:Lassana Diarra

Born in Paris to Malian parents,{{cite web | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2756920-after-travails-and-tragedy-lassana-diarra-faces-real-madrid-reunion-with-psg | title=After Travails and Tragedy, Lassana Diarra Faces Real Madrid Reunion with PSG | website=Bleacher Report }} Diarra began playing football at the sports center on Rue Julien-Lacroix in Belleville, the district in which he grew up in the 20th arrondissement of Paris.{{cite news |title=Les people de Belleville : Lassana Diarra {{!}} Belleville Belleville |url=http://www.belleville-belleville.com/les-people-de-belleville-lassana-diarra/ |access-date=30 May 2021 |work=Belleville-Belleville |language=fr}} After having started his youth club career at Paris FC,{{cite news |title=Le FC Nantes rétribué pour avoir formé Lassana Diarra |url=https://www.20minutes.fr/sport/64748-20051116-sport-le-fc-nantes-retribue-pour-avoir-forme-lassana-diarra |work=20minutes |date=16 November 2005 |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20151128054744/http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=https://www.20minutes.fr/sport/64748-20051116-sport-le-fc-nantes-retribue-pour-avoir-forme-lassana-diarra |archive-date=28 November 2015 |language=fr}} Diarra was turned down by multiple football clubs as a youngster; Nantes deemed him too "small and lightweight" to succeed at 170 cm and 58 kg (5'7" and 9 stone).{{cite web|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2010/01/02/mas_futbol/1262417229_850215.html|publisher=Diario AS|language=es|access-date=4 February 2014|author=C. Colino|title=Xabi saca el balón y yo hago más la guerra|date=2 January 2010 }} He admitted he thought his "football career was over." His next stop was Le Mans UC, where Diarra claimed they "didn't seem to care" about him. He would also play shortly for Red Star 93 from the Paris-suburb of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine.{{cite news |title=The football club founded by Jules Rimet battles its way back |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36195987 |work=BBC News |date=3 May 2016 |quote=Newcastle United's Moussa Sissoko, Lassana Diarra, formerly of Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Portsmouth and ex-Arsenal player Abou Diaby went through Red Star's youth scheme}}

Diarra's footballing career began at Le Havre, a former French top-flight football team. Outstanding in his defensive midfield role, his reputation started to grow and impressive performances saw his selection to the French under-21 squad. Along with the reputation came interest from other clubs, and Chelsea became potential suitors. With Chelsea's Claude Makélélé getting older, Chelsea's scouts tagged Diarra as the "new Makélélé". Diarra was spotted by Gwyn Williams{{cite web|title=Lassana Diarra: Talentspotter|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/lassana-diarra-talentspotter|website=FourFourTwo|access-date=16 June 2017|date=1 February 2006}} playing for France in the 2005 Toulon Tournament and initially came on trial, before the club paid £1 million for his services in July 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/1103886 |title=DIARRA MOVES TO ARSENAL | News Article | News | Official Site | Chelsea Football Club |website=www.chelseafc.com |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140204234442/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/1103886 |archive-date=4 February 2014 |url-status=dead}}

File:Lassana Diarra.jpg.]]

Diarra was in Chelsea's first team squad in the 2005–06 season, but did not see much first-team football. His Chelsea debut came in the UEFA Champions League in October 2005, when he was given a brief run out as a substitute when Chelsea were 4–0 up against Real Betis. Learning from Claude Makélélé he played well against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup third round, winning rave reviews from both managers, teammates, and media sources. He made his league debut when he came on as a substitute for Makélélé on 5 February 2006 in a 2–0 win over Liverpool.{{cite news|title=Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4657240.stm|publisher=BBC|access-date=27 October 2015|date=5 February 2006}} He became a bit part player in Chelsea's first team and also completed the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's last two games of the season at Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United respectively, as manager José Mourinho rotated his squad. This meant Diarra ended the season with three league appearances as Chelsea won the 2005–06 FA Premier League. Diarra was named Chelsea's Young Player of the Season for 2005–06.{{cite web|title=Arsenal sign Lassana Diarra from Chelsea|url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-sign-lassana-diarra-from-chelsea|publisher=Arsenal.com|access-date=3 November 2014|date=31 August 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103212754/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-sign-lassana-diarra-from-chelsea|archive-date=3 November 2014}}

Due to Chelsea's defensive injury setbacks during the 2006–07 season, he was often asked to play at right back. He played full Premier League games against Blackburn, Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough, with some success. He also started in Chelsea's win over Arsenal in the League Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium. He was an unused substitute as Chelsea won the 2007 FA Cup Final against Manchester United. On 29 July, reports surfaced suggesting he could be on his way to Arsenal in pursuit of first-team football.{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/2632426/gunners-line-up-diarra-deal |title=Gunners line up Diarra deal | Football News |work=Sky Sports |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=21 July 2016}} Despite this, he came on as a substitute for Chelsea in the 2007 FA Community Shield. His contract with Chelsea was due to expire in January 2008, and having made no move to extend it, Chelsea sold him to Arsenal on 31 August 2007, before he could leave on a free transfer.{{cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/-/Actualites/-/600000000000000000000000004578 |title=L'Equipe – Arsenal piste Lassana Diarra |work=L'Équipe |location=France |date=31 July 2007 |access-date=4 February 2014}}

File:LassanaDiarra.JPG.]]

