Marcel Desailly was born on September 7, 1968 in Accra, Ghana and is considered one of the most accomplished players of the game and one of the best players of the past two decades
Marcel Desailly was born on September 7, 1968 in Accra, Ghana and is considered one of the most accomplished players of the game and one of the best players of the past two decades, having won virtually every major team award. He began his career in FC Nantes, turning professional in 1986. In 1992, he moved to Olympique de Marseille, and won the European Cup the following year. In 1994, while a member of A.C. Milan, he again won the Cup, being the first player to win the Cup in consecutive seasons with different clubs. (Desailly's team had defeated Milan in the 1993 European Cup final, also making him the first player to transfer to the Finals’ opposing side.)
During his time in Milan he won two Italian league titles, in 1994 and 1996. Although he preferred to be a defender, he also played midfield for some time. Desailly then moved to Chelsea, for a reported £4.6 m prior to the 1998 World Cup where he played centre-back until the end of the 2003-04 season. He was voted as centre back in Chelsea greatest ever XI, next to John Terry. He was an important part of the French team which won the 1998 FIFA World Cup, an achievement for which he was awarded the Légion d'Honneur. Two years later success continued, as France won Euro 2000. After Euro 2004, Marcel Desailly retired from international football as the all-time leader in appearances for France (116). Desailly's record has since been surpassed by fellow defender Lilian Thuram.
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