Moussa Sissoko facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Moussa Sissoko

Sissoko with Toulouse in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Moussa Sissoko
Date of birth	(1989-08-16) 16 August 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth	Le Blanc-Mesnil, France
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
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	40	(6)
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 Men's football Representing  France UEFA European Championship Runner-up 2016
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 May 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 June 2021

Moussa Sissoko (born 16 August 1989) is a French professional footballer. He plays as a midfielder and is currently the captain for the English club Watford. Sissoko is known as a box-to-box midfielder. This means he plays in the centre of the pitch and helps both in defense and attack. He can also play in other roles, like a holding midfielder, attacking midfielder, right winger, or even right-back.

Sissoko started his football journey in youth clubs near Paris, France. In 2002, he joined the professional club Toulouse. He spent four years in their youth academy before making his professional debut in the 2007–08 season. He also played his first UEFA Champions League game that year. Later, he moved to Newcastle United in England in 2013. In 2016, he joined Tottenham Hotspur. While at Tottenham, he was part of the team that finished second in the 2016–17 Premier League and played in the 2019 UEFA Champions League final. After leaving Tottenham in 2021, he played for Watford and then Nantes in France, before returning to Watford in 2024.

Sissoko also played for the French youth national teams at all levels. In August 2009, he was called up to the senior team. He made his international debut in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match. Sissoko was a key player for France when they finished as runners-up at UEFA Euro 2016.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Moussa Sissoko was born in Le Blanc-Mesnil, a suburb of Paris, France. His parents are from Mali. He is the oldest of four children. From a very young age, Sissoko loved football. He believed it could help him have a better life.

When he was six, Sissoko joined a youth club called Espérance Aulnay. He trained there three times a week. He says his trainer, Adama Dieye, was a very important mentor for him. In 1999, Sissoko moved to another club, Red Star, for two years. After that, he returned to Espérance Aulnay to continue developing his skills. He was hoping to join a professional club soon.

Club Career Highlights

Starting at Toulouse FC

In July 2003, Sissoko moved to Toulouse to join their professional club. He started in the club's under-14 team. He spent three years in the youth academy. By the 2006–07 season, he was playing for the club's reserve team. He quickly became one of their most promising young players.

Sissoko signed his first professional contract with Toulouse in 2007. He made his professional debut on 4 August 2007. He came on as a substitute in a match against Valenciennes. The next week, he started his first professional game. It was a big 1–0 win against the champions, Lyon. On 15 August, he played in his first UEFA Champions League match. Sissoko scored his first professional goal on 1 September 2007 against Auxerre. He came on as a substitute and scored in injury time. He became a regular starter for Toulouse that season.

Becoming a Key Player at Toulouse

Sissoko playing for Toulouse in 2008

For the 2008–09 season, Sissoko started playing as a box-to-box midfielder. This role allowed him to help both in defense and attack. He became a regular starter by December. On 24 January 2009, he scored his first goal of the season in a big 8–0 win in the Coupe de France. He ran almost the entire length of the field with the ball before scoring. Toulouse reached the semi-finals of the cup that year.

In the league, Sissoko helped Toulouse finish 4th. This meant they qualified for the new UEFA Europa League. He scored his first league goal on 7 February in a 2–0 win against Le Mans. He also scored against rivals Bordeaux and Paris Saint-Germain. He played 40 games and scored five goals that season. He was even nominated for the UNFP Young Player of the Year award.

In the 2009–10 season, Sissoko showed his attacking skills by scoring six league goals in the first 12 matches. He scored his first European goal on 1 October 2009 in a UEFA Europa League match against Club Brugge. Despite interest from other big clubs, Sissoko chose to stay at Toulouse. He continued to be a regular player for the team.

Moving to Newcastle United

Sissoko playing for Newcastle United against Arsenal in 2015

On 21 January 2013, Sissoko joined the English club Newcastle United. He signed a six-and-a-half-year deal. He was given the number 7 shirt. He made his debut on 29 January, helping Newcastle win 2–1 against Aston Villa. In his second match, which was his first at St James' Park, Sissoko scored two goals. These goals helped Newcastle come back from behind to win 3–2 against Chelsea.

Sissoko faces Chelsea at St James' Park, 2015.

His first goal of the 2013–14 season was a powerful shot from 25 yards against West Bromwich Albion. In March 2014, he scored twice in a 4–1 win against Hull City. This was described as a "superb" performance.