On 31 August 2007, transfer deadline day, he signed for Arsenal for an undisclosed fee.[http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-all-of-them-can-play-in-the-first-team]{{dead link|date=July 2016}} He was given the number 8 shirt, vacated by the departure of winger Freddie Ljungberg. On his move across London, he cited Gunners manager Arsène Wenger as one of the main reasons for joining the club, along with the style of football played by Arsenal. Wenger had called the young Frenchman a "multi-functional player", and a good addition to the squad.{{cite news |title=Arsenal sign Lassana Diarra from Chelsea |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-sign-lassana-diarra-from-chelsea |publisher=Arsenal.com |date=31 August 2007 |access-date=5 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222070819/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-sign-lassana-diarra-from-chelsea |archive-date=22 February 2014}} Diarra made his Arsenal debut as a late substitute in the home leg of the 2007–08 Champions League group stage match against Sevilla, and his full debut against Newcastle United in the third round of the League Cup. He then started his first Premier League match for Arsenal against Wigan Athletic on 24 November 2007.{{cite news|title=Arsenal 2-0 Wigan|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7099687.stm|publisher=BBC|access-date=27 October 2015|date=24 November 2007}} With the emergence of defensive midfielder Mathieu Flamini in the Arsenal side, Diarra saw only limited action in the early months of the season. Having expressed concerns that he was not playing enough first team football,{{cite news |title=Lassana Diarra: I want to leave Arsenal |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2328660/Lassana-Diarra-I-want-to-leave-Arsenal.html |work=The Telegraph|date=6 December 2007 |access-date=5 February 2014 | location=London | first1=Charlie | last1=Caroe}} Diarra signed for Portsmouth in January 2008 after only five months at Arsenal for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £5.5 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?article=486459&lid=NewsHeadline&sub=French+midfielder+leaves+Arsenal+for+the+south+coast&sublid=NewsHeadline&Title=French+midfielder+leaves+Arsenal+for+the+south+coast&f=rss|title=French midfielder leaves Arsenal for the south coast |access-date=17 January 2008 |date=17 January 2008 |publisher=Arsenal.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118125735/http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?article=486459&lid=NewsHeadline&sub=French%2Bmidfielder%2Bleaves%2BArsenal%2Bfor%2Bthe%2Bsouth%2Bcoast&sublid=NewsHeadline&Title=French%2Bmidfielder%2Bleaves%2BArsenal%2Bfor%2Bthe%2Bsouth%2Bcoast&f=rss|archive-date=18 January 2008 |url-status=dead}}

Diarra signed for Portsmouth on 17 January 2008.{{cite news |title=Diarra agrees Pompey deal |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11674/3052445/ |publisher=Sky Sports |date=17 January 2008 |access-date=5 February 2014 }}{{cite news |title=Backtracking Diarra commits to Portsmouth |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/portsmouth/article3212821.ece |work=The Times |location=UK |date=18 January 2008 |access-date=9 June 2008 }}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He was given his first start against Derby County,{{cite news |title=Portsmouth 3–1 Derby Match Report |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7184823.stm |publisher=BBC |date=19 January 2008 |access-date=9 June 2008 |first=Chris |last=Whyatt}} contributing to a 3–1 win at Fratton Park. He scored his first goal for the club in the following match, against FA Cup Fourth Round Championship opponents Plymouth Argyle,{{cite news |title=Portsmouth 2–1 Plymouth Match Report |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7197718.stm |publisher=BBC |date=26 January 2008 |access-date=9 June 2008 |first=Sarah |last=Holt}} and his first Premier League goal two weeks later, a controversial late winner against Bolton Wanderers.{{cite news |title=Bolton 0–1 Portsmouth Match Report |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7223964.stm |publisher=BBC |date=9 February 2008 |access-date=9 June 2008 |first=Jamie |last=Lillywhite}} Diarra went on to play in every minute of Portsmouth's remaining FA Cup matches en route to claiming the trophy in the final.{{cite news |title=Preston 0–1 Portsmouth Match Report |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7224068.stm |publisher=BBC |date=17 February 2008 |access-date=9 June 2008 |first=Aimee |last=Lewis}}{{cite news |title=Man Utd 0–1 Portsmouth Match Report |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7272806.stm |publisher=BBC |date=8 March 2008 |access-date=9 June 2008 |first=Phil |last=McNulty}}{{cite news |title=West Brom 0–1 Portsmouth Match Report |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7320356.stm |publisher=BBC |date=5 April 2008 |access-date=9 June 2008 |first=Andrew |last=McKenzie}}{{cite news |title=Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff Match Report |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7393770.stm |publisher=BBC |date=17 May 2008 |access-date=9 June 2008 |first=Phil |last=McNulty}} He topped the season by being included in the France squad for UEFA Euro 2008; this and the FA Cup win arguably vindicated his decision to part company with Arsenal, Diarra himself saying that it had "more than justified my decision."{{cite news |title=France leave out Cisse & Flamini |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/france/7406981.stm |publisher=BBC |date=28 May 2008 |access-date=9 June 2008 }} He played in the 2008 Community Shield against Manchester United, missing in the penalty shootout, which was won by United. On 18 September 2008, he scored Pompey's first-ever goal in a major European competition against Vitória de Guimarães,{{cite news |title=Portsmouth 2–0 Guimaraes Match Report |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7615243.stm |publisher=BBC |date=18 September 2008 |access-date=16 April 2010 |first=Ian |last=Hughes}} his third and final goal for the club. The first red card of Diarra's Premier League career came on 28 September 2008 when he was booked twice against Tottenham Hotspur at Fratton Park.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7626939.stm|title=Portsmouth 2-0 Tottenham|date=28 September 2008|work=BBC}}

