:Nicolas Anelka

Anelka was born in Le Chesnay, Yvelines,{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur3853.html |title=Nicolas Anelka |newspaper=L'Équipe |location=Paris |access-date=8 March 2020 |language=fr}} to parents who had moved from Martinique in 1974. Thereafter, they settled in Trappes, near Paris. His childhood friends from Trappes include the actors Omar Sy and Jamel Debbouze.{{cite news |title=Anelka, Debbouze, Sy, les trois de Trappes |url=https://www.lejdd.fr/Medias/Television/Omar-Sy-Jamel-Debbouze-et-Nicolas-Anelka-les-trois-de-Trappes-484269-3224471 |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=Le Journal de Dimanche |date=5 February 2012 |language=French}} His mother is a secretary in the local high school.[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/26/sports/26iht-soccer.3674386.html "Nicolas Anelka haunts old coach as Bolton beats Arsenal"]. The New York Times. 26 November 2006.[http://fourfourtwo.com/interviews/one-on-one/156/article.aspx "One-on-One with Nicolas Anelka"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828002324/http://fourfourtwo.com/interviews/one-on-one/156/article.aspx |date=28 August 2008 }}. FourFourTwo Retrieved 8 January 2012.[https://archive.today/20130213165632/http://www.lepoint.fr/archives/article.php/81309 "Nicolas Anelka: de Trappes à Wembley"] (in French). Le Point. 20 February 1999.

Anelka is married to Barbara Tausia, a Belgian choreographer. Together, they have two sons, Kais, born in 2008, and Kahil, born in 2010.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/20/championsleague.chelsea3?2010. Chelsea: The players] The Guardian, 20 May 2008; Retrieved 10 February 2009 He acted in the 2002 film Le Boulet as a footballer named Nicolas. He has said that when he retires from football, he would like to work in the film industry because he has a friend in the business.{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/oct/24/theknowledge.sport | work=The Guardian | title=Has a journalist ever won an international cap? | first=Tom | last=Bryant | date=24 October 2007| access-date=20 May 2010 | location=London}} He said, "I have a friend who's a producer, who makes lots of films. He recently did Astérix. So it's already agreed that I'm going to do other films. It helps to know actors and producers. It's different to football and it's something I enjoy very much because there's no ball. I like pretending to be somebody else, it's fun."{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

Anelka has two brothers, Claude and Didier.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/nov/30/chelsea-arsenal-premier-league The £85m man lights Blue touchpaper] The Observer, 30 November 2008

After discussing religion with some childhood friends, Anelka converted to Islam in 2004 in the United Arab Emirates, taking the Muslim name of "Abdul-Salam Bilal".Taylor, Louise [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/feb/14/newsstory.sport9 How Big Sam and Allah made Le Sulk smile] The Guardian, 14 February 2007; Retrieved 10 February 2009 Anelka has said that he initially fasted during daylight hours as is required for the Muslim month of Ramadan, but "I realised I often got injured just after the period of Ramadan, so I don't observe it strictly any more".{{cite news |last=Din|first=Tusdiq|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fasting-and-football-how-do-topflight-muslims-cope-2342187.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220620/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fasting-and-football-how-do-topflight-muslims-cope-2342187.html |archive-date=20 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Fasting and football. How do top-flight Muslims cope?|newspaper=The Independent|date=23 August 2011|access-date=1 January 2013|location=London}} Initially, Anelka considered leaving European football to play in the UAE: "I am ready to stay here and to play for a club in the Emirates. I am not keen to go back to England or France." However, this did not come to pass and he briefly moved to Turkey instead, as well as three more English clubs.Stammers, Steve [https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/muslim-anelka-to-quit-england-7231953.html Muslim Anelka to quit England]. This is London, 10 June 2004; Retrieved 24 May 2014

Anelka is also known for his controversial relationship with French comedian Dieudonné M'bala M'bala and attracted widespread condemnation after performing the quenelle hand gesture, created by M'bala and regarded as anti-Semitic, on the pitch when playing for West Bromwich Albion in 2013.{{cite news|title=Nicolas Anelka: West Brom striker defends goal celebration|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25537686|access-date=31 December 2013}} Anelka responded that the gesture was anti-establishment, not anti-Semitic. An FA disciplinary hearing nonetheless banned Anelka for five matches, but found that he was not anti-Semitic and had not intended the gesture to express or promote anti-Semitism.{{cite news|title=Nicolas Anelka banned and fined £80,000 for 'quenelle' gesture|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26326484|access-date=28 February 2014|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=27 February 2014}} After West Brom suspended him pending their own investigation, Anelka was given notice of termination of his contract by the club due to the club and player being unable to come to terms over the conditions required for the suspension by the club to be lifted, as well as comments made by Anelka on Twitter.{{cite news|title=Albion update on Anelka Contract|url=http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/albion-update-on-anelka-contract-march-2014-1421762.aspx|access-date=15 March 2014|newspaper=West Bromwich Albion F.C.|date=14 March 2014|archive-date=15 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315014404/http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/albion-update-on-anelka-contract-march-2014-1421762.aspx|url-status=dead}} In 2020, Anelka said the quenelle was only a protest against his former manager Steve Clarke, who is not Jewish.

Anelka has been the subject of the 2012 Canal+ documentary L'Entrée des Trappistes about his friendship with Sy and Debbouze, and the feature-length 2020 Netflix documentary Anelka: Misunderstood.{{cite news |last1=Varley |first1=Ciaran |title=Anelka: Misunderstood - new Netflix documentary recaps boycotts, bans and fallouts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53672309 |access-date=23 February 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 August 2020}}

Anelka began his career at Paris Saint-Germain as a youth player at age 16.{{cite web| title = Nicolas Anelka joins Mumbai City in Indian Super League| url = http://sports-nova.com/nicolas-anelka-join-mumbai-city-indian-super-league/| publisher = sports-nova.com| access-date = 15 September 2014| archive-date = 10 October 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141010145838/http://sports-nova.com/nicolas-anelka-join-mumbai-city-indian-super-league/| url-status = dead}}

In February 1997, at age 17, Anelka joined Premier League club Arsenal for a £500,000 transfer fee{{cite web| title = Number 9 Nicolas Anelka| url = http://arseweb.com/people/ex/Nicolas_Anelka.html| publisher = Arseweb| access-date = 24 August 2007| archive-date = 28 March 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120328023656/http://arseweb.com/people/ex/Nicolas_Anelka.html| url-status = dead}} under newly appointed manager Arsène Wenger. The transfer caused controversy in France as Arsenal sought to sign him for free under the precedent of the recent Bosman ruling, despite there being exceptions for players under the age of 24; Wenger said this age restriction was only for domestic transfers.{{cite news |last1=Duxbury |first1=Nick |title=French talk of blocking Anelka deal: Football |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/french-talk-of-blocking-anelka-deal-football-1283476.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220620/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/french-talk-of-blocking-anelka-deal-football-1283476.html |archive-date=20 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=The Independent}}

