:Florent Sinama Pongolle

{{short description|French footballer (born 1984)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Florent Sinama Pongolle

| image = Florent Sinama Pongolle 2012.jpg

| caption = Sinama Pongolle playing for Rostov in 2012

| full_name = Florent Stéphane Sinama Pongolle{{cite web|url=http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa2?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=14209|title=Acta del partido celebrado el 11 de mayo de 2011, en San Sebastián|trans-title=Minutes of the match held on 11 May 2011, in San Sebastián|publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation|language=es|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190204155212/http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa2?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=14209|archive-date=4 February 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|10|20|df=y}}{{cite news|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur45000000000000000000019967.html|title=Florent Sinama-Pongolle|newspaper=L'Équipe|location=Paris|language=French|access-date=4 February 2019}}

| birth_place = Saint-Pierre, Réunion, France

| height = 1.76 m{{cite web |title=FIFA Club World Championship Japan 2005 – Official Rosters |url=http://www.fifa.com/documents/tournaments/cwc/CWC_2005_sl-latest.xls |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=4 December 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219093824/http://www.fifa.com/documents/tournaments/cwc/CWC_2005_sl-latest.xls |archive-date=19 December 2005 |url-status=dead }}

| position = Forward

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Saint-Pierroise

| youthyears2 = 1995–2001

| youthclubs2 = Le Havre

| years1 = 2001–2006

| clubs1 = Liverpool

| caps1 = 38

| goals1 = 4

| years2 = 2001–2003

| clubs2 = → Le Havre (loan)

| caps2 = 42

| goals2 = 7

| years3 = 2006

| clubs3 = → Blackburn Rovers (loan)

| caps3 = 10

| goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2006–2008

| clubs4 = Recreativo

| caps4 = 68

| goals4 = 22

| years5 = 2008–2010

| clubs5 = Atlético Madrid

| caps5 = 40

| goals5 = 5

| years6 = 2010–2012

| clubs6 = Sporting CP

| caps6 = 5

| goals6 = 1

| years7 = 2010–2011

| clubs7 = → Zaragoza (loan)

| caps7 = 24

| goals7 = 4

| years8 = 2011–2012

| clubs8 = → Saint-Étienne (loan)

| caps8 = 23

| goals8 = 4

| years9 = 2012–2014

| clubs9 = Rostov

| caps9 = 18

| goals9 = 2

| years10 = 2014

| clubs10 = Chicago Fire

| caps10 = 7

| goals10 = 1

| years11 = 2015

| clubs11 = Lausanne-Sport

| caps11 = 0

| goals11 = 0

| years12 = 2015–2016

| clubs12 = Dundee United

| caps12 = 4

| goals12 = 0

| years13 = 2016–2018

| clubs13 = Chainat Hornbill

| caps13 = 62

| goals13 = 33

| years14 = 2019

| clubs14 = Saint-Pierroise

| caps14 = 10

| goals14 = 1

| totalcaps = 351

| totalgoals = 85

| nationalyears1 = 2001

| nationalteam1 = France U17

| nationalcaps1 = 6

| nationalgoals1 = 9

| nationalyears2 = 2002–2006

| nationalteam2 = France U21

| nationalcaps2 = 37

| nationalgoals2 = 11

| nationalyears3 = 2008

| nationalteam3 = France

| nationalcaps3 = 1

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|FRA}}}}

{{MedalCompetition|FIFA U-17 World Cup}}

{{Medal|W|2001 Trinidad & Tobago|}}

}}

Florent Stéphane Sinama Pongolle (born 20 October 1984) is a French former professional footballer who played as a forward.

He was signed at only 16 by Liverpool, but could never impose himself in the first team. He also spent several seasons in Spain, with Recreativo, Atlético Madrid and Zaragoza.

Pongolle is now a pundit with Canal + in France.{{cite web|url=https://beyondthekop.com/watn-florent-sinama-pongolle-2/|title=Florent Sinama Pongolle: Where are they now|date=1 August 2019|access-date=5 May 2022}}

Early life

Sinama Pongolle was born in Saint-Pierre, Réunion.