File:Lass Messi.jpg during El Clásico at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, December 2011]]

On 17 December 2008, Portsmouth agreed a fee with Real Madrid for the transfer of Diarra on 1 January 2009 for a fee of around €20 million (£18.88 million), subject to a medical.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7787323.stm |title=Real Madrid unveil new boy Diarra |date=22 December 2008 |access-date=4 January 2018 |publisher=BBC }} He was assigned the number 6 shirt of Mahamadou Diarra for domestic competitions, as the Malian midfielder was out with a season-ending injury and the vacant number 39 for the Champions League. He wore the name "Lass" on the back of his shirt to avoid confusion with Mahamadou. Lassana Diarra's transfer was officially completed on 1 January 2009, the opening of the transfer window. Madrid had planned to add both Diarra and fellow new signing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to their 2008–09 Champions League squad, but both players had already featured in the same season's UEFA Cup for previous clubs Portsmouth and Ajax respectively; UEFA rules would allow only one of the pair to be registered{{cite web|url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind=512/newsid=791338.html |title=UEFA decision on Real Madrid |publisher=UEFA |date=8 January 2009 |access-date=4 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113083604/http://en.archive.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind%3D512/newsid%3D791338.html |archive-date=13 January 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind=512/newsid=792454.html |title=UEFA appeals body decision on Real Madrid |publisher=UEFA |date=13 January 2009 |access-date=4 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113083604/http://en.archive.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind%3D512/newsid%3D792454.html |archive-date=13 January 2016 }} by 1 February 2009, and eventually Diarra was selected to play in the competition.{{cite web | url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202761186541/noticia/Noticia/Definitive_Champions_League_list.htm | title=Definitive Champions League list | publisher=Realmadrid.com | date=2 February 2009 | access-date=2 February 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206080704/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202761186541/noticia/Noticia/Definitive_Champions_League_list.htm | archive-date=6 February 2009}}

Diarra's performance for Real Madrid in his first few months earned him a spot among the starting eleven on UEFA's 2008–09 La Liga Breakthrough Team. The Madridista joined Sevilla's Diego Perotti as the only foreigner on the list. According to the UEFA website, he "joined Real Madrid in the winter transfer window with a very low profile, although in a few short months he managed to convince the demanding Madridista fan base."

For the 2009–10 season he was assigned the number 10 shirt after Wesley Sneijder moved to Internazionale and Mahamadou Diarra came back from injury and reclaimed the number 6 shirt. Lassana Diarra scored his first official goal for Madrid in the 2009–10 La Liga opener against Deportivo de La Coruña, providing his side with their winning goal in a 3–2 victory.

Manager José Mourinho included Diarra in his starting lineup for the first game of the 2010–11 La Liga season.{{cite web |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202817745826/1330013192288/noticia/Cronica/The_Whites_draw_in_league_debut_despite_having_several_chances_on_goal.htm |title=Real Madrid C.F. – Official Web Site – The Whites draw in league debut despite having several chances on goal |publisher=Realmadrid.com |date=29 August 2010 |access-date=28 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903122055/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202817745826/1330013192288/noticia/Cronica/The_Whites_draw_in_league_debut_despite_having_several_chances_on_goal.htm |archive-date=3 September 2010}} Because Madrid bought Sami Khedira, Diarra faced further competition to get into the squad. However, Mourinho said he would not be leaving and said that he saw Diarra as a starter.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news/detail/item559312/Mourinho:-United-can-forget-Diarra/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907103552/http://www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news/detail/item559312/Mourinho:-United-can-forget-Diarra/ |archive-date=7 September 2012 |title=Football , La Liga , Mourinho: United can forget Diarra |publisher=Espnstar.Com |date=8 January 2011 |access-date=28 April 2011 |url-status=usurped}}

File:Ozil, di Maria and Diarra.jpg and Ángel Di María.]]

After speculation of Diarra leaving Real Madrid during the summer 2011 transfer window, during which he did not participate in the team's pre-season,{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2011/07/09/2567799/real-madrids-lassana-diarra-left-out-of-pre-season-tour-of |title=Real Madrid's Lassana Diarra left out of pre-season tour of the United States - report |website=Goal.com |access-date=21 July 2016}} Diarra finally stayed at the club, wearing the number 24 jersey after Sami Khedira had taken number 6 and Mesut Özil number 10 during the summer.