His first team opportunities were limited in the 1996–97 season, but in 1997–98, he broke into the first team after a long-term injury to striker Ian Wright. In November 1997, Anelka scored his first goal for Arsenal in a 3–2 home win against Manchester United.{{cite web| title = Nicolas Anelka Bio| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=10862&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| access-date = 9 July 2007| archive-date = 9 June 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120609195255/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/10862/Nicolas-Anelka| url-status = dead}}{{Soccerbase season|10409|1997|name=Nicolas Anelka|access-date=24 May 2014}} Anelka was a key player in Arsenal's Double win of both the Premier League and FA Cup that season.{{cite web|url=http://skladyfutbol.pl/infopage.php?id=1386|publisher = Skladyfutbol.pl|title=Arsenal London 1997-98|date=12 February 2020|access-date=12 February 2020}} Anelka scored the second goal in Arsenal's 2–0 win over Newcastle United in that season's FA Cup final.{{Cite web|title=BBC News {{!}} Football {{!}} Arsenal at the double|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/94885.stm|access-date=28 June 2020|website=news.bbc.co.uk}}

Anelka was Arsenal's top scorer in the 1998–99 season with 17 Premier League goals. This form saw him voted the PFA Young Player of the Year, but Arsenal failed to defend their Premier League and FA Cup titles and made little progress in the UEFA Champions League. Fans turned on the striker amid transfer speculation and a perceived lack of enthusiasm, giving him the nickname "Le Sulk".{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4547209,00.html|title=Anelka – I'm no 'Le Sulk'|date=25 November 2008|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=29 November 2008}} During the close season, Anelka stated a desire to leave Arsenal, claiming the English press was responsible for his unhappiness in England.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/405221.stm|title=Anelka: The story so far ... |date=2 August 1999|access-date=29 June 2013|work=BBC}} On 2 August 1999, he joined Real Madrid.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/408603.stm|title=Suker replaces Anelka at Arsenal|date=2 August 1999|access-date=29 June 2013|work=BBC}}

With regard to his time with the Gunners, Anelka later said he believes he should have never left Arsenal, a club that he has great "love" for.{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/14/nicolas-anelka|title=Nicolas Anelka|website=Arsenal.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305114755/http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/14/nicolas-anelka|archive-date=5 March 2017}} Of his former boss at Highbury, Arsène Wenger, Anelka is a huge admirer and a strong supporter of him.{{cite web|url=http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2017/nicolas-anelka-slams-wenger-haters-cites-players-psychological-weaknesses|title=Nicholas Anelka slams Wenger haters|website=Get Football News France.com|date=4 March 2017 }} Anelka also placed at 29th in the club's compilation of the 50 Greatest Gunners of all-time. In all, he made 90 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 28 goals altogether for the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/gunners-greatest-players-29.-nicolas-anelka|title= Greatest 50 Players – 29. Nicolas Anelka|website=Arsenal.com|date= 19 May 2024}}

In the summer of 1999, Anelka moved to Real Madrid for a £22.3 million transfer fee.{{cite web| title = Nicolas Anelka| url = http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/arsenal-fc/nicolas-anelka-9265/premiership-appearances_a10950/| publisher=Football-Heroes| access-date =24 May 2014}} He took time to score for the club; on a visit to the football tabloid Marca he played a FIFA game with the staff, who then released the mocking front-page headline "Anelka finally scores a goal...on a video game".{{cite news |title=Nicolas Anelka opens up on his Real Madrid 'nightmare' in his new Netflix film |url=https://www.arsenalfcnews.co.uk/nicolas-anelka-opens-up-on-his-real-madrid-nightmare-in-his-new-netflix-film-2020-08-05/ |access-date=23 February 2021 |publisher=Arsenal FC News |date=5 August 2020}} He failed to score for Real Madrid in his first five months at the club, eventually recording his first goal in the opening match of the FIFA Club World Championship against Al-Nassr on 5 January 2000.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/12/99/world_club_championship/592425.stm|title=Anelka finally opens account|date=5 January 2000|work=BBC}} Two days later, he scored twice against Corinthians in the same competition, also missing an 81st-minute penalty kick that would have given him a hat-trick.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/jan/08/worldclubchampionship|title=Anelka doubles up but then pays the penalty for Real|date=9 January 2000|work=The Guardian}}

On 28 February 2000, Anelka scored his first La Liga goal in a 3–0 defeat of rivals Barcelona in El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/feb/28/newsstory.sport|title=Anelka proves the Real deal|date=29 February 2000|work=The Guardian}} However, in March, he was suspended by club president Lorenzo Sanz after refusing to train, because of a disagreement with head coach Vicente del Bosque.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/675366.stm|title=Anelka: 'They treat me like a dog'|date=14 March 2000|work=BBC}} After returning to the team,{{cite web|title=Apology Behind Him, Real Madrid's Forward Helps Break Bayern : A Goal Returns Anelka to Favor |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2000/05/11/soccer.2.t_6.php |work=International Herald Tribune |access-date=14 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204064213/http://www.iht.com/articles/2000/05/11/soccer.2.t_6.php |archive-date=4 December 2008 }} Anelka scored in both legs of the Champions League semi-final to give Los Blancos a 3–2 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich and advance to the competition final.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/may/03/championsleague.sport|title=Real Madrid 2–0 Bayern Munich|date=4 May 2000|work=The Guardian}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/may/09/championsleague.sport|title=Bayern Munich 2–1 Real Madrid|date=10 May 2000|work=The Guardian}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/champions_league/735181.stm|title=Anelka sparks Real celebrations|work=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2000 |access-date=16 April 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/champions_league/742590.stm|title=Anelka seals Real's final ticket|work=BBC Sport|date=9 May 2000 |access-date=16 April 2012}} He started in the final, held at the Stade de France in his home city of Paris, as Real Madrid ran out 3–0 winners over Valencia to win an eighth European Cup.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/may/24/championsleague.sport1|title=Real Madrid 3–0 Valencia|date=25 May 2000|work=The Guardian}}

Anelka signed a six-year professional contract at Paris Saint-Germain in July 2000, a return to the club at which he used to play as a youth player, in a transfer deal worth £22 million.{{cite news|title=Nicolas Anelka factfile|url=http://metro.co.uk/2008/01/11/nicolas-anelka-factfile-496941/|newspaper=Metro|date=11 January 2008}} The Paris club had finished second in Ligue 1 that season, thereby qualifying for the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League. Anelka's return was met with much fanfare. Canal Plus, which owned Paris Saint-Germain, financed the transfer, while PSG sponsor Nike covered much of Anelka's compensation of £30–35,000 per week.{{cite news|title=Anelka set to return home in £20 Million Deal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/jul/11/newsstory.sport3|newspaper=The Guardian|date=11 July 2000}}

