Mathieu Valbuena

Valbuena began his football career at hometown club ES Blanquefort. He developed an interest in the sport of football through his paternal heritage as he often attended matches at the Camp Nou in Barcelona during school holidays as a youth. At the age of nine, his football career was put on hold after he received over 50 stitches in one of his legs following a swimming accident. After the injury healed, Valbuena returned to football and quickly impressed club coaches. In 1998, he was given a Best Player award at a local youth tournament played at the Camp des Loges, the training center of professional club Paris Saint-Germain. In 2001, Valbuena was recruited by professional club FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

Valbuena spent two years playing on the club's under-18 team playing alongside the likes of Rio Mavuba and Marouane Chamakh. Valbuena appeared in only three matches with the reserve team before being released from the club after failing to impress Jean-Louis Garcia, the reserve team manager.{{cite news |url=http://www.stat2foot.com/bclubs/rbordeaux0203.htm |title=Bordeaux Reserve Pro 2002/2003 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Stat2Foot |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716132552/http://www.stat2foot.com/bclubs/rbordeaux0203.htm |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead}} It has been commonly stated that Valbuena was let go by the club due to his small size; however, former club player and trainer Philippe Lucas explained that Valbuena was let go because he struggled to "transform his game from that of a young player to that of a professional" and that "his game needed to be faster and he needed to avoid confrontations".{{cite news|url=http://www.mathieuvalbuena.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=15|title=How Mat is seen by his trainers ...|access-date=16 February 2011|work=Mathieu Valbuena Official Website|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623222738/http://www.mathieuvalbuena.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=15|archive-date=23 June 2009}}{{cite news|url=http://www.eurosport.fr/football/coupe-intertoto/2006/story_sto929605.shtml|title=Valbuena, le pari de l'OM|date=22 July 2006 |access-date=3 June 2010|work=Eurosport|language = fr}}

File:Mathieu Valbuena.JPG

After being let go by Bordeaux, Valbuena put his ambitions of becoming a professional player on hold, and was recommended by Garcia to play for amateur club Langan-Castets in the Championnat de France amateur 2, the fifth division of French football. Unlike at Bordeaux where he trained numerous times a week, Valbuena only trained three times a week with Langon-Castets and, due to the club's amateur status, worked as a sports shop salesman when he was not playing football. In his only season at the club, he impressed with his technical ability and was subsequently recruited by Championnat National club Libourne Saint-Seurin who had scouted the player eight times while he was at Langon-Castets.

