v France L 2-1 International Friendly
06 Oct 2001 France v Algeria W 4-1 International Friendly
11 Nov 2001 Australia v France D 1-1 International Friendly
13 Feb 2002 France v Romania W 2-1 International Friendly
27 Mar 2002 France v Scotland W 5-0 International Friendly
17 Apr 2002 France v Russia D 0-0 International Friendly
18 May 2002 France v Belgium L 1-2 International Friendly
26 May 2002 Korea Republic v France W 2-3 International Friendly
31 May 2002 France v Senegal L 0-1 FIFA World Cup Finals Group A
06 Jun 2002 France v Uruguay D 0-0 FIFA World Cup Finals Group A
11 Jun 2002 Denmark v France L 2-0 FIFA World Cup Finals Group A
21 Aug 2002 Tunisia v France D 1-1 International Friendly
07 Sep 2002 Cyprus v France W 1-2 UEFA European Championship Group 1
12 Oct 2002 France v Slovenia W 5-0 UEFA European Championship Group 1
16 Oct 2002 Malta v France W 0-4 UEFA European Championship Group 1
20 Nov 2002 France v Serbia and Montenegro W 3-0 International Friendly
12 Feb 2003 France v Czech Republic L 0-2 International Friendly
30 Apr 2003 France v Egypt W 5-0 International Friendly
18 Jun 2003 France v Colombia W 1-0 FIFA Confederations Cup Group A
22 Jun 2003 France v New Zealand W 5-0 FIFA Confederations Cup Group A
26 Jun 2003 France v Turkey W 3-2 FIFA Confederations Cup Semi-final
29 Jun 2003 France v Cameroon W 1-0 FIFA Confederations Cup Final
20 Aug 2003 Switzerland v France W 0-2 International Friendly
06 Sep 2003 France v Cyprus W 5-0 UEFA European Championship Group 1
10 Sep 2003 Slovenia v France W 0-2 UEFA European Championship Group 1
18 Feb 2004 Belgium v France W 0-2 International Friendly
31 Mar 2004 Netherlands v France D 0-0 International Friendly
20 May 2004 France v Brazil D 0-0 FIFA Centenary International
28 May 2004 France v Andorra W 4-0 International Friendly
17 Jun 2004 Croatia v France D 2-2 UEFA European Championship Finals Group B


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.