Anelka started well and was appointed captain of a team that was briefly at the top of 2000–01 French Division 1, but the team's form quickly dropped.{{cite news|title=Liverpool take a gamble on Anelka|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/dec/22/newsstory.sport5|newspaper=The Guardian|date=22 December 2001}} In December 2000, following a 5–1 loss to Sedan, Philippe Bergeroo was replaced as PSG manager by Luis Fernández. PSG finished ninth in Ligue 1 that season, earning a place in next season's UEFA Intertoto Cup. PSG finished second in the first round of group stage, behind Bayern Munich, but finished bottom of the second group stage, behind Deportivo de La Coruña, Galatasaray and Milan.{{cite web|title=2000–01|url=http://www.psg.fr/en/News/003002/Article/38612/2000-2001|publisher=Paris St. Germain|date=19 May 2013|access-date=26 November 2016|archive-date=10 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510072302/http://www.psg.fr/en/News/003002/Article/38612/2000-2001|url-status=dead}}

However, once again, Anelka developed issues with his head coach, Luis Fernández (who was already under pressure for benching Ronaldinho due to his work ethic).{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

After two and a half years, Anelka returned to the Premier League in December 2001 to join Liverpool on a short-term loan deal until the end of the season. He contributed to Liverpool's late push to come second in the 2001–02 FA Premier League, scoring goals against Everton,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1834868.stm| title=Everton hold Liverpool|work=BBC Sport| date=23 February 2002 | access-date=27 August 2009}}

Fulham,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1847841.stm|title=Liverpool see off Fulham|work=BBC Sport|date=2 March 2002 |access-date=27 August 2009}} Blackburn Rovers,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1976250.stm|title=Liverpool win Rovers thriller|work=BBC Sport|date=8 May 2002 |access-date=27 August 2009}} Ipswich Town,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1978521.stm|title=Rampant Reds sink Ipswich|work=BBC Sport|date=11 May 2002 |access-date=27 August 2009}} and in the 2001–02 FA Cup against Birmingham City,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1735029.stm|title=Liverpool cruise through|work=BBC Sport|date=5 January 2002 |access-date=27 August 2009}} but manager Gérard Houllier opted not to offer him a permanent deal after the end of the season in favour of signing Senegalese forward El Hadji Diouf.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/2627225.stm |work=BBC Sport | title=Houllier: No Anelka regrets | date=4 January 2003}}

Anelka joined Manchester City on 24 May 2002, with the £13 million transfer fee paid by manager Kevin Keegan, then a club record high.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/2001514.stm |title=Anelka agrees Man City move |date=24 May 2002 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=10 September 2011}} In his first season at City, Anelka was the club's top scorer with 14 goals, including a goal in the last ever Manchester Derby at Maine Road against Manchester United, against former club Arsenal and a last minute winner at Anfield after scoring a penalty just moments earlier. In his second season at City, he finished top scorer again, in the club's first season at the City of Manchester Stadium, with 25 goals. On 16 October 2004, he won and scored a penalty against Chelsea, which led to José Mourinho's first defeat as Chelsea manager.{{cite news|title=Man City 1–0 Chelsea|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3724112.stm|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=16 October 2004}}

In January 2005, Manchester City announced Anelka had completed a £7 million transfer to Turkish team Fenerbahçe.{{cite news| title = Anelka completes Fenerbahce move| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/4208297.stm|work=BBC Sport| date = 31 January 2005| access-date =30 July 2007}} He helped the Turkish club win the Süper Lig title in 2005,{{cite web|url=http://www.fussballdaten.de/vereine/fenerbahceistanbul/2005/|title=Fenerbahce Istanbul – Süper Lig 2004/2005 – Fussballdaten – Die Fußballdatenbank|access-date=26 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406043900/http://www.fussballdaten.de/vereine/fenerbahceistanbul/2005/|archive-date=6 April 2016}} and played with them in the UEFA Cup that season, as well as the UEFA Champions League the season after.{{Cite web|title=Fenerbahçe - Appearances Champions League 2005/2006|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/team_performance/fenerbahce/champions-league-2005-2006/|access-date=28 June 2020|website=worldfootball.net|language=en}}

On 25 August 2006, Bolton Wanderers signed Anelka on a four-year deal for a club record transfer fee of £8 million.{{cite news| title = Bolton sign Anelka in record deal| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/5274012.stm|work=BBC Sport| date = 25 August 2006| access-date =9 July 2007}} He made his debut for Bolton against Watford on 9 September 2006.{{cite news| title = Allardyce buoyed by Anelka debut| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/5334462.stm|work=BBC Sport| date = 11 September 2006| access-date =9 July 2007}} He opened his account on 19 September in a League Cup match against Walsall, scoring the last goal of a 3–1 away win.{{cite news|title=Walsall 1–3 Bolton|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/5351650.stm|access-date=22 March 2014|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=19 September 2006}} After 11 matches without a goal in the Premier League, he scored his first goals – a brace – on 25 November to help down Arsenal 3–1.{{cite news|last=Sanghera|first=Mandeep|title=Bolton 3–1 Arsenal|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6161058.stm|access-date=22 March 2014|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=25 November 2006}} He finished the 2006–07 Premier League season as Bolton's top scorer with eleven goals.{{Cite web|title=Premier League 2006/2007 - Top Scorer|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/goalgetter/eng-premier-league-2006-2007/|access-date=28 June 2020|website=worldfootball.net|language=en}}

In January 2007, Anelka stated he would be willing to leave Bolton for a return to former club Arsenal.{{cite news| title = Anelka's Wenger admiration| url = http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/2403217/anelkas-wenger-admiration| publisher=Sky Sports| date = 23 January 2007| access-date =24 May 2014}} However, he pledged his future to Bolton in July 2007 following talks with manager Sammy Lee.{{cite news| title = Anelka makes commitment to Bolton| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/6495045.stm|work=BBC Sport| date = 9 July 2007| access-date =9 July 2007}} Anelka later said he would reluctantly consider leaving the club if Bolton's poor start to the 2007–08 season continued,{{cite news| title = Bolton form may mean Anelka exit| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/6963683.stm|work=BBC Sport| date = 25 August 2007| access-date =25 August 2007}} but later signed a new four-year contract lasting until 2011 on 30 August.{{cite news| title = Anelka signs new deal with Bolton| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/6970318.stm|work=BBC Sport| date = 30 August 2007| access-date =30 August 2007}} In June 2020 Anelka admitted he signed the contract so that Bolton could get a bigger transfer fee when he left.{{Cite web|title=Nicolas Anelka answers YOUR questions!|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/june/nicolas-anelka-answers-your-questions/|access-date=11 March 2021|website=www.bwfc.co.uk|language=en-gb}}