In the 2014–15 season, Sissoko became captain for some games when the regular captain was injured. He scored his first goal as captain in a 1–0 win over Queens Park Rangers. On 24 May 2015, he scored a goal in a 2–0 win over West Ham United. This win helped Newcastle stay in the Premier League.

During the 2015–16 season, Sissoko was captain for the last six games. He scored his only goal of the season in a 3–0 win against Swansea City. Despite a strong finish to the season, Newcastle was unfortunately relegated to the Championship.

Playing for Tottenham Hotspur

Sissoko playing for Tottenham Hotspur in an FA Cup match, 2017.

On 31 August 2016, Sissoko joined Tottenham Hotspur. He made his debut on 10 September 2016. In October, he received a three-match ban for an incident during a game. After a difficult first season, Sissoko played more often in the 2017–18 season. He scored his first goal for Tottenham on 30 September 2017 in a 4–0 win over Huddersfield Town.

In the 2018–19 season, Sissoko became a very important player for Tottenham. He played 43 games in all competitions. He even won the first-ever Tottenham Hotspur Legends' Player of the Season award in May 2019. He played in the Champions League final against Liverpool. Tottenham lost the match 2–0.

In the 2019–20 season, Sissoko scored his first goal in over two years against Bournemouth. This was only his second Premier League goal for Tottenham. In January 2020, he had knee surgery. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, league matches were paused. He was able to return to play when the season restarted in June. On 5 January 2021, Sissoko scored his first goal of the 2020–21 season in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.

Time at Watford and Nantes

On 27 August 2021, Sissoko joined Watford on a two-year contract. He made his debut two days later against his former club, Tottenham Hotspur. Unfortunately, Watford was relegated from the Premier League that season.

On 1 July 2022, Sissoko returned to France and signed with Nantes. He played for Nantes for two seasons.

Return to Watford

On 10 July 2024, Sissoko returned to England. He rejoined Championship side Watford on a two-year deal.

International Career for France

Youth Team Appearances

Sissoko played for the French youth national teams at every level he could. He made his youth international debut for the under-16 team on 4 January 2005. He also played for the under-17 team. He scored his first youth international goal on 26 February 2006 against the Netherlands.

He played in all eight matches for the under-18 team. Sissoko also played for the under-19 team and the under-21 team. He scored his only goal for the under-21 team on 31 March 2009 against England.

Playing for the Senior National Team

Sissoko (wearing white; No.18) playing for France against Switzerland at UEFA EURO 2016; France finished as runners-up.

On 3 August 2009, Sissoko was called up to the senior team for the first time. He made his senior international debut on 10 October 2009 against the Faroe Islands. France won the match 5–0. Four days later, he made his first international start against Austria.

Sissoko was part of the French squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He made his World Cup debut as a substitute in France's 3–0 win over Honduras. In France's second match, a 5–2 victory over Switzerland, he started and scored his first international goal.

Sissoko was a key player in France's journey to the final of the 2016 UEFA European Championship. He started four matches in the tournament. He played very well in the final against Portugal, but France lost 1–0 in extra time.

He was named on the standby list for the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad. After a strong club season in 2018–19, he returned to the national squad. He played a role in the Euro 2020 qualifiers for France.

Playing Style

Moussa Sissoko is a very flexible midfielder. He can play in many different midfield roles. He usually plays as a box-to-box midfielder in the center. This means he helps both in defense and attack. He can also play as a defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, or even on the right side of the field.

Sissoko is known for being a big, fast, and strong player. He works very hard and can run long distances during a game. He is good at winning the ball and moving it quickly from defense to attack. He is also known for his powerful shots from far away. In 2010, he was named one of the 100 best young players in the world.

Personal Life

Moussa Sissoko is a Muslim. He speaks both his native French and English.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances and Goals

International Appearances and Goals

Sissoko playing for France in 2013

Scores and results list France's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sissoko goal.

List of international goals scored by Moussa Sissoko

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	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

Honours and Awards

Tottenham Hotspur

• EFL Cup runner-up: 2020–21
• UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2018–19

Nantes

• Coupe de France runner-up: 2022–23

France

• UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2016

Individual

• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2018–19
• Tottenham Hotspur Legends' Player of the Season: 2019

See also

In Spanish: Moussa Sissoko para niños