While at Libourne Saint-Seurin, Valbuena's play went through an upgrade. In his first season at the club, he struggled for meaningful minutes under coach André Menot, playing in 20 league matches and scoring two goals.{{cite news |url=http://www.stat2foot.com/lclubs/libourne0405.htm |title=Football National Libourne Saison 2004/2005 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Stat2Foot |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716132531/http://www.stat2foot.com/lclubs/libourne0405.htm |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead}} Menot was fired mid-season and was replaced by Didier Tholot. The club ultimately finished the season in 13th place in the league. In the next season, manager Tholot took immediate notice of Valbuena. Tholot described Valbuena as "the architect of the team" and sought to build the team around him. As a result, Valbuena's playing time improved dramatically. He played in 31 league matches and scored nine goals, all of which came in victories.{{cite news|url=http://www.foot-national.com/587-joueur-football-Valbuena-Mathieu.html|title=Statistiques détaillées de Mathieu Valbuena |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Foot-National |language = fr}}{{cite news |url=http://www.stat2foot.com/lclubs/libourne0506.htm |title=Football National Libourne Saison 2005/2006 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Stat2Foot |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716132547/http://www.stat2foot.com/lclubs/libourne0506.htm |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead}} Valbuena earned rave reviews for his performances, but still suffered criticism on occasion due to "wanting to do everything" as stated by Tholot. On 12 August 2005, he scored his first goal of the season in a 2–0 win over Moulins.{{cite news |url=http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6098.html |title=Libourne v. Moulins Match Report |date=7 October 2005 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Foot-National |language=fr |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711015702/http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6098.html |url-status=dead }} Two weeks later, Valbuena scored a double in a 3–1 victory away to Cherbourg.{{cite news |url=http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6144.html |title=Cherbourg v. Libourne Match Report |date=20 August 2005 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Foot-National |language=fr |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711015630/http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6144.html |url-status=dead }} One low-point during the season came on 9 September 2005 in Libourne's 2–1 defeat to Gazélec Ajaccio when Valbuena received his first-ever red card.{{cite news |url=http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6206.html |title=Gazélec Ajaccio v. Libourne Match Report |date=9 September 2005 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Foot-National |language=fr |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711015711/http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6206.html |url-status=dead }} The loss was the team's first of the season and Valbuena was suspended for three matches.{{cite news |url=http://www.bari91.com/soccer_clubs/Libourne_Saint-Seurin/2005 |title=Libourne Saint-Seurin – 2005 results and stats |access-date=11 March 2011 |work=Bari '91 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707212507/http://www.bari91.com/soccer_clubs/Libourne_Saint-Seurin/2005 |archive-date=7 July 2011}} Valbuena returned to the team on 7 October in a 1–0 loss to Bayonne.{{cite news |url=http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6294.html |title=Bayonne v. Libourne Match Report |date=7 October 2005 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Foot-National |language=fr |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711015721/http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6294.html |url-status=dead }}

In November 2005, Valbuena returned to his early season form after scoring four goals over the course of three matches. He scored his first goal of the month on 5 November in a 2–1 win at home against Nîmes.{{cite news |url=http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6358.html |title=Libourne v. Nîmes Match Report |date=5 November 2005 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Foot-National |language=fr |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711015731/http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6358.html |url-status=dead }} Two weeks later, Valbuena scored against Angers in another win and, in the following week, scored both goals in a 2–0 win over Pau.{{cite news |url=http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6390.html |title=Libourne v. Angers Match Report |date=26 November 2005 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Foot-National |language=fr |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711015742/http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6390.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6406.html |title=Pau v. Libourne Match Report |date=2 December 2005 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Foot-National |language=fr |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711015641/http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6406.html |url-status=dead }} As a result of his performances, Valbuena was linked to several clubs in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, most notably Saint-Étienne and Auxerre, in December. The midfielder, however, denied the approaches stating his desire to help Libourne achieve promotion to the second division.{{cite news |url=http://www.foot-national.com/articles-721.html |title=Valbuena reste à Libourne |date=13 December 2005 |access-date=11 March 2011 |work=Foot-National |language=fr |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711020311/http://www.foot-national.com/articles-721.html |url-status=dead }} Valbuena went scoreless through the winter months, but remained a fixture in the starting eleven as the club remained in contention for promotion to Ligue 2.{{cite news |url=http://www.fclibourne.fr/club/historique |title=Historique du club |date=21 July 2010 |access-date=5 March 2011 |work=FC Libourne Saint-Seurin |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809071517/http://www.fclibourne.fr/club/historique |archive-date=9 August 2011}} On 29 April 2006, with Libourne in a battle for the final promotion spot, Valbuena scored another double, this time against Toulon in another shutout victory.{{cite news |url=http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6373.html |title=Libourne v. Toulon Match Report |date=29 April 2006 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Foot-National |language=fr |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711015653/http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-6373.html |url-status=dead }} Libourne went unbeaten in its final four matches, which resulted in the club finishing in third place, thus achieving promotion to Ligue 2 for the first time in its history since the local clubs of Libourne and Saint-Seurin agreed to merge in 1998. For his efforts that season, Valbuena was named the league's Player of the Year, which led to heightened interest from several professional clubs in Ligue 2 and Ligue 1.{{cite news |url=http://www.omplanete.com/news-4234/libourne-le-verdict-est-tombe.html |title=Libourne: le verdict est tombé |date=3 May 2008 |access-date=5 March 2011 |work=OM Planete |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909032254/http://www.omplanete.com/news-4234/libourne-le-verdict-est-tombe.html |archive-date=9 September 2012}}{{cite news |url=http://www.om.net/fr/Saison/101002/Actualites/29782/Mathieu_Valbuena_et_son_parcours |title=Mathieu Valbuena et son parcours |date=25 December 2006 |access-date=5 March 2011 |work=Olympique de Marseille |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714164648/http://www.om.net/fr/saison/101002/actualites/29782/mathieu_valbuena_et_son_parcours |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}