Diarra had a decent 2011–12 season, culminating in winning the La Liga title with the club. He participated in the team's 2012 pre-season, and won the 2012 Supercopa with the club. It seems he was forced out of the club alongside fellow midfield enforcer Esteban Granero to accommodate the stay of Kaká, despite the latter being linked with an exit.

File:Lassana Diarra 2012.jpg

After falling down in the pecking order, Diarra was linked to join Russian side Spartak Moscow.{{cite news|title=Lass Diarra has Spartak offer – agent|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1115863/real-madrid%27s-lassana-diarra-has-spartak-moscow-offer---agent-?cc=5739=|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140829211336/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1115863/real-madrid's-lassana-diarra-has-spartak-moscow-offer---agent-?cc=5739=|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 August 2014|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=25 June 2012|access-date=11 September 2012}} On transfer deadline day, 31 August 2012, Diarra joined Anzhi Makhachkala on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news|title=Official: Lassana Diarra joins Anzhi on four-year deal|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/69/transfer-zone/2012/09/03/3351869/official-lassana-diarra-joins-anzhi-on-four-year-deal|publisher=Goal.com|date=3 September 2012|access-date=11 September 2012}} He was originally meant to join merely on loan,{{cite news|title=Anzhi signs Lassana Diarra on loan from Real Madrid|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/69/transfer-zone/2012/09/01/3346275/anzhi-signs-lassana-diarra-on-loan-from-real-madrid|publisher=Goal.com|date=1 September 2012|access-date=11 September 2012}} but the club decided to make the deal permanent. After joining Anzhi, Diarra made an explanation that he joined the club, claiming that Samuel Eto'o persuaded him to join and insisted money was not the reason he joined.{{cite news|title=Diarra: I joined Anzhi because of Eto'o, not the money|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2885/europe/2012/09/11/3367976/diarra-i-joined-anzhi-because-of-etoo-not-the-money|publisher=Goal.com|date=11 September 2012|access-date=11 September 2012}}

After Anzhi made their whole squad available for transfer due to cost-cutting, there was talk of a number of clubs interested in Diarra's services; Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain were thought to be interested in taking him back to France. However, he eventually signed a four-year contract with Lokomotiv Moscow on 20 August 2013, taking the number 85 shirt. He became the second most expensive transfer in Lokomotiv's history behind only Mbark Boussoufa, who was signed by the club from Anzhi Makhachkala in the summer of 2013 for €15m. Despite being sent off twice in his first matches for his new club against Zenit Saint Petersburg and Tom Tomsk respectively, Diarra quickly established himself in starting eleven, claiming one of two usual holding midfielder's posts alongside Dmitri Tarasov. In his first months at Lokomotiv, Diarra provided so many solid performances that someone even claimed that he was the strongest player in the history of the Russian Premier League. His growing influence in the team became acknowledged: in November and December 2013, he topped the monthly poll among Lokomotiv fans in social networks and received the Player of the Month award twice in a row. After the winter break, Diarra played only five out of eleven matches and his performances were a lot below the usual level.{{cite web|publisher=FC Lokomotiv Moscow|url=http://www.fclm.ru/ru/info/news/index.php?id_4=22683|script-title=ru:Ласс Диарра – игрок ноября!|language=ru|date=3 December 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207232917/http://www.fclm.ru/ru/info/news/index.php?id_4=22683|archive-date=7 December 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|publisher=FC Lokomotiv Moscow|url=http://www.fclm.ru/ru/info/news/index.php?id_4=22791|script-title=ru:Ласс Диарра – игрок декабря!|language=ru|date=16 December 2013|access-date=16 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216112831/http://www.fclm.ru/ru/info/news/index.php?id_4=22791|archive-date=16 December 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|publisher=Russian Football News|url=http://russianfootballnews.com/the-never-ending-story-about-lokomotiv-and-lassana-diarra|title=The Never Ending Story About Lokomotiv and Lassana Diarra|date=31 May 2016}}

Things turned sour for Diarra at Lokomotiv in the summer of 2014, when he fell out with head coach Leonid Kuchuk. Matters came to a head when the club wanted to reduce Diarra's salary but he refused and even refused to turn up for training. Lokomotiv dismissed Diarra in August 2014 on the grounds of his refusal to show up for training, with his contract set to expire only in 2017. It even sought damages from Diarra for breach of contract and managed to get FIFA to ban him from playing professionally for another club as long as his contractual dispute with it was not settled. Kuchuk was eventually sacked by the club in September 2014.{{cite web|url=http://sport24.lefigaro.fr/football/transferts/actualites/interdit-de-jouer-au-foot-lassana-diarra-tacle-la-fifa-737254|title=Interdit de jouer au foot, Lassana Diarra tacle la FIFA|language=fr|work=Le Figaro|date= 14 February 2015}}

After Diarra left the club, there were several months of speculation linking him with numerous European football clubs, notably Sporting Charleroi, Celtic,{{cite web|title=Celtic deny reports of Lassana Diarra deal|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/celtic-deny-reports-of-lassana-diarra-deal-1-3592588|publisher=The Scotsman|access-date=3 November 2014|date=3 November 2014}} Inter Milan, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United.