On 11 January 2008, it was confirmed Anelka would join Chelsea for £15 million.{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jan/11/newsstory.boltonwanderers1| title=Chelsea capture £15m Anelka|publisher=guardian.co.uk|date=11 January 2008|location=London|first=Tom|last=Bryant}} He made his Chelsea debut against Tottenham Hotspur on 12 January 2008,{{cite web| url=http://www.eyefootball.com/news/2656/Anelka-sparkles-debut.html| title=Anelka shines as Chelsea win|publisher=Eye Football|date=12 January 2008}} and scored his first goal two weeks later in the FA Cup against Wigan Athletic. He scored his first league goal on 2 February against Portsmouth, but failed to score again for Chelsea during the 2007–08 season.{{cite web| title = Nicolas Anelka| url = https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10409| publisher = Soccerbase| access-date = 9 July 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121103222748/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10409| archive-date = 3 November 2012| url-status = live| df = dmy-all}}

File:Anelka Chelsea.jpg

In the 2008 Champions League final, Anelka delivered Chelsea's seventh penalty which was saved by Edwin van der Sar, resulting in Manchester United winning the competition. Anelka later blamed manager Avram Grant for his penalty miss, claiming Grant brought him on to play as a late substitute without a proper warm up beforehand and also too late in the game to acclimatize himself in it.{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/24/championsleague.premierleague|title=Anelka blames miss on lack of warm-up to put more heat on Grant|publisher=guardian.co.uk|date=23 May 2008|last1=Nakrani|first1=Sachin|last2=Hytner|first2=David}}

On 3 August 2008, Anelka scored four goals in a 5–0 friendly win against Milan.{{cite news|title=Chelsea rout sorry Milan|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/1196/report|access-date=22 March 2014|newspaper=Sky Sports|date=3 August 2008}}

With Didier Drogba injured at the beginning of the 2008–09 season, Anelka made a very impressive start to the campaign. His goalscoring spree won him the Golden Boot Award on 14 November 2008 for being the first player that season to score ten Premier League goals.{{cite web| url=http://origin-www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~1454924,00.html| title=Anelka win Barclays Golden Boot Award| publisher=Premier League| date=14 November 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525232839/http://origin-www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~1454924,00.html| archive-date=25 May 2014| df=dmy-all}} Anelka scored his first competitive hat-trick for Chelsea against Sunderland, in a 5–0 home win on 1 November 2008, and followed this up with two braces against Blackburn Rovers, then West Bromwich Albion.{{cite news|last=Bevan |first=Chris |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7684736.stm |title=Chelsea 5–0 Sunderland |work=BBC Sport |date=1 November 2008 |access-date=3 May 2010}} He established himself as an important member of the squad and maintained his place in the team despite the return to fitness of Drogba. After the arrival of Guus Hiddink, Anelka was more often played on the wing. Furthermore, he was ranked among the top goalscorers in the league for the season. He scored another hat-trick against Watford in the FA Cup to earn Chelsea a 3–1 victory at Vicarage Road.{{cite news|author=Dominic Fifield|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/feb/16/hiddink-chelsea-watford-fa-cup |title=FA Cup: Watford 1–3 Chelsea |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=16 February 2009|access-date=3 May 2010}} On 10 May, he scored one goal and set up another in a 4–1 away win against former club Arsenal. Anelka did not celebrate the goal which he scored in the game, as he disclosed "he still loved Arsenal".{{cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/anelka-i-still-love-arsenal|title=Anelka: I still love Arsenal|website=Four Four Two.com|date=15 May 2009 }} A goal in Chelsea's final Premier League game of the season at Sunderland put him as top goal scorer for the season in the Premier League, earning him the Golden Boot with 19 goals.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8048317.stm "Sunderland 2–3 Chelsea"]. BBC Sport. 24 May 2009.

File:Nicolas Anelka 1.jpg

Anelka scored his first goal of the 2009–10 season against West London rivals Fulham in a 2–0 win at Craven Cottage, before continuing his fine form with the opening goal in Chelsea's 3–0 win over Burnley the following weekend. He scored his third goal of the season in the opening match of the 2009–10 Champions League group stage in the 1–0 victory over Porto.{{cite news|last=McNulty |first=Phil |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8254392.stm |title=Chelsea 1–0 F.C. Porto |work=BBC Sport|date=15 September 2009|access-date=3 May 2010}} Anelka scored one of the best goals of his season against APOEL in the Champions League with the ball being passed into the net from outside the box. Anelka scored his third league goal of the season against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in a 2–0 win with the second goal coming from compatriot Florent Malouda.{{cite news|last=McNulty |first=Phil |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8283710.stm |title=Chelsea 2–0 Liverpool |work=BBC Sport |date=4 October 2009|access-date=3 May 2010}} Anelka continued his fine scoring run in the Champions League with the winner in the 1–0 victory over Porto at the Estádio do Dragão, making Chelsea only the second ever English side to win at Porto's home ground. He continued his scoring in the season by scoring Chelsea's first goal in a 3–3 draw against Everton in the Premier League, his first goal in the competition since October.{{cite news|last=Dawkes |first=Phil |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8402643.stm |title=Chelsea 3–3 Everton |work=BBC Sport|date=12 December 2009|access-date=3 May 2010}} He followed that up with another goal in Chelsea's 2–1 victory over Portsmouth.{{Cite news|date=16 December 2009|title=Chelsea 2-1 Portsmouth|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8412063.stm|access-date=28 June 2020}}

On 16 January 2010, on his return from injury, Anelka scored twice in an astonishing 7–2 victory over Sunderland.{{cite news|last=Lyon |first=Sam |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8454249.stm |title=Chelsea 7–2 Sunderland |work=BBC Sport|date=16 January 2010|access-date=3 May 2010}} He continued this fine form into the next match scoring in an FA Cup tie against Preston North End, bringing his tally in the previous four matches to five goals. After the return of Didier Drogba from the African Cup of Nations, Anelka had been playing on the wing to support him. Anelka scored his first goal since January in a 1–0 win over his former club Bolton in April 2010, putting Chelsea four points ahead of second-place Manchester United.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/13/chelsea-bolton-wanderers-premier-league|title=Nicolas Anelka strikes as Chelsea beat Bolton and extend lead at summit|work=The Guardian |location=London |date=13 April 2010 |access-date=21 October 2010 |first=Dominic |last=Fifield}} On the final day of the season, Anelka scored two goals against Wigan Athletic, including the first Chelsea goal in the sixth minute,[http://www.espnfc.com/uk/en/report/269758/report.html Chelsea break records to win title] ESPN Soccernet, 9 May 2010 to help Chelsea win their third Premier League title and their first in four years.[http://origin-www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~2047519,00.html Chelsea 8–0 Wigan Athletic] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525232837/http://origin-www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~2047519,00.html |date=25 May 2014 }} Premier League, 9 May 2010 Anelka (along with Ashley Cole) joined Henning Berg in the exclusive band of players who have won the Premier League title with two different clubs.{{Cite web|date=18 August 2019|title=Only 10 players have ever won the Premier League title with two clubs|url=https://www.givemesport.com/1498288-only-10-players-have-ever-won-the-premier-league-with-two-different-clubs|access-date=28 June 2020|website=GiveMeSport|language=en-GB}} On 24 June 2010, Chelsea announced Anelka had signed a new one-year extension to his existing contract that will keep him at the club until 2012.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/8759909.stm |work=BBC Sport | title=Anelka signs new Chelsea contract | date=24 June 2010}}

