Youri Djorkaeff
Updated: 7 days ago
Youri Raffi Djorkaeff was born in Lyon, on March 9 1968. His father was French with Polish and Kalmyk origins while his mother was Armenian.
His first professional club was Grenoble. He stayed five seasons from 1984 to 1989. The club were in the D2 (second tier of French football) for four seasons and one in CN (3rd tier). He played 87 games and scored 24 goals.
In August 1989 he signed for Strasbourg also in D2. He stayed just over a season with les bleau et blanc, playing 41 games with 27 goals. In his full season Racing finished 2nd in Group under three different managers; Gérard Banide (1-7), Albert Gemmrich (8) and Léonard Specht (9-38).
In November 1990 he moved to the top flight and joined Monaco. He stayed five seasons, making 196 appearances with 67 goals (in 1992-93 joint top league scorer with 20 goals). "Les Rouges et Blancs" finished 2nd twice, 3rd, 9th and 6th. In 1991 they won their 5th French Cup (Olympique Marseille 1-0) while in 1994 they reached the semifinals of the Champions League (eventual winners Milan 0-3). His managers were Arsene Wenger for four seasons and then Jean-Luc Ettori and Gérard Banide. Djorkaeff's performances attracted the attention of some big European clubs but he stayed in France.
In 1995 he signed for Paris Saint-Germain. The Parisians finished 2nd under manager Luis Miguel Fernández. PSG won silverware however as they lifted the Cup Winners Cup (Rapid Vienna 1-0). Djorkaeff played 47 games and scored 20 goals.
In 1995 he moved to the Italian Serie A, still considered the top European league at the time. He joined Inter and stayed three seasons. He played 127 games and scored 39 goals. One of his goals, against Roma in 1997, is considered one of the best in the history of football. He produced a stunning bicycle kick from an impossible angle. The Nerazzurri finished 3rd, 2nd and 8th but in 1998 won the UEFA Cup (Lazio 3-0). His managers were Roy Hodgson, briefly in two stints Luciano Castellini, Gigi Simoni and Mircea Lucescu. He played alongside Lazio connections Aron Winter (1992-96), Diego Simeone (1999-2003), Francesco Colonnese (2000-04) and Ousmane Dabo (2003-06, 2008-10).
In 1998 he left Italy and joined Kaiserslautern in Germany. He stayed two and a half seasons and Die Roten Teufel (Red Devils) finished 5th, 8th and 7th (but he had already left). He played 70 games with 18 goals. In 2001 they reached the UEFA Cup semifinals but lost 2-9 to Alavés. His managers were Otto Rehhagel and Andreas Brehme. The squads included Lazio connections Igli Tare (2005-08 and then sporting director 2008-2023) and Miroslav Klose (2011-16).
In January 2002 he moved to the Premier League and joined Bolton Wanderers. He stayed that season and two more. He played 81 games and scored 21 goals. The Trotters finished 16th, 17th and 8th. In 2004 they reached the final of the League Cup but lost 1-2 to Middlesbrough. His manager was Sam Allardyce.
In 2004 he stayed in north-west England and signed for Blackburn Rovers. He only played 3 league games under Graeme Souness (1-4), Tony Parkes (5) and then Mark Hughes and he left Lancashire in January. Blackburn eventually finished 15th and reached the FA Cup semifinals (Arsenal 0-3).
In January 2005 he went for an experience in the USA. He signed for the New York Metro Stars who then became the New York Red Bulls. He stayed two seasons as captain and the Metros finished 4th and 5th in the Eastern Conference and both years were eliminated in the playoff quarterfinals. He played 49 games with 13 goals. His managers were Mo Johnson, Richie Williams briefly and Bruce Arena.
Djorkaeff then retired at 38.
At international level he earned 82 caps for France and scored 28 goals (11th all time). He won a World Cup in 1998, a European Championship in 2000 and a Confederations Cup in 2001.
Since retiring he has settled in New York where he runs the Youri Djorkaeff Foundation and also manages an Inter Campus.
Djorkaeff was an attacking midfielder. He was called a number 9.5 as he was something between a midfielder and forward. He excelled as both, he was skillful, classy with an extraordinary sense of position and movement. He had refined dribbling skills and was also good at free kicks. He was nicknamed "The Snake". His goal against Roma is legendary in Italy.
He never won a league title but won cups including the biggest accolade of all, the World Cup.
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