File:Valbuena.jpg

On 9 June 2006, Valbuena signed his first professional contract after agreeing to a transfer to Olympique de Marseille. He signed a three-year deal with the club and was assigned the number 28 shirt by manager Eric Gerets.{{cite news |url=http://www.football365.fr/article_120597_Marseille-Valbuena-signe-trois-ans.shtml |title=Marseille : Valbuena signe trois ans |date=9 June 2006 |access-date=5 March 2011 |work=Football365 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720215928/http://www.football365.fr/article_120597_Marseille-Valbuena-signe-trois-ans.shtml |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status=dead }} Valbuena made his professional debut for the club on 15 July 2006 in the team's third round match against Ukrainian club Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the 2006 UEFA Intertoto Cup.{{cite news|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/clubs/player=105575/profile/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305084342/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/clubs/player=105575/profile/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 March 2010|title=Mathieu Valbuena |access-date=5 March 2011 |work=Football365 |publisher= Union of European Football Associations}} He subsequently struggled to meet the demands of training and suffered an ankle injury in the pre-season period, which resulted in the player missing the start of the 2006–07 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.om.net/fr/Saison/101002/Actualites/25744/Cheville_cassee_pour_Mathieu_Valbuena |title=Cheville cassée pour Valbuena |date=5 August 2006 |access-date=5 March 2011 |work=Olympique de Marseille |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909051851/http://www.om.net/fr/Saison/101002/Actualites/25744/Cheville_cassee_pour_Mathieu_Valbuena |archive-date=9 September 2011 |url-status=dead }} Valbuena made his league debut on 19 November 2006 in a league match against Valenciennes appearing as a substitute in the team's 1–0 victory.{{cite news|url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50647|title=Marseille v. Valenciennes Match Report |date=19 November 2006 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Ligue de Football Professionnel |language = fr}} He appeared as a substitute for the majority of the season and even spent some time playing on the club's reserve team in the fifth division.{{cite news |url=http://www.football365.fr/france/infos-clubs/marseille/article_188206_-Nasri-est-un-peu-mon-modele-.shtml |title=Mathieu Valbuena: "Nasri est un peu mon modèle" |date=23 August 2007 |access-date=5 March 2011 |work=Football365 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720215939/http://www.football365.fr/france/infos-clubs/marseille/article_188206_-Nasri-est-un-peu-mon-modele-.shtml |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status=dead }} On 19 May 2007, Valbuena scored his first professional goal in a 2–1 victory over Saint-Étienne. The game-winning goal allowed the club to maintain control of second place, which merited Marseille a spot in the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2003–04 season.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/news/2007/May/19/marseille-seal-second-spot-in-french-league/|title=Marseille seal second spot in French league |date=19 May 2007 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Soccerway }}