Anelka started the 2010–11 campaign in fine form for Chelsea. He assisted Florent Malouda's last goal against West Brom on the opening day of the Premier League season, scored a double in the next game against Wigan Athletic, then won a penalty against Stoke City in Chelsea's third game of the season. He continued this fine form in Chelsea's first Champions League match, scoring a first half brace against MŠK Žilina. Further goals against Marseille and Spartak Moscow ensured this was the first season since playing for Paris Saint-Germain he had scored at least four goals in a Champions League season. On 19 October, during Chelsea's Champions League group stage match against Spartak, Anelka continued his impressive goal scoring form in the Champions League, scoring the second goal of the match and his 50th goal for Chelsea in the 43rd minute of the game. He ended the 2010–11 season with 16 goals from 45 appearances in all competitions.

Anelka scored Chelsea's first goal of the 2011–12 season against West Brom in a 2–1 Premier League victory. This would prove to be Anelka's final goal for Chelsea, however, as he failed to find the net in 14 further appearances in 2011. On 3 December 2011, after Chelsea's 3–0 victory against Newcastle United, manager André Villas-Boas confirmed to the media that Anelka, along with centre-back Alex, had submitted transfer requests to the club and would be free to leave Chelsea in January.{{cite news|title=Nicolas Anelka and Alex submit Chelsea transfer requests|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16018866.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=3 December 2011|access-date=11 December 2011}} On 12 December, Chelsea confirmed Anelka would join Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua. Zhu Jun, owner of Shanghai Shenhua, confirmed his club had sealed a deal with Anelka in his Weibo on 12 December 2011.{{cite web | url =http://sports.sina.com.cn/j/2011-12-12/09045865086.shtml | script-title=zh:申花宣布签约阿内尔卡两年 朱骏微博晒合影表欢迎 | date = 12 December 2011 | access-date =12 December 2011 | publisher = sina | language = zh }} This deal was later officially announced by both clubs and was finalized the same day.{{cite web | url = http://www.shenhuafc.com.cn/news_detail.php?newsId=4099 | script-title = zh:转会快讯：法国前锋阿内尔卡冬季正式加盟上海申花 | date = 12 December 2011 | access-date = 12 December 2011 | publisher = Shenhuafc | language = zh | archive-date = 6 June 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130606133336/http://www.shenhuafc.com.cn/news_detail.php?newsId=4099 | url-status = dead }}{{cite web | url = http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2545042 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130701031314/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2545042 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 1 July 2013 | title = Anelka move agreed | date = 12 December 2011 | access-date = 24 May 2014 | publisher = chelseafc }}

In total, Anelka scored 59 goals for Chelsea in 184 appearances.{{cite web|url=http://m.goal.com/j/en-gb/news/7182/galleries/2016/01/15/19337842/torres-matic-chelseas-january-hits-and-misses/nicolas-anelka-chelsea/4|title=Torres, Matic & Chelsea's January hits and misses|website=Goal.com|access-date=30 July 2017|archive-date=30 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730151431/http://m.goal.com/j/en-gb/news/7182/galleries/2016/01/15/19337842/torres-matic-chelseas-january-hits-and-misses/nicolas-anelka-chelsea/4|url-status=dead}}

File:Drogba and Anelka.jpg and his former Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba at Shanghai Shenhua.]]

On 1 January 2012, Anelka moved to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, with his annual salary reported to be around €12 million.{{cite web|title=Que les gros salaires lèvent le doigt|url=http://fr.sports.yahoo.com/news/gros-salaires-l%C3%A8vent-doigt-211652706.html|access-date=19 July 2012|publisher=Eurosport|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719163503/http://fr.sports.yahoo.com/news/gros-salaires-l%C3%A8vent-doigt-211652706.html|archive-date=19 July 2012}} Following his move, Anelka revealed he turned down the chance to join his former club PSG the previous month in favour of signing for Shanghai Shenhua, and explained that his move was because he did not have attractive offers to remain within Europe.{{cite news|title=I Could Have Moved to Paris Saint-Germain: Former Chelsea Striker Nicolas Anelka On January Choice|url=http://www.insidefutbol.com/2012/02/06/i-could-have-moved-to-paris-saint-germain-former-chelsea-striker-nicolas-anelka-on-january-choice/57664/|publisher=Inside Futbol|date=6 February 2012|access-date=6 February 2012}} On 21 February 2012, he scored his debut goal in a pre-season friendly match against Hunan Billows, just 40 seconds after the start of the match. Anelka failed to make his Chinese Super League (CSL) debut due to ankle injury on the opening league match of the season against Jiangsu Sainty.{{cite news|title=Anelka fails to make Shanghai Shenhua debut due to ankle injury|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2012/03/10/2958956/anelka-fails-to-make-shanghai-shenhua-debut-due-to-ankle|work=Goal.com|date=10 March 2012|access-date=17 March 2012}} He eventually made his CSL debut and scored his first CSL goal on 16 March 2012, in a 3–2 away defeat against bitter rivals Beijing Guoan.{{cite news|title=Nicolas Anelka scores in Shanghai Shenhua debut|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2931/go-global/2012/03/16/2971850/nicolas-anelka-scores-in-shanghai-shenhua-debut|work=Goal.com|date=16 March 2012|access-date=17 March 2012}} On 11 April 2012, Anelka was named as part of the coaching staff to help struggling manager Jean Tigana.[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1048098/nicolas-anelka-added-to-shanghai-shenhua-coaching-staff?cc=5901 "Nicolas Anelka added to Shanghai Shenhua coaching staff"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414202015/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1048098/nicolas-anelka-added-to-shanghai-shenhua-coaching-staff?cc=5901 |date=14 April 2012 }}. ESPN FC. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2013.