On 27 May 2016, Diarra was ordered to pay a 10 million euro fine to Lokomotiv Moscow for breach of contract by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), along with €110,000 to the CAS. He was also given a 15-month suspension from playing professional football and a suspension of payment of salary, both of which he had already served.{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3274/ligue-1/2016/05/28/24017022/lassana-diarra-ordered-to-pay-10-million-to-lokomotiv-moscow|title=Lassana Diarra ordered to pay €10 million to Lokomotiv Moscow|publisher=goal.com|date= 28 May 2016}}

Diarra did not receive a contract from Sporting Charleroi due to concerns arising from FIFA’s rules regarding player transfers. Specifically, Charleroi withdrew their offer d.d. 19 February 2015 because of the legal and financial risks associated with signing Diarra, whose previous contract with Lokomotiv Moscow had been terminated. Diarra challenged these rules on the grounds that they violated his right to free movement within the EU, which allows workers to seek employment in other member states without restrictions.

In a preliminary ruling of 4 October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled in favor of Diarra, determining that FIFA's player contract rules violated European Union law.{{CELEX|62022CJ0650|text=Arrêt de la Cour (deuxième chambre) du 4 octobre 2024. Fédération internationale de football association (FIFA) contre BZ.}}, {{ECLI|ECLI:EU:C:2024:824}}, (Diarra pseudonymized as "BZ"), {{in lang|fr}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lawteacher.net/cases/diarra-fifa-case-3729.php?vref=1|title=Diarra v FIFA - Lassana Diarra Case|date=4 October 2024|access-date=5 October 2024|at=[https://www.lawteacher.net/ LawTeacher]}}{{cite news|last=MacInnes|first=Paul|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/oct/04/lassana-diarra-fifa-verdict-landmark-day-alter-balance-of-power-analysis|title=Diarra verdict a landmark day which could alter balance of football power|work=The Guardian |date=4 October 2024|access-date=5 October 2024|at=[https://www.theguardian.com/ The Guardian]}}{{cite news |url=https://www.goal.com/en-sa/lists/chelsea-real-madrid-star-lassana-diarra-court-case-against-fifa/blta27a1a9d32e49f60#csbb19ed47565c4565 |title=Ex-Chelsea & Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra wins court case against FIFA in ruling that challenges player contract rules |publisher=Goal.com |date=4 October 2024 |access-date=5 October 2024}} The main case is still4 Oktober 2024 pending at the Cour d'appel de Mons in Belgium.

After his ban from football, on 24 July 2015 Diarra signed for French Ligue 1 side Marseille.{{cite news|title=Former Chelsea, Real Madrid player Lassana Diarra signs with Marseille|url=http://www.espnfc.com/marseille/story/2535451/lassana-diarra-signs-marseille-ligue-1-after-year-out|access-date=24 July 2015|date=24 July 2015|work=ESPNFC}}{{Cite news |title=Lassana Diarra Olympian |url=https://www.om.net/node/184171 |publisher=Olympique de Marseille |date=24 July 2015 |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808032528/https://www.om.net/node/184171 |archive-date=8 August 2015 |url-status=dead }} He made his debut for Marseille on 23 August and scored his first goal in a 6–0 victory over Troyes, while also achieving a 100 percent pass completion.{{cite web|last1=Scott|first1=A|title=Michel's Marseille Hit Troyes for Six|url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/michel-s-marseille-hit-troyes-for-six.htm|publisher=Ligue 1|access-date=27 August 2015|date=23 August 2015}} At the end of the 2015–16 season, he was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season by the UNFP.{{cite news|url=http://frenchfootballdaily.com/2016/05/ligue-1-team-of-the-year-2016-unfp-team-of-the-season-201516/|title=Ligue 1 Team of the Year 2016- UNFP Team of the Season 2015/16|date=8 May 2016|work=French Football Daily}}

On 11 August 2016, Diarra was named as the club's new captain, replacing Steve Mandanda who had earlier joined Crystal Palace.{{cite news|url=https://www.om.net/actualites/259611/lassana-diarra-nomme-capitaine-de-lom|title=Lassana Diarra named OM captain|website=Olympique de Marseille|date=11 August 2016|access-date=11 August 2016|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828084642/https://www.om.net/actualites/259611/lassana-diarra-nomme-capitaine-de-lom|archive-date=28 August 2016|url-status=dead}} Following Rudi Garcia's appointment as new Marseille manager in October, however, Diarra's commitment to the club was questioned and he was later stripped of his captaincy in favour of loanee, Bafétimbi Gomis.{{cite news|url=http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2016/bafetimbi-gomis-awarded-the-marseille-captaincy/|title=Bafétimbi Gomis awarded the Marseille captaincy|website=Get Football News France|date=20 November 2016|access-date=25 November 2016}} Having made only 11 league appearances for the season, Diarra was released by Marseille on 14 February 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/3060885/lassana-diarra-becomes-free-agent-after-marseille-contract-terminated|title=Lassana Diarra becomes free agent after Marseille contract terminated|website=ESPN|date=14 February 2017|access-date=27 February 2017}} Former manager José Anigo later claimed that the breakdown of relationship between club and player stemmed from then-chairman Vincent Labrune's failure to honour contractual promises to Diarra.{{cite web|url=https://le10sport.com/football/mercato/mercato-om-les-regrets-de-jose-anigo-concernant-lassana-diarra-315847|title=Mercato - OM : Les regrets de José Anigo concernant Lassana Diarra!|website=le 10 Sport|date=8 June 2017|access-date=15 June 2017|language=fr}}