Club career

=Liverpool=

Sinama Pongolle began his career at hometown club Saint-Pierroise before moving to Le Havre in Metropolitan France at the age of 11.{{cite web|url=https://www.clicanoo.re/Sport/Article/2019/01/31/Sinama-Pongolle-la-JSSP-cest-fait_565861|title=Sinama-Pongolle à la JSSP: c'est fait|trans-title=Sinama-Pongolle to JSSP: done deal|publisher=Clicanoo|last=Robinson|first=Anthony|language=French|date=31 January 2019|access-date=5 January 2020}} In 2001 he, along with his cousin Anthony Le Tallec,{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/161326-bright-future-ahead-for-rising-french-cousins|title=Bright future ahead for rising French cousins|publisher=Bleacher Report|first=Choon|last=Yau Tan|date=24 April 2009|access-date=6 March 2011}} was signed by Liverpool, after some impressive performances in both the UEFA European Under-16 Championship and the FIFA Under-17 World Championship. He was named player of the tournament as France won the latter competition,{{FIFA player|183888}} and remained at Le Havre – as Le Tallec – for a further two years on loan.

After his return, Sinama Pongolle appeared sporadically for the Reds. He made his debut in a UEFA Cup tie against NK Olimpija Ljubljana{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3190328.stm|title=Liverpool overwhelm Olimpija|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 October 2003|access-date=1 August 2004}} and shortly afterwards scored his first goal in a league game against Leeds United.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3206846.stm|title=Liverpool see off Leeds|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 October 2003|access-date=1 August 2004}} In Liverpool's victorious campaign in the UEFA Champions League, he came from the bench against Olympiacos and immediately scored Liverpool's equaliser to make it 1–1, in an eventual 3–1 win and qualification to the round of 16.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/season=2004/round=1968/match=1077225/report=rp.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070228103246/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/season=2004/round=1968/match=1077225/report=rp.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 February 2007|title=Liverpool through after thriller|publisher=UEFA|date=8 December 2004|access-date=9 June 2009}} However in a League Cup tie against Watford in January 2005 he picked up a knee injury, meaning he missed the rest of the season including Liverpool's victory in the Champions League final.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jan/27/newsstory.sport10|title=Sinama-Pongolle injury adds to Liverpool's woes|publisher=Guardian|date=27 January 2005|access-date=1 August 2004}}

Sinama Pongolle also netted in the third round of the 2005–06 FA Cup against Luton Town, as he helped Liverpool come from 3–1 down to a final score of 5–3,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jan/09/match.lutontown|title=Echoes of another epic as Liverpool forced to treat Luton like Milan|newspaper=The Guardian|last=McCarra|first=Kevin|date=9 January 2006|access-date=22 October 2018}} with the side finally emerging victorious in the tournament, and scoring in the 2005–06 Champions League 2–1 away defeat of Real Betis, with a chip from 20 yards.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/fixturesresults/round=2201/match=1100263/report=rp.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427012702/http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/UCL/FixturesResults/Round=2201/match=1100263/report=RP.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 April 2006|title=Liverpool savour flying start|publisher=UEFA|date=13 September 2005|access-date=17 March 2009}}

In late January 2006, Sinama Pongolle was loaned to fellow Premier League side Blackburn Rovers until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=390520.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026032644/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=390520.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 October 2012|title=Sinama seals Rovers loan move|publisher=UEFA|date=31 January 2006|access-date=14 July 2010}} He scored once for them, a 2–3 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4750318.stm|title=Tottenham 3–2 Blackburn|website=BBC Sport|date=5 March 2006|access-date=25 August 2009}}