On 19 June 2012, it was confirmed that Anelka's former Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba would join Shanghai Shenhua.{{Cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7829038/Drogba-confirms-Shanghai-move |title=Drogba confirms Shanghai move |work=Sky Sports |date=19 June 2012|access-date=23 June 2012}} On 7 June 2012, it was claimed Anelka was keen on a move back to the Premier League after he was involved in a heated exchange with a fan for refusing to bow in front of the travelling Shenhua fans with his teammates.[http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/904436-nicolas-anelka-seeks-premier-league-return-as-china-adventure-turns-sour "Nicolas Anelka seeks Premier League return as China adventure turns sour"]. Metro. 6 July 2012. Anelka provided two assists for Drogba and headed in a late equaliser to earn Shenhua a point in a 3–3 draw with Shandong Luneng Taishan on 25 August.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19385022 |title=African goalscorers in Europe & China August 25–26 |work=BBC Sport |date=27 August 2012}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/former-chelsea-strikers-didier-drogba-and-nicolas-anelka-could-be-sold-by-shanghai-shenhua-8083888.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220620/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/former-chelsea-strikers-didier-drogba-and-nicolas-anelka-could-be-sold-by-shanghai-shenhua-8083888.html |archive-date=20 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Independent |title=Former Chelsea strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka could be sold by Shanghai Shenhua |date=28 August 2012 |location=London}}

On 26 January 2013, Anelka joined Italian side Juventus on a five-month loan deal.{{Cite news|title=Anelka at Juventus for medical|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21218892|access-date=11 March 2021}} He made his debut for Juventus against Celtic in the Champions League.{{cite news|title=I 5 campioni d'Italia che non-ricordi [The 5 champions of Italy who you don't remember]|url=http://it.eurosport.yahoo.com/blog/top-flop/i-5-campioni-d-italia-non-ricordi-092459324.html|newspaper=Eurosport|date=6 May 2013}} Anelka made two further appearances for Juventus, both in Serie A, as the club won the league title.{{Cite web|title=Conte's Juventus retain title with ease ahead of Napoli - Serie A in 2012/13|url=https://www.footballcritic.com/season-reviews/contecs-juventus-retain-title-with-ease-ahead-of-napoli-serie-a-in-2012-13/97|access-date=28 June 2020|website=FootballCritic|language=en}}

On 4 July 2013, Anelka joined West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer after being released by Shanghai Shenhua, marking another return to the Premier League, the sixth Premier League club he has played for in his career.{{cite news|title=Albion seal Anelka deal|url=http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/albion-seal-anelka-deal-895870.aspx|newspaper=West Bromwich Albion F.C.|date=4 July 2013|access-date=4 July 2013|archive-date=28 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228081234/http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/albion-seal-anelka-deal-895870.aspx|url-status=dead}} He said he would like to end his career in England, at West Brom.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23197853|title=Nicolas Anelka: West Brom signing hopes to retire in England|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 March 2016}} On 22 August 2013, Anelka reportedly walked out of a training session telling staff he was leaving the club to retire. The reports were quickly denied by the club, which confirmed Anelka would miss one match and that he had left the session early on compassionate grounds following the death of his agent.{{cite news| url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8883141/premier-league-west-brom-rule-out-nicolas-anelka-amid-retirement-reports | title=Premier League: West Brom rule out Nicolas Anelka amid retirement reports | work=Sky Sports}} On 28 August 2013, it was announced that since completing his week of compassionate leave, Anelka had decided to remain with the club and would begin training the following day in preparation for West Brom's forthcoming match against Swansea City.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23872713|title=Nicolas Anelka: West Brom striker returning to club duty|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 March 2016}} He subsequently returned full-time to the team.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

Anelka scored his first goal for the club in a 3–3 draw with West Ham United on 28 December 2013, scoring a first-half brace in his first appearance in over two months. During his goal celebration he performed a quenelle, a hand gesture popularized by his comedian friend Dieudonné, described by some critics as an inverted Nazi salute. The Football Association (FA) and anti-racism organisations investigated the incident following allegations of anti-Semitism. On 27 February 2014, an FA disciplinary hearing banned Anelka for five matches, fined him £80,000 and ordered him to complete an educational course. In the hearing, the FA disciplinary hearing panel concluded, "[W]e did not find that Nicolas Anelka is an anti-Semite or that he intended to express or promote anti-Semitism by his use of the quenelle." Anelka and the FA both decided not to appeal this verdict.{{Cite news|date=13 March 2014|title=Nicolas Anelka and FA decide not to appeal over five-game ban|language=en-gb|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26570386|access-date=28 June 2020}} In the 2020 documentary Anelka: Misunderstood, Anelka said that the quenelle was only a protest at former West Brom manager Steve Clarke, who is not Jewish.

Anelka used social media to announce he was terminating his contract with West Brom.{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-03-14/nicolas-anelka-announces-he-has-left-west-brom/|title=Nicolas Anelka announces he has left West Brom|work=ITV News|access-date=26 March 2016}} West Brom responded that Anelka had given the club no official notification of his intention to leave, and later gave him 14 days notice of termination from the club for gross misconduct.{{cite web|url=http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/albion-update-on-anelka-contract-march-2014-1421762.aspx|title=Albion update on Anelka contract|access-date=26 March 2016|archive-date=19 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319065513/http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/albion-update-on-anelka-contract-march-2014-1421762.aspx|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26587077|title=West Brom sack Nicolas Anelka for 'gross misconduct'|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 March 2016}}

On 15 September 2014, Anelka joined Mumbai City of the newly formed Indian Super League.{{cite news|title=Nicolas Anelka joins Mumbai City|url=http://sports-nova.com/nicolas-anelka-join-mumbai-city-indian-super-league/|work=sports-nova.com|date=15 September 2014|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-date=10 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010145838/http://sports-nova.com/nicolas-anelka-join-mumbai-city-indian-super-league/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Nicolas Anelka joins Indian Super League side Mumbai City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29204019|access-date=15 September 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=15 September 2014}} Following a three-match global ban, he made his debut on 28 October 2014 in a 5–1 defeat at Chennaiyin FC.{{cite news|last1=Suchindran|first1=Aravind|title=Elano, Mendoza shine as Chennai trounce Mumbai 5–1|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/Elano-Mendoza-shine-as-Chennai-trounce-Mumbai-5-1/articleshow/44967343.cms|access-date=31 October 2014|work=The Times of India|date=28 October 2014}} Five days later, in his first home match at the DY Patil Stadium, Anelka scored the match's only goal to defeat Kerala Blasters.{{cite news|title=ISL: Anelka strike helps Mumbai edge past Kerala|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/ISL-Anelka-strike-helps-Mumbai-edge-past-Kerala/articleshow/45015212.cms|access-date=14 December 2014|work=The Times of India|date=2 November 2014}} On 5 November, he scored his only other goal of the season, for a home game of the same outcome against the Delhi Dynamos.{{cite news|last1=Netto|first1=Brendon|title=Mumbai City FC 1–0 Delhi Dynamos FC: Anelka again the difference as Mumbai record second consecutive win|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/mumbai-city-vs-delhi-dynamos/1931513/report|access-date=14 December 2014|work=Goal.com|date=5 November 2014}} Anelka played a total of seven matches for Mumbai, as they finished seventh and did not qualify for the end-of-season play-offs.{{Cite web|title=Indian Super League 2014 - 3. Round|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/ind-indian-super-league-2014-spieltag/3/|access-date=28 June 2020|website=worldfootball.net|language=en}}

In January 2015, Anelka had agreed a deal to join Algerian side NA Hussein Dey on an 18-month contract. However, the move was blocked by the Algerian Football Federation as, "Only those aged under 27 and playing on the international level for their countries are allowed to sign up with our clubs."{{cite web|title=Transfer news: Nicolas Anelka misses out on Algerian move due to his age|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/9642743/transfer-news-nicolas-anelka-misses-out-on-algerian-move-due-to-his-age|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=19 January 2015|date=12 January 2015}} Anelka subsequently returned to Mumbai and was named the team's player-manager on 3 July 2015.{{cite news|title=Nicolas Anelka named Mumbai City player-manager|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33381031|access-date=3 July 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=3 July 2015}}

File:NAnelka.jpg during a friendly match against Colombia in April 2008.]]