Following the departure of Franck Ribéry to German club Bayern Munich ahead of the 2007–08 season, Valbuena was inserted as his replacement. It is during this season the midfielder acquired the nickname le petit vélo (the small bike), which is a play on Valbuena's size and his parent club's stadium, the Stade Vélodrome. Valbuena started the season off healthy under Gerets and featured primarily as a substitute, but by late August 2007, had become a starter forming partnerships in the midfield with Samir Nasri, Lorik Cana, and Benoît Cheyrou. Valbuena made his UEFA Champions League debut on 18 September 2007 against Turkish club Beşiktaş appearing as a substitute in a 2–0 win.{{cite news |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/season=2008/round=15105/match=301167/report=ev.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710032921/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/season=2008/round=15105/match=301167/report=ev.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 July 2012 |title=Marseille leave it late for victory |date=18 September 2007 |access-date=16 February 2011 |publisher=UEFA }} In the team's next group stage match against English club Liverpool at Anfield, Valbuena scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory.{{cite news|url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/season=2008/round=15105/match=301175/report=rp.html |title=Gerets enjoys dream start at Anfield |date=3 October 2007 |access-date=16 February 2011 |publisher=UEFA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116140030/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/season%3D2008/round%3D15105/match%3D301175/report%3Drp.html |archive-date=16 January 2016 }} The victory over Liverpool was the first time a French club had ever won at Anfield.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=13356|title=Liverpool on the ropes as Marseille storm fortress Anfield |date=4 October 2007 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=The Financial Express}} Later that month, Valbuena signed a contract extension with Marseille, committing himself to the club until June 2012.{{cite news|url=http://www.om.net/fr/Saison/101005/Actualites/¶m=32768&p=5|title=Mathieu Valbuena prolonge jusqu'en 2012|date=23 October 2007|access-date=3 June 2010|work=Olympique de Marseille|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909045208/http://www.om.net/fr/Saison/101005/Actualites/%26param%3D32768%26p%3D5|archive-date=9 September 2011}}

File:Mathieu Valbuena.jpg

In the league, Valbuena appeared in 29 matches and scored three goals. The first two goals came in the club's 6–1 win over Caen on 26 January 2008.{{cite news|url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/51478|title=Marseille v. Caen |date=26 January 2008 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Ligue de Football Professionnel |language = fr }} The first goal Valbuena scored in the match was voted the Goal of the Year by the Ligue de Football Professionnel and was scored from almost {{convert|40|m|yd}} out.{{cite news|url=http://www.linternaute.com/sport/foot/portrait/ces-footballeurs-qui-ont-perce-tard/mathieu-valbuena.shtml|title=Mathieu Valbuena – Ces footballeurs qui ont percé tard |access-date=28 November 2008 |work=Linternaute |language = fr}} On 9 March, Valbuena, for the second straight season, scored the game-winning goal in a win over Saint-Étienne.{{cite news|url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/51520|title=Marseille v. Saint-Étienne Match Report |date=9 March 2008 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Ligue de Football Professionnel |language = fr}} Due to his promising performances, Marseille awarded him another contract extension in April 2008, which added an extra year to his contract.{{cite news|url=http://www.laprovence.com/article/taiwo-et-valbuena-prolongent|title=Taiwo et Valbuena prolongent...|date=19 April 2008 |access-date=5 March 2011|work=La Provence|language = fr}}

