- published: 28 Apr 2016
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Mamadou Sakho (born 13 February 1990) is a French international footballer who currently plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as a centre back for his club, but can also deputized as a left back if necessary. Sakho is known for his leadership credentials, his tireless engine, hard-working attitude, and his tackling ability. He has also been praised for his "physical and tactical qualities". Sakho is also known for his eccentric hairstyles he often displays while playing and has earned the nickname Kirikou by club supporters as a result.
Of Senegalese descent, Sakho started his career at Paris FC in 1996 before moving to professional club Paris Saint-Germain in 2002. After excelling in the youth system, Sakho earned a call up the senior team by manager Paul Le Guen. In October 2007, on his league debut, he became the youngest player ever to captain a Ligue 1 club after wearing the armband in the club's 0–0 draw with Valenciennes. Since making his debut with the club, Sakho has become an integral part of the team earning starting berths in the first 11 under managers Paul Le Guen and Antoine Kombouaré. Sakho's playing style and ability have led to the media and former players drawing comparisons to former French international Lilian Thuram.
Steven McManaman (born 11 February 1972) is a retired English footballer who played as a midfielder, winger and playmaker. Having spent his playing career at two of European football's most successful clubs of the 20th century,Liverpool and Real Madrid, as well as a spell at Manchester City, McManaman is the most decorated English footballer to have played at any foreign club in terms of trophies won overseas.
McManaman was the first British player to win the UEFA Champions League title twice, and was also the first English footballer to win the Champions League with a non-English club. In 2008, he was ranked third in a Top 10 of greatest British footballers to play overseas, just behind Kevin Keegan and John Charles.
He is also notable for a contractual saga in the late 1990s, that resulted in his football transfer becoming one of the most controversial and high profile Bosman ruling related transfers of all time, with the deal resulting in McManaman once becoming the highest paid British player in history, for the years 1999 through 2001.
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