Youssouf Fofana (born 10 January 1999) is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club AC Milan.
Fofana began his career with various youth academies in Paris, before joining the youth academy of Strasbourg on 21 February 2017. He made his professional debut with Strasbourg in a 2âÂÂ0 Ligue 1 loss to Lyon on 24 August 2018.
Fofana played his final game for Strasbourg on 25 January 2020, a 3âÂÂ1 away win over Monaco. Four days later, he was signed by Monaco for â¬15 million, and made his debut on 1 February, playing 71 minutes of a 3âÂÂ1 away defeat to Nîmes. On 25 November 2021, Fofana scored his first goal for Monaco, the winning goal in a 2âÂÂ1 UEFA Europa League victory at home over Real Sociedad. He scored his first league goal with the club in a 4âÂÂ2 home defeat to Troyes on 31 August 2022.
On 17 August 2024, Fofana completed his move to Serie A club AC Milan, signing a four-year contract until 30 June 2028. He chose the kit number 29.
On 14 September 2024, Milan won 4âÂÂ0 against Venezia in the Serie A. The second goal, a header following the corner kick, had initially been attributed to Matteo Gabbia prior to Fofana being credited with goal after a review.
Fofana was a youth international for France from under-19 to under-21 level.
On 15 September 2022, Fofana received his first call-up to the France national team for two UEFA Nations League matches against Austria and Denmark. In November, he was called up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar by Didier Deschamps. At the tournament, he played in six of France's seven matches, starting the ones against Tunisia in the group stage (1âÂÂ0 loss) and Morocco in the semi-finals (2âÂÂ0 win). In the final against Argentina on 18 December, Fofana came on as a 96th-minute substitute in extra time for Adrien Rabiot. The game ended with a score of 3âÂÂ3, and Argentina came out victorious on penalties.
On 18 November 2023, Fofana scored his first goal with France, the seventh goal of a 14âÂÂ0 win over Gibraltar in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying. In the following match against Greece, he scored in a goal from twenty-five metres out in a 2âÂÂ2 draw.
Fofana usually plays as a box-to-box midfielder, tasked primarily with defensive duties. His main qualities are his physical strength, stamina, and the ability to press opponents to win back possession of the ball.
Youssouf Fofana was born on 10 January 1999 in Paris. He is of Malian and Ivorian descent.
Strasbourg
Monaco
AC Milan
France