=Spain=

On 30 August 2006, Sinama Pongolle signed a one-year contract at Recreativo de Huelva,{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=451129.html|title=Spain calls for Sinama Pongolle|publisher=UEFA|date=30 August 2006|access-date=14 July 2010}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} with an option to sign on for a further two years. On 4 May 2007, the Andalusians confirmed he had agreed to a deal until 2011, for a fee of 4 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=535584.html|title=Sinama Pongolle signs for Recreativo|publisher=UEFA|date=4 May 2007|access-date=14 July 2010}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He was Recre's top goalscorer in his two La Liga seasons with the team, at 12 and ten respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.huelvainformacion.es/deportes/pasos-historia_0_216578835.html|title=Tras los pasos de la historia|trans-title=Chasing history|publisher=Huelva Información|last=Carrasco|first=Antonio|language=Spanish|date=23 December 2008|access-date=22 October 2018}}

Sinama Pongolle joined Atlético Madrid on 3 July 2008, for a fee believed to be in the region of £8 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01cf-0e6f71ed70ef-80b281e99796-1000--sinama-pongolle-alights-at-atletico/|title=Sinama Pongolle alights at Atlético|publisher=UEFA|date=4 July 2008|access-date=14 July 2010}} Initially thought of as a backup to Diego Forlán and Sergio Agüero, he benefitted from an injury to the Uruguayan, scoring four goals in his first five league appearances for the Colchoneros, with braces against former club Recreativo{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=252887&cc=5739|title=Atlético Madrid 4–0 Recreativo Huelva|website=ESPN Soccernet|date=20 September 2008|access-date=4 July 2011|archive-date=26 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026100455/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=252887&cc=5739|url-status=dead}} and Getafe;{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=253013&cc=5739|title=Getafe 1–2 Atlético Madrid|website=ESPN Soccernet|date=24 September 2008|access-date=4 July 2011|archive-date=26 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026102433/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=253013&cc=5739|url-status=dead}} later in his debut campaign, injury and match bans to Maxi Rodríguez saw him playing several games as right winger,{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/sporting/detalhe/maniche-no-estilo-do-caicedo-mas-muito-melhor|title=Maniche: "No estilo do Caicedo mas muito melhor"|trans-title=Maniche: "Like Caicedo but much better"|newspaper=Record|language=Portuguese|date=28 December 2009|access-date=22 October 2018}} as the team once again finished fourth.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

=Sporting CP and Rostov=

File:Florent Sinama-Pongolle (03-08-2011).jpg in 2011]]

In the winter transfer market opening in 2010, Sinama Pongolle was transferred to Sporting CP for €6.5 million, with the fee possibly raising to €7.5.{{cite web|url=http://web3.cmvm.pt/english/sdi2004/emitentes/docs/FR26462.pdf|title=Comunicado|trans-title=Announcement|publisher=Portuguese Securities Market Commission|language=Portuguese|date=28 December 2009|access-date=4 October 2010|archive-date=12 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312064622/http://web3.cmvm.pt/english/sdi2004/emitentes/docs/FR26462.pdf|url-status=dead}} On 26 March 2010, he scored his first goal for the Lions, but also conceded an own goal in a 3–2 loss at C.S. Marítimo.{{cite news|url=https://www.cmjornal.pt/desporto/detalhe/penalti-foi-brinde-para-pongolle|title=Penálti foi brinde para Pongolle|trans-title=Penalty was a gift to Pongolle|newspaper=Correio da Manhã|language=Portuguese|date=28 March 2010|access-date=22 October 2018}}

Sinama Pongolle spent the following two seasons on loan, with Zaragoza and Saint-Étienne, the latter in his homeland.{{cite web|url=http://www.rtp.pt/noticias/sporting/pongolle-emprestado-ao-saint-etienne_d454829|title=Pongolle emprestado ao Saint-Étienne|trans-title=Pongolle loaned to Saint-Étienne|publisher=Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|language=Portuguese|date=25 June 2011|access-date=22 October 2018}} On 30 August 2012 he terminated his contract with Sporting, going on to spend two years in the Russian Premier League with FC Rostov where he featured rarely.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/nationalleagues/nationalleague=russia-russian-football-premier-league-2000000024/news/newsid/169/590/3/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111170524/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/nationalleagues/nationalleague=russia-russian-football-premier-league-2000000024/news/newsid/169/590/3/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 November 2014|title=Sinama-Pongolle heads to Russia|publisher=FIFA|date=5 September 2012|access-date=11 November 2014}}