At youth level, Anelka played for the French under-20 team at the 1997 World Youth Championship, and made his senior team debut for France in a goalless draw with Sweden national team on 22 April 1998. Anelka was not selected for the 1998 FIFA World Cup-winning squad, but quickly became France's first choice centre forward during the UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying campaign, scoring the opening goal in France's 3–2 win over Russia on his first international start{{cite web | url = http://www.11v11.com/api/match/265847/teamID/2076/view/extended | title = France v Andorra | publisher = 11v11 | date = 14 October 1998}} and scoring both goals in a comfortable 2–0 win over England at Wembley Stadium in February 1999.{{cite web |url = http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/generalnews/nicolas-anelka-factfile-163972364.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100624051022/http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/generalnews/nicolas-anelka-factfile-163972364.html |archive-date = 24 June 2010 | title = Nicolas Anelka factfile | publisher = ITV Sport | date = 20 June 2010}} Anelka made his first appearance in a major tournament at Euro 2000, which France went on to win. He also formed part of the squad which won the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, where he scored his only tournament goal in a 5–0 win over hosts South Korea in the opening game.{{cite news |title=Five-star France outclass South Korea |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1357242.stm |access-date=23 February 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2001}} In November 2002, he rejected an emergency call-up by Jacques Santini to face Serbia and Montenegro and was barred by the manager; in February 2004 he eyed a return for the UEFA Euro 2004 squad as Djibril Cissé was suspended.{{cite news |title=Anelka eyes France return |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3465129.stm |access-date=23 February 2021 |publisher=BBC News |date=6 February 2004}}{{cite news |title=Anelka overlooked by France |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/25/newsstory.sport |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=25 March 2004}}

In November 2005, now under, Raymond Domenech, Anelka returned to the France squad for a friendly against Costa Rica in Martinique. The match in the homeland of Anelka's parents was the team's first in the French Caribbean.{{cite news |title=France - Costa Rica : match inédit en Martinique |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/sport/20051109.OBS4633/france-costa-rica-match-inedit-en-martinique.html |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=L'Obs |date=10 November 2005 |language=French}} He scored in the 3–2 win.{{cite news |title=France rallies to beat Costa Rica; Anelka scores |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-11/10/content_493393_2.htm |access-date=23 February 2021 |publisher=China Daily |date=10 November 2005}} When Cissé was forced out of 2006 World Cup due to injury, Lyon striker Sidney Govou was called up as Cissé's replacement rather than Anelka.{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2006/06/08/broken-leg-agony-for-djibril-154635/|title=Broken leg agony for Djibril|date=8 June 2006|work=Metro|publisher=DMG Media|access-date=17 August 2017}}

Anelka came on as a substitute in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Lithuania on 24 March 2007, and scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory. Following his performance, Anelka was praised by France manager Raymond Domenech: "It is the Nicolas I like to see... when he shows these qualities, he is a candidate for a permanent place."{{cite news | url = http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/2753 | title = Ronaldo rejoices | work = Daily Express | date = 26 March 2007 | access-date = 26 March 2007 | archive-date = 8 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121008140827/http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/2753 | url-status = dead }} He also scored in the 2–0 victory against Ukraine on 2 June 2007.{{Cite web|title=France v Ukraine, 02 June 2007|url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/france-v-ukraine-02-june-2007-274964/|access-date=28 June 2020|website=11v11.com}}

Anelka featured in the France squad for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.{{cite web | url = http://en.archive.uefa.com/news/kind=1/newsid=702209.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130105013518/http://en.archive.uefa.com/news/kind=1/newsid=702209.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 January 2013 | title = Final squads announced for EURO | publisher = UEFA Euro 2008 | date = 28 May 2008 }} Anelka started France's first group game against Romania, but was substituted after 72 minutes.{{cite web | url = http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/euro2012/history/season=2008/round=15093/match=300687/index.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120711180103/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/euro2012/history/season=2008/round=15093/match=300687/index.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 11 July 2012 | title = Canny Romania leave France frustrated | publisher = UEFA Euro 2008 | access-date = 18 June 2008 }} He did not start either of France's remaining two games in the tournament against the Netherlands and Italy, coming on as a substitute in both games.{{cite web | url = http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/euro2012/history/season=2008/round=15093/match=300694/index.html | title = Dominant Dutch progress in style | publisher = UEFA Euro 2008 | access-date = 18 June 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100524092036/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/euro2012/history/season=2008/round=15093/match=300694/index.html | archive-date = 24 May 2010 | df = dmy-all }}{{cite web | url = http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/euro2012/history/season=2008/round=15093/match=300703/index.html | title = France sunk as Italy grab lifeline | publisher = UEFA Euro 2008 | access-date = 18 June 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131116004203/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/euro2012/history/season=2008/round=15093/match=300703/index.html | archive-date = 16 November 2013 | df = dmy-all }}

Anelka played a key role in France's 2010 World Cup playoff against the Republic of Ireland. He scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute that put France in a good position with one away goal.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8360881.stm|title=Republic of Ireland 0–1 France|date=14 November 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=16 November 2009}}

During the 2010 World Cup, Anelka was sent home after reportedly abusing coach Raymond Domenech at half-time during the 2–0 defeat to Mexico.{{cite news|first=Phil|last=Dawkes|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_20/default.stm|title=France 0–2 Mexico|date=17 June 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 June 2010}} Following criticism of his positioning by Domenech, Anelka is reported to have said, "{{lang|fr|Va te faire enculer, sale fils de pute}},"{{cite web|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2010/06/19/anelka-une-petite-coupe-et-puis-s-en-va_1375735_3242.html|title=Anelka, une petite Coupe et puis s'en va|work=Le Monde|first=Vincent|last=Fagot|location=France|date=19 June 2010|access-date=21 June 2010}} meaning, "Go fuck yourself, you dirty son of a whore."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/19/france-worldcup2010|title=World Cup 2010: Nicolas Anelka sent home by France Football Federation (FFF)|work=The Guardian |location=London|date=19 June 2010|access-date=19 June 2010 }} The incident was later reported by the media, and the player refused to publicly apologise when asked to do so by French Football Federation (FFF) president Jean-Pierre Escalettes.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8749698.stm|title=Nicolas Anelka sent home after bust-up|date=19 June 2006|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 June 2010}} The next day, the squad refused to go to training in protest against Anelka's expulsion.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/06/20/france.players.strike.anelka.domenech/|title=French players in revolt after Anelka sent home|publisher=CNN|date=20 June 2010}} Anelka was subsequently given an 18-game suspension from international football by the FFF as punishment for his actions, effectively ending his international career. Anelka later claimed to be "dying with laughter" at the 18-match ban, as he had already decided to retire from international play.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8893705.stm|title=Nicolas Anelka given 18-match France suspension|date=17 August 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=17 August 2010}}