On 19 April 2017, Diarra joined Emirati club Al Jazira.{{cite web|url=http://www.eremnews.com/sports/football/arab/uae/806989|script-title=ar:لاسانا ديارا إلى الجزيرة الإماراتي|language=ar |work=إرم نيوز |last1=الله |first1=محمد عطا }} He made five appearances in the UAE Pro-League before mutually terminating his contract with the club on 24 December 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/3324180/lassana-diarra-becomes-free-agent-after-al-jazira-contract-terminated|title=Lassana Diarra becomes free agent after Al Jazira contract terminated|website=ESPN|date=24 December 2017}}

On 23 January 2018, Diarra joined Paris Saint-Germain on a one-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.psg.fr/pro/article/lassana-diarra-au-paris-saint-germain|title=Lassana Diarra au Paris Saint-Germain|website=psg.fr|date=23 January 2018|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022073441/https://www.psg.fr/pro/article/lassana-diarra-au-paris-saint-germain|url-status=dead}} The France international has become the 436th player to represent the capital club.{{Cite web|url=https://en.psg.fr/pro/article/lassana-diarra-makes-debut|title=Lassana Diarra makes debut - PSG.fr|website=en.psg.fr|language=en|access-date=31 January 2018|archive-date=31 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131200641/https://en.psg.fr/pro/article/lassana-diarra-makes-debut|url-status=dead}} He made his debut for the club under coach Unai Emery on 30 January 2018 in the 3–2 Coupe de la Ligue semi-final win against Stade Rennais On 21 February 2019, Diarra and PSG mutually terminated his contract with the club.{{cite web|url=http://m.leparisien.fr/sports/football/psg/lassana-diarra-a-resilie-son-contrat-avec-paris-19-02-2019-8015478.php|access-date=19 February 2019|title=Lassana Diarra a résilié son contrat avec Paris|date=19 February 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47319557|title=Paris St-Germain: Lassana Diarra contract terminated|date=21 February 2019|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=27 August 2019}} He subsequently announced his retirement from professional football.{{cite news|url=https://www.90min.com/posts/6302384-lassana-diarra-announces-retirement-from-football-after-being-released-by-paris-saint-germain|title=Lassana Diarra Announces Retirement From Football After Being Released by Paris Saint-Germain|publisher=90 Min|date=21 February 2019|access-date=1 April 2019}}

Diarra won 18 caps for the France under-21s. Perhaps his most notable performance came in the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification play-offs second-leg match against England at the Stade Marcel Picot in November 2005. With the match several minutes from full-time and seemingly destined for extra time (the aggregate score was 2–2), he received the ball in the England penalty box, where a challenge from Kieran Richardson brought Diarra down. A penalty was given for the foul, and Diarra's teammate Jimmy Briand scored the penalty, shooting the ball past Scott Carson. France won the tie 3–2 on aggregate and thus qualified for the finals to be held in Portugal.{{cite news |title=Ambrose strike saves England |url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0257-0de690507364-703629779693-1000--ambrose-strike-saves-england/|publisher=UEFA |date=11 November 2005 |access-date=5 February 2014 }}{{cite news |title=England undone by brave Briand |url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0257-0de691268380-e7cf2813bc62-1000--england-undone-by-brave-briand/|publisher=UEFA |date=15 December 2005 |access-date=5 February 2014 }}

Diarra was selected for the senior team by coach Raymond Domenech for a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier away to Lithuania on 24 March 2007. He started the match, alongside Claude Makélélé and Jérémy Toulalan in midfield, and played the full 90 minutes.{{cite news |title=Anelka to the rescue for France |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7b89f95103-63eceb0e8218-1000--anelka-to-the-rescue-for-france/ |publisher=UEFA |date=24 March 2007 |access-date=5 February 2014 }} He was also selected that year for a friendly match against Austria on 28 March 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/997342 |title=DIARRA RECEIVES FRANCE CALL | News Article | News | Official Site | Chelsea Football Club |website=www.chelseafc.com |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140205102026/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/997342 |archive-date=5 February 2014 |url-status=dead}} Diarra's consistent club performances in 2008 resulted in him being picked for the France squad for Euro 2008, ahead of high-calibre players such as Djibril Cissé and Mathieu Flamini. France was eliminated in the group stage of Euro 2008 and Diarra did not feature in any of his country's three group stage matches.{{cite news |title=Romania 0–0 France Match Report|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/7363325.stm |publisher=BBC |date=9 June 2008 |access-date=21 June 2008 |first=Chris |last=Whyatt}}{{cite news |title=Netherlands 4–1 France Match Report|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/7363369.stm |publisher=BBC |date=13 June 2008 |access-date=21 June 2008 |first=Phil |last=McNulty}}{{cite news |title=France 0–2 Italy & Netherlands 2–0 Romania Match Reports|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/7363384.stm |publisher=BBC |date=17 June 2008 |access-date=21 June 2008 |first=Phil |last=McNulty}}