In the 2008–09 season, Valbuena became a regular starter and appeared in 31 league matches. He scored three goals; two in victories over Auxerre and Le Havre and one in a loss to Paris Saint-Germain.{{cite news|url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/52392|title=Auxerre v. Marseille |date=10 January 2009 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Ligue de Football Professionnel |language = fr}}{{cite news|url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/52403|title=Marseille v. Le Havre |date=17 January 2009 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Ligue de Football Professionnel |language = fr}}{{cite news|url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/52536|title=Marseille v. Paris Saint-Germain |date=26 October 2008 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Ligue de Football Professionnel |language = fr}} After the season, Gerets, an admirer of Valbuena, was let go and Didier Deschamps was named as his replacement. In June 2009, Deschamps declared that Valbuena was not in his tactical plans and sought to place the midfielder on the transfer market.{{cite news|url=http://www.dhnet.be/sports/football/article/266224/didier-deschamps-ne-veut-pas-de-valbuena.html|title=Didier Deschamps ne veut pas de Valbuena|date=5 June 2009 |access-date=16 February 2011|work=DH.be |language = fr}} Club president Pape Diouf and several members of the board disagreed with Deschamps sentiments stating that Valbuena was "un-transferable".{{cite news|url=http://www.les-transferts.com/ligue-1/lagent-de-valbuena-allume-deschamps.html|title=L'agent de Valbuena allume Deschamps|access-date=5 March 2011|work=Les Transferts |language = fr}} The indecision over Valbuena's future resulted in the player being linked to English clubs Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Liverpool.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} Valbuena's future was ultimately settled following the closure of the transfer window when he was not sold. As a result, he was relegated to the bench for the first half of the season under Deschamps and the tumultuous relationship reached its zenith in December when the two had a face-to-face meeting, which resulted in Valbuena declaring he wanted to leave the club in the January 2010 transfer window to find regular football.{{cite news |url=http://www.maxifoot.fr/football-rss115557/om-deschamps.php | title = Deschamps tacle l'entourage de Valbuena |date= 6 May 2010 | access-date = 16 February 2011 | publisher = Maxifoot | language = fr}}{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5818890,00.html | title = Valbuena eyes Marseille exit |date= 1 January 2010 | access-date = 16 February 2011 | publisher = Sky Sports }}

On 17 October, Valbuena scored his first goal in his first league start of the season away to Nancy.{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/44718 | title = Nancy v. Marseille Match Report |date= 17 October 2010 | access-date = 16 February 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}} In February 2010, Valbuena returned to the starting lineup and remained a starter for the rest of the season. He was an important part of the team that won the league and league cup double. In the Coupe de la Ligue, Valbuena scored the game-winning goal in the semi-finals against Lille.{{cite news | url = http://www.lfp.fr/coupeLigue/feuille_match/53536 | title = Marseille v. Lille Match Report | date = 27 January 2010 | access-date = 16 February 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr | archive-date = 7 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121007054911/http://www.lfp.fr/coupeLigue/feuille_match/53536 | url-status = dead }} In the final, he scored the second goal in a 3–1 victory over his former club Bordeaux.{{cite news | url = http://www.lfp.fr/coupeLigue/feuille_match/53520 | title = Marseille v. Bordeaux Match Report | date = 27 March 2010 | access-date = 16 February 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121004180818/http://www.lfp.fr/coupeLigue/feuille_match/53520 | archive-date = 4 October 2012 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }} The Coupe de la Ligue title was Marseille's first major honour since winning the UEFA Champions League in 1993. In April 2010, Valbuena scored goals in three straight matches, all wins, against Nice, Boulogne-sur-Mer, and Saint-Étienne.{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/44919 | title = Marseille v. Nice Match Report |date= 12 April 2010 | access-date = 16 February 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}}{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/44927 | title = Boulogne v. Marseille Match Report |date= 17 April 2010 | access-date = 16 February 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}}{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/44939 | title = Marseille v. Saint-Étienne Match Report |date= 25 April 2010 | access-date = 16 February 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}} The victories helped Marseille maintain its first-place position and Valbuena was praised by Deschamps. Marseille ultimately won the league after defeating Rennes on 5 May 2010.{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=782213&cc=5901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628225409/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=782213&cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 June 2011 | title = Marseille clinch title after Rennes victory |date= 5 May 2010 | access-date = 16 August 2010 | publisher = ESPN }}{{cite news | url = http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/44958 | title = Marseille v. Rennes Match Report | date = 5 May 2010 | access-date = 5 March 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120521184632/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/44958 | archive-date = 21 May 2012 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}