Anelka took L'Équipe to court for their front page, demanding €150,000 in compensation. He lost the case as he only denied the wording of the insult that was attributed to him, and not the fact that he made an insult.{{cite news |title=Anelka loses case over World Cup insult |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/news/anelka-loses-case-over-world-cup-insult |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=FourFourTwo |date=1 July 2011}} In a 2018 documentary, Domenech said that Anelka only insulted his management, not him as a person or his mother.{{cite news |title=Mondial-2010 : ce qu'a vraiment dit Nicolas Anelka à Raymond Domenech |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2018/06/05/2811615-mondial-2010-vraiment-dit-nicolas-anelka-raymond-domenech.html |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=La Depeche |date=5 June 2018 |language=French}}

After retiring as a player, Anelka joined the technical staff of Dutch Eredivisie side Roda JC in February 2017, claiming he wanted to help his friend and the club's shareholder Aleksey Korotaev.[http://nos.nl/artikel/2156414-anelka-dagelijks-aan-de-slag-met-jeugd-roda-jc.html Anelka dagelijks aan de slag met jeugd Roda JC] – NOS {{in lang|nl}} In November 2018, he joined Lille as a youth forwards coach.{{Cite web |title=Nicolas Anelka to take up a Lille youth coaching role |first=Corrina |last=Carr |publisher=Sky Sports |date=7 November 2018 |access-date=8 December 2018 |url= https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11813/11547317/nicolas-anelka-to-take-up-a-lille-youth-coaching-role}} On 3 February 2021 he became the sporting director of Hyères, under the new ownership of Mourad Boudjellal.{{cite web|url=https://hyeresfootballclub.footeo.com/actualite/2021/02/03/nicolas-anelka-nouveau-directeur-sportif-du-hyeres-fc.html|title=Nicolas Anelka Nouveau directeur sportif du Hyeres FC|publisher=Hyeres FC|language=fr|date=3 February 2021}} He departed three months later, on 4 May, with no first team game taking place during his tenure due to the COVID-19 pandemic in France.{{cite web|url=https://www.footamateur.fr/national-2-nicolas-anelka-quitte-deja-le-hyeres-fc/|title=National 2. Nicolas Anelka quitte (déjà) le Hyères FC|publisher=footamateur.fr|language=fr|date=4 May 2021}} On 25 January 2024, Anelka was appointed as president of TFF First League club Ümraniyespor.{{cite news|url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/articles-video/nicolas-anelka-set-to-be-ceo-of-turkish-club-2024-01-25|title=Nicolas Anelka Set To Be CEO of Turkish Club|website=beIN Sports|date=25 January 2024|access-date=25 January 2024}} Less than six months later, on 8 July, Anelka resigned from his position at the club.{{cite news|url=https://beinsports.com.tr/haber/nicolas-anelkadan-cok-sert-ayrilik-mesaji|title=Nicolas Anelka istifa etti!|trans-title=Nicolas Anelka resigns!|website=beIN Sports Turkey|language=Turkish|date=8 July 2024|access-date=4 September 2024}}

{{notelist}}

{{notelist}}

:Scores and results list France's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Anelka goal.

Arsenal

• Premier League: 1997–98{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/1135/Nicolas-Anelka/overview |title=Nicolas Anelka: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=15 April 2018}}
• FA Cup: 1997–98{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gunners-train-sights-on-european-glory-1158983.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220620/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gunners-train-sights-on-european-glory-1158983.html |archive-date=20 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Football: Gunners train sights on European glory |first=Glenn |last=Moore |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=18 May 1998 |access-date=8 March 2020}}
• FA Charity Shield: 1998{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/arsenal-show-no-charity-at-home-from-home-1.181732 |title=Arsenal show no charity at home from home |newspaper=The Irish Times |location=Dublin |date=10 August 1998 |access-date=8 March 2020}}

Real Madrid

• UEFA Champions League: 1999–2000{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/762837.stm |title=Real storm to Cup glory |website=BBC News |date=24 May 2000 |access-date=8 March 2020}}

Paris Saint-Germain

• UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2001{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/coaches/nicolas-anelka/4649/ |title=N. Anelka: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=15 April 2018}}

Fenerbahçe

• Süper Lig: 2004–05

Chelsea

• Premier League: 2009–10
• FA Cup: 2008–09,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8060989.stm |title=Chelsea 2–1 Everton |first=Chris |last=Bevan |website=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2009 |access-date=8 March 2020}} 2009–10{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8680493.stm |title=Chelsea 1–0 Portsmouth |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2010 |access-date=8 March 2020}}
• FA Community Shield: 2009{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8190061.stm |title=Chelsea 2–2 Man Utd |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2009 |access-date=8 March 2020}}
• Football League Cup runner-up: 2007–08{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7256729.stm |title=Tottenham 2–1 Chelsea |first=Jonathan |last=Stevenson |website=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2008 |access-date=8 March 2020}}
• UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2007–08{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7406252.stm |title=Man Utd earn dramatic Euro glory |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2008 |access-date=8 March 2020}}

Juventus

• Serie A: 2012–13

France U18

• UEFA European Under-18 Championship: 1997

France

• UEFA European Championship: 2000
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2001

Individual

• Division 1 Rookie of the Year: 1998{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/franpoy.html |title=France – Footballer of the Year |first1=Erik |last1=Garin |first2=José Luis |last2=Pierrend |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=18 January 2018 |access-date=15 April 2018}}
• Premier League Player of the Month: February 1999, November 2008
• PFA Young Player of the Year: 1998–99{{Cite web|title=English PFA Young Player Of The Year Award, History and Information|url=http://www.napit.co.uk/viewus/infobank/football/awards/pfayoung.php|access-date=28 June 2020|website=www.napit.co.uk}}
• PFA Team of the Year: 1998–99 Premier League,{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The 1999–2000 Official PFA Footballers Factfile |year=1999 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=Harpenden |isbn=978-1-85291-607-7 |page=352}} 2008–09 Premier League{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8019726.stm |title=Giggs earns prestigious PFA award |website=BBC Sport |date=26 April 2009 |access-date=8 March 2020}}
• Premier League Golden Boot: 2008–09

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{FFF player}}
• {{UEFA player}}
• {{FIFA player}}

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{{1998–99 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}

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