Following the international retirement of fellow defensive midfielder Claude Makélélé, Diarra was called up for Domenech's France squad in the 20 August 2008 friendly with Sweden.{{cite news |title=Les Blues omit Nasri|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11800_3970921,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |date=12 August 2008 |access-date=12 August 2008 }} By the end of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, Diarra had made 26 appearances for France.{{cite web |url=http://www.fff.fr/equipes-de-france/tous-les-joueurs/fiche-joueur/329-lassana-diarra |title=Lassana |publisher=Fff.fr |date=29 January 2009 |access-date=5 February 2014 |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929054140/https://www.fff.fr/equipes-de-france/tous-les-joueurs/fiche-joueur/329-lassana-diarra |url-status=dead }}

On 11 May 2010, Diarra was named to the preliminary squad of Domenech's squad to play in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He was later named to the shortened list of players and was expected to be a starter alongside Jérémy Toulalan in the midfield. On 22 May, however, while training with the national team in the high-altitude commune of Tignes, it was announced that Diarra was dropping out of the squad due to his suffering severe intestinal pain and stomach cramps as a result of the altitude. A follow-up medical check revealed that Diarra would require rest for an indefinite period.{{cite news |title=Lassana Diarra forfait |url=https://www.algerie360.com/lassana-diarra-forfait/ |publisher=Algerie |date=22 May 2010 |access-date=5 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215631/http://www.algerie360.com/sport/football/lassana-diarra-forfait/ |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=live}} His club, Real Madrid, later revealed that Diarra was resting at home following medical advice due to asthenic syndrome secondary to sickle-cell anemia, a genetic blood disorder characterized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape.{{cite news |title=Diarra resting after missing out on World Cup |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-05-23-2541772632_x.htm |work=USA Today |date=23 May 2010 |access-date=24 May 2010 |first=Jerome |last=Pugmire}}

After an absence of over five years, Diarra received a surprise recall to the French team following a fine run of form at the beginning of the 2015–16 season. Upon announcing his return to the squad, France manager Didier Deschamps highlighted Diarra's performances in a struggling Marseille side as the reason behind his inclusion.{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37436474/lassana-diarra-returns-france-squad-five-years|title=Lassana Diarra makes return to France squad after five-year absence

|date=1 October 2015|access-date=9 May 2025|work=ESPN|last=Rodden|first=Mark}}

On 12 May 2016, Diarra was named in the France squad for UEFA Euro 2016. On 30 May 2016, he played the first half of the friendly match against Cameroon and was replaced at half-time by N'Golo Kanté.{{cite news|url=http://www.espnfc.com.au/france/story/2870292/ngolo-kante-in-france-squad-for-euro-2016-but-hatem-ben-arfa-and-alexandre-lacazette-out|title=N'Golo Kante in France's Euros squad; Lacazette, Gameiro, Ben Arfa miss out|date=12 May 2016|work=ESPN}} However, Diarra later was forced to pull out of the squad because of a swelling in his left knee. He was replaced by Manchester United's Morgan Schneiderlin.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36422929|title=Euro 2016: Lassana Diarra ruled out, Morgan Schneiderlin comes in|date=31 May 2016|work=BBC}}

Despite being an aggressive, hard-tackling and hard-working player, Diarra has unusually good ball control for a defensive midfielder, and has been praised for his physical strength in defence, as well as his composure, and strong mentality.{{cite web |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1193041476158/1202773333597/noticia/Noticia/A_pleasant_surprise.htm |title=Real Madrid C.F. – Official Web Site – A pleasant surprise |publisher=Realmadrid.com |date=4 June 2009 |access-date=28 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231195159/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1193041476158/1202773333597/noticia/Noticia/A_pleasant_surprise.htm |archive-date=31 December 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/lassana-diarra-talentspotter|title=Lassana Diarra: Talentspotter|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=1 February 2006|access-date=1 March 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/3331251/Hard-working-Bolton-Wanderers-reap-the-rewards-against-Manchester-City-Football.html|title=Hard-working Bolton Wanderers reap the rewards against Manchester City|work=The Telegraph|author1=Henry Winter|date=2 November 2008|access-date=1 March 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/lassana-diarra-the-heartbreaking-story-of-the-france-international-defying-isis-a6736341.html|title=Lassana Diarra: The heartbreaking story of the France international defying Isis|work=The Independent|author1=Michael E. Miller|date=16 November 2015|access-date=1 March 2017}} Although he is usually deployed in the centre of midfield as a ball-winner, due to his energy, tenacity, and tackling abilities, he is also a creative player who can dictate the tempo of his team's play with his tidy and intelligent passing from deep midfield positions after winning back possession; he is also capable of being an offensive threat due to his ability to get forward and score goals, courtesy of his striking ability from distance.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/french-ligue-1/9/blog/post/2735527/lassana-diarra-leads-five-outstanding-performers-of-ligue-1|title=Lassana Diarra leads five outstanding performers of the Ligue 1 season so far|publisher=ESPN FC|author1=Julien Laurens|date=1 December 2015|access-date=1 March 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/6973572.stm|title=Arsenal take Diarra from Chelsea|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2007|access-date=1 March 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/france/11997612/England-vs-France-Lassana-Diarra-back-at-Wembley-after-comeback-tainted-by-tragedy-during-Paris-terrorist-attacks.html|title=England vs France: Lassana Diarra back at Wembley after comeback tainted by tragedy during Paris terrorist attacks|work=The Telegraph|author1=Ian Hawkey|date=15 November 2015|access-date=1 March 2017}} Due to his many attributes and versatility, Madrid's La Sexta television commentators refer to him as a "todocampista," or "jack of all trades",{{cite web|author=Editorial |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2009/11/24/1639776/el-clasico-inquisition-real-madrid-barcelonas-unsung-heroes |title=El Clasico Inquisition: Real Madrid & Barcelona's Unsung Heroes |publisher=Goal.com |date=24 November 2009 |access-date=28 April 2011}} and he has also occasionally played in more advanced midfield roles, or as a right back.{{cite web|url=http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/topic/lassana-diarra/|title=Lassana Diarra|publisher=HITC.com|access-date=1 March 2017}}