File:Mathieu Valbuena 5456b.jpg

In the 2010–11 season, Valbuena was inserted as a starter by Deschamps for the start of the campaign despite the arrivals of wingers Loïc Rémy and André Ayew. Valbuena was also hampered by the constant media inquiries about what happened at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, on which he has refused to comment, stating "I was a neophyte in the France team, I will not allow myself to discuss the events" and that he was "trying to forget" the incident.{{cite news | url = http://www.football365.fr/france/equipe-de-france/article_435855_Bleus-Valbuena-n-a-rien-a-dire.shtml | title = Valbuena n'a rien à dire | date = 20 July 2010 | access-date = 16 February 2011 | publisher = Football365 | language = fr | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720215630/http://www.football365.fr/france/equipe-de-france/article_435855_Bleus-Valbuena-n-a-rien-a-dire.shtml | archive-date = 20 July 2011 | url-status = dead }} Valbuena scored his first goal of the season on 12 September 2010 in a 2–2 draw with Monaco.{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53677 | title = Marseille v. Monaco Match Report |date= 12 September 2010 | access-date = 16 February 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}} On 23 November, he scored the opening goal in the team's 3–0 win over Russian club FC Spartak Moscow in the Champions League. The victory resulted in Marseille qualifying for the knockout portion of the competition for the first time since 2000.{{ cite web | publisher=UEFA | date= 23 November 2010 | url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2002891--spartak-moskva-vs-marseille/ | title= Majestic Marseille qualify for last 16 | access-date=11 February 2011}} Four days later, Valbuena scored the third goal in the team's 4–0 win over Montpellier.{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53771 | title = Marseille v. Montpellier Match Report |date= 27 November 2010 | access-date = 16 February 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}} On 22 January, Valbuena suffered a medial ligament sprain in his left knee as a result of a tackle from Ayew during a training session.{{cite news | url = http://ghanasoccernet.com/2011/01/andre-ayew-sorry-after-injuring-valbuena-in-training/ | title = Andre Ayew sorry after injuring Valbuena in training | date = 27 January 2011 | access-date = 16 February 2011 | publisher = GhanaSoccerNet | language = fr | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110303170854/http://www.ghanasoccernet.com/2011/01/andre-ayew-sorry-after-injuring-valbuena-in-training | archive-date = 3 March 2011 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }} He was, initially, ruled out for up to six weeks, but returned to training ahead of the team's Champions League match against English club Manchester United on 22 February.{{cite news |url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/22022011/58/champions-league-valbuena-boost-marseille.html | title = Champions League – Valbuena boost for Marseille |date= 22 February 2011| access-date = 5 March 2011 | publisher = Eurosport | language = fr}} Valbuena made his return to the team in the second leg at Old Trafford appearing as a second-half substitute. Marseille were defeated 2–1 away, which resulted in the club losing on aggregate by the same scoreline.

After appearing as a substitute in two consecutive league matches after returning from injury, Valbuena made his first start in a 2–1 win over Le Classique rivals Paris Saint-Germain.{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53929 | title = Marseille v. Paris Saint-Germain Match Report |date= 20 March 2011 | access-date = 24 December 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}} On 23 April 2011, he made his second consecutive start in the final of the Coupe de la Ligue. Marseille won the match defeating Montpellier 1–0 to claim its second straight league cup title.{{cite news | url = http://www.lfp.fr/coupeLigue/feuille_match/73933 | title = Marseille v. Montpellier Match Report | date = 23 April 2011 | access-date = 24 December 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr | archive-date = 9 February 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120209100333/http://www.lfp.fr/coupeLigue/feuille_match/73933 | url-status = dead }} On 1 May, Valbuena scored the team's lone goal in its 1–1 draw with Auxerre.{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53973 | title = Marseille v. Auxerre Match Report |date= 1 May 2011 | access-date = 24 December 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}} He finished the campaign by appearing in the team's final five matches as Marseille finished runner-up to Lille in the league.