=Later years=

On 9 September 2014, Sinama Pongolle signed with Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2014/09/news-chicago-fire-announce-signing-french-forward-florent-sinama-pongolle|title=NEWS: Chicago Fire announce the signing of French forward Florent Sinama-Pongolle|publisher=Chicago Fire FC|date=9 September 2014|access-date=9 September 2014}} In November of the following year, after a short spell in Switzerland with Lausanne-Sport, he joined Dundee United.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34942311|title=Florent Sinama Pongolle signs for Dundee United after trial|website=BBC Sport|date=27 November 2015|access-date=27 November 2015}}

In July 2016, Sinama Pongolle joined Chainat Hornbill of the Thai League 1, scoring once in his debut but in a 2–7 away defeat against Chonburi FC. In early November, in spite of the team's relegation, the 32-year-old extended his contract until 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/th/teams/%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2/%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%97-%E0%B8%AE%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A5/14850?ICID=AR_RA_2|title=กระแสดี! PLTเผยรายได้ไทยลีก บุรีรัมย์ทะลุ64ล้าน,กิเลนตามมาอันดับ2|trans-title=Florent Sinama Pongolle ready to stay even though team was relegated to division1.|website=Goal.com|language=Thai|date=7 November 2016|access-date=8 November 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://footballchannel.asia/2016/11/06/post13073/|title=Former Liverpool striker Sinama Pongolle extends contract with Chainat|publisher=Football Channel Asia|date=6 November 2016|access-date=8 November 2016}}

Sinama Pongolle returned to the island of his birth in January 2019, rejoining Saint-Pierroise with Uruguayan strike partner Diego Silva also making the same move from Thailand. Though he retired partway through the campaign, he contributed to them becoming the first Outre-Mer club since 1989 to reach the last 32 of the Coupe de France, scoring a hat-trick in the fourth round 9–1 win over ES Étang-Salé.{{cite web|url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Florent-sinama-pongolle-sur-la-js-saint-pierroise-une-super-bande-de-potes/1095511|title=Florent Sinama-Pongolle sur la JS Saint-Pierroise: "Une super bande de potes"|trans-title=Florent Sinama-Pongolle on JS Saint-Pierroise: «A super bunch of mates»|publisher=France Football|language=French|date=4 January 2020|access-date=5 January 2020}}

International career

After his under-16 and under-17 exploits, Sinama Pongolle made his France under-21 debut on 21 August 2002. He was a part of the squad that participated in the 2006 UEFA European Championship which took place in Portugal{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0257-0de6a291b84f-bf223bbb0518-1000--goals-the-goal-for-sinama-pongolle/|title=Goals the goal for Sinama-Pongolle|publisher=UEFA|first1=Greg|last1=Demetriou|first2=Michael|last2=Harrold|date=22 May 2006|access-date=14 July 2010}} and, at the end of his four-year tenure with this category, ranked first in caps (37) and goals (11).{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Sinama Pongolle played his only game with the senior side on 14 October 2008, during a 3–1 friendly win against Tunisia.{{cite web|url=http://www.football365.fr/equipe-de-france/des-bleus-a-reaction-647233.shtml|title=Des Bleus à réaction|trans-title=Blues react|publisher=Foot 365|first=Aurélien|last=Canot|language=French|date=14 October 2008|access-date=5 May 2014}}