Jimmy Bullard said on facing Diarra: ‘he was a bit like Kanté. When you look at him you think “I can deal with that, he’s fine. He’s 5”2”, I reckon I can handle this”. Unbelievable. What a player he was.’{{Cite web |date=2023-06-03 |title="You've done me' - What Jimmy Bullard said to Danny Murphy after being told to mark Pompey sensation Lassana Diarra |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/youve-done-me-what-former-fulham-midfielder-jimmy-bullard-said-to-danny-murphy-after-being-told-to-mark-portsmouth-sensation-lassana-diarra-4168536 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=The News |language=en}}

Diarra is a practising Muslim. On 13 November 2015, his cousin Asta Diakité was killed during a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris.{{cite news |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2015/11/20/01016-20151120ARTFIG00232--pantin-on-pleure-asta-jeune-musulmane-tuee-par-les-terroristes.php |title=À Pantin, on pleure Asta, jeune musulmane tuée par les terroristes |first=Eugénie |last=Bastié |date=20 November 2015 |access-date=23 December 2019 |newspaper=Le Figaro|language=fr}} At the time, Diarra was playing for France in an international friendly against Germany at the Stade de France, just north of Paris in Saint-Denis.{{cite news|url=http://www.caughtoffside.com/2015/11/14/cousin-of-ex-chelsea-arsenal-real-madrid-star-international-midfielder-killed-in-paris-attack|title= Cousin of ex-Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid star & international midfielder killed in Paris attacks|last=Fulco|first=Hugo|date=14 November 2015|publisher=CaughtOffside|access-date=14 November 2015}}

Diarra grew up supporting Marseille.

:Source:{{Soccerbase|41527|name=Lassana Diarra|access-date=3 November 2014}}

:Source:

Chelsea

• FA Cup: 2006–07{{cite news|title=FA Cup final - Chelsea 1–0 Man Utd|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/6649815.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=3 November 2014|date=19 May 2007}}
• Football League Cup: 2006–07{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6371613.stm |title=Chelsea 2–1 Arsenal |website=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2008 |access-date=26 March 2024}}

Portsmouth

• FA Cup: 2007–08

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 2011–12{{cite web|title=L. Diarra|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/lassana-diarra/2384/|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=3 November 2014}}
• Copa del Rey: 2010–11
• Supercopa de España: 2012

Paris Saint-Germain

• Ligue 1: 2017–18{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/psg-clinch-ligue-1-title-by-thrashing-monaco/1ty70ovdroka415jkim9oc0zsj|title=PSG clinch Ligue 1 title by thrashing Monaco|access-date=15 April 2018|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612135952/http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/psg-clinch-ligue-1-title-by-thrashing-monaco/1ty70ovdroka415jkim9oc0zsj|url-status=dead}}
• Coupe de France: 2017–18{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/paris-saint-germain-set-record-with-fourth-straight-coupe-de/1ubb1rik0lw6b1pwatka3l5nh6|title=Paris Saint-Germain set record with fourth straight Coupe De France crown|publisher=Goal|access-date=8 May 2018}}
• Coupe de la Ligue: 2017–18{{cite web|url=http://www.ligue1.com/coupeLigue/article/mbappe-stars-as-psg-beat-monaco-to-lift-cup.htm|title=MBAPPÉ STARS AS PSG BEAT MONACO TO LIFT CUP|publisher=Ligue 1|access-date=1 April 2018}}
• Trophée des Champions: 2018{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=511012|title=PSG thrash Monaco to win French Super Cup as Neymar plays 15 minutes|publisher=ESPN|access-date=4 August 2018}}

Individual

• Chelsea Young Player of the Year: 2005–06
• Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2015–16

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{FFF player}}
• {{UEFA player}}
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{{France squad UEFA Euro 2008}}

{{2015–16 Ligue 1 UNFP Team of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Diarra, Lassana}}

Category:1985 births

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