Career statistics

=Club=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National Cup

!colspan="2"|League Cup

!colspan="2"|Continental

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

!rowspan="2"|{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}

Division||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals
rowspan="3"|Le Havre (loan)2001–02

|Division 2

|11

21011colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–133

|{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

2002–03

|Ligue 1

|31

52100colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–336

|{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

colspan="2"|Total

!42||7||3||1||1||1||0||0||0||0||46||9

!–

rowspan="5"|Liverpool

|2003–04

|Premier League

|15

2302030colspan="2"|–232

|{{Soccerbase season|id=32123|season=2003|access-date=12 December 2019}}

2004–05

|Premier League

|16

2105141colspan="2"|–264

|{{Soccerbase season|id=32123|season=2004|access-date=12 December 2019}}

2005–06

|Premier League

|7

012103130153

|{{Soccerbase season|id=32123|season=2005|access-date=12 December 2019}}

2006–07

|Premier League

|0

00000001010

|{{Soccerbase season|id=32123|season=2006|access-date=7 April 2021}}

colspan="2"|Total

!38||4||5||2||8||1||10||2||4||0||65||9

!–

Blackburn Rovers (loan)

|2005–06

|Premier League

|10

1000000colspan="2"|–101

|

rowspan="3"|Recreativo

|2006–07

|La Liga

|34

1210colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–3512

|{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/florent-sinama-pongolle/2983/|title=F. Sinama-Pongolle|website=Soccerway|access-date=5 May 2014}}{{BDFutbol}}

2007–08

|La Liga

|34

1030colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–3710

|

colspan="2"|Total

!68||22||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||72||22

!–

rowspan="3"|Atlético Madrid

|2008–09

|La Liga

|30

541colspan="2"|–90colspan="2"|–436

|

2009–10

|La Liga

|10

021colspan="2"|–30colspan="2"|–151

|

colspan="2"|Total

!40||5||6||2||0||0||12||0||0||0||58||7

!–

Sporting CP

|2009–10

|Primeira Liga

|5

1001010colspan="2"|–71

|

Zaragoza (loan)

|2010–11

|La Liga

|24

400colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–244

|

Saint-Étienne (loan)

|2011–12

|Ligue 1

|23

41010colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–254

|

rowspan="3"|Rostov

|2012–13

|Russian Premier League

|10

110colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–111

|

2013–14

|Russian Premier League

|8

130colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–111

|

colspan="2"|Total

!18||2||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||22||2

!–

Chicago Fire

|2014

|Major League Soccer

|7

10000colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–71

|

Dundee United

|2015–16

|Scottish Premier League

|4

00000colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–40

|{{Soccerbase season|id=32123|season=2015|access-date=12 December 2019}}

rowspan="4"|Chainat Hornbill

|2016

|Thai League 1

|10

130000colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–1013

|

2017

|Thai League 2

|26

140000colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–2614

|

2018

|Thai League 1

|26

60000colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–266

|

colspan="2"|Total

!62||33||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||62||33

!–

colspan="3"|Career total

!341||84||23||5||11||2||23||2||4||0||402||93

!–

=International=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=26455|title=Florent Sinama Pongolle|website=European Football|access-date=22 October 2018}}

National teamYearAppsGoals
France

|2008

10
colspan="2"|Total||1||0

Honours

Liverpool

  • UEFA Champions League: 2004–05{{cite web |last=Pearce |first=James |url=https://theathletic.com/1788408/2020/05/04/florent-sinama-pongolle-liverpool-le-tallec-champions-league-istanbul/ |title=Florent Sinama-Pongolle: I cried like crazy. I should have been on that bus |publisher=The Athletic |date=4 May 2020 }}
  • UEFA Super Cup: 2005{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/match/81041--liverpool-vs-cska-moskva/lineups/?iv=true |title=Final: Liverpool 3–1 CSKA Moskva: Line-ups |publisher=UEFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607230200/https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/match/81041--liverpool-vs-cska-moskva/lineups/?iv=true |archive-date=7 June 2020}}
  • FIFA Club World Championship runner-up: 2005{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4533980.stm |title=Sao Paulo 1–0 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2005 |access-date=8 June 2022}}
  • FA Community Shield: 2006{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4780739.stm |title=Chelsea 1–2 Liverpool: Match report |website=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2006 |access-date=7 April 2021}}

Rostov

Chainat Hornbill

Saint-Pierroise

France U17

Individual

  • FIFA U-17 World Championship Golden Ball: 2001
  • FIFA U-17 World Championship Golden Shoe: 2001

References

{{reflist}}