Valbuena got off to a quick start in the team's 2011–12 campaign. He opened the campaign by assisting on a Loïc Rémy goal in the opening match of the season against Sochaux.{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/74374 | title = Marseille v. Sochaux Match Report |date= 6 August 2011 | access-date = 24 December 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}} The following week, he assisted on both goals in a 2–2 draw with Auxerre.{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/74379 | title = Auxerre v. Marseille Match Report |date= 14 August 2011 | access-date = 24 December 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}} On 28 August, Valbuena scored both of Marseille's goal in a 3–2 defeat away to Lille.{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/74401 | title = Lille v. Marseille Match Report |date= 28 August 2011 | access-date = 24 December 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}} The following month, he manufactured another statistical output after assisting on both of Rémy's goals in a 2–0 win over Evian.{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/74434 | title = Marseille v. Evian Match Report |date= 21 September 2011 | access-date = 24 December 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}} In the club's Champions League campaign, Valbuena failed to chart statistically in the team's first five group stage matches. On 6 December, in the team's final group stage match against German club Borussia Dortmund, Valbuena scored the match-winning goal after appearing as a substitute 14 minutes prior. The goal, described by UEFA as "an unstoppable shot", allowed Marseille progression to the UEFA Champions League knockout phase.{{Cite web| publisher=UEFA | date= 6 December 2011 | url= https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2007652--b-dortmund-vs-marseille/ | title= Dramatic comeback secures Marseille's passage | access-date= 24 December 2011}} In the team's final two December league matches prior to the winter break against Lorient and Nancy, Valbuena scored a goal and assisted on another in each match; Marseille won both matches.{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/74545 | title = Marseille v. Lorient Match Report |date= 17 December 2011 | access-date = 24 December 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}}{{cite news |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/74553 | title = Nancy v. Marseille Match Report |date= 21 December 2011 | access-date = 24 December 2011 | publisher = Ligue de Football Professionnel | language = fr}} He finished the fall season with nine assists, a tally that currently leads the league.

Following his departure to Dynamo Moscow, Olympique de Marseille honoured Valbuena by retiring his number 28 shirt on 5 August 2014.{{cite news|last1=Cutler|first1=Teddy|title=Marseille retire Mathieu Valbuena's number|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/marseille-retire-mathieu-valbuenas-number-9649254.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/marseille-retire-mathieu-valbuenas-number-9649254.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=5 August 2014|newspaper=The Independent|date=5 August 2014}}

On 2 August 2014, Valbuena signed a three-year contract with Dynamo Moscow in a reported £6 million transfer.{{cite news|title=Mathieu Valbuena: Dynamo Moscow sign France midfielder|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28626433|access-date=3 August 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 August 2014}} In his second game for Dynamo and first as a starter on 13 August 2014 against FC Ufa, he assisted on both of his team's goals in a 2-0 victory. In his next game against FC Arsenal Tula on 17 August 2014, he again assisted on both goals in Dynamo's 2-1 victory. On 28 August 2014, Dynamo defeated AC Omonia in the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League play-off round, through a decisive goal by Christopher Samba in the 93rd minute of the return leg following a free kick performed by Valbuena, and qualified for the first time for the group stage of a European competition (since the group stage was introduced).{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2015131--dynamo-moscow-vs-omonoia/ |title=Dinamo Moskva 2-2 Omonia |work=UEFA |date=28 August 2014 |access-date=28 September 2014 }} On 31 August 2014, he scored his first goal for Dynamo in a 2-0 victory over FC Krasnodar. On 16 September 2014, he had to undergo an emergency appendectomy.{{cite web|publisher=Чемпионат.com|url=http://www.championat.com/football/news-1928662-valbujena-vyrezali-appendicit.html|script-title=ru:Вальбуэна вырезали аппендицит|date=16 September 2014|language=ru}} He returned to playing on 2 October 2014 in a Europa League group game against PSV Eindhoven, in which Yuri Zhirkov scored a winning goal deep into injury time after a corner delivered by Valbuena.

On 11 August 2015, Valbuena returned to Ligue 1, signing a three-year contract with former club Marseille's rivals Lyon for a reported fee of €5 million.{{cite web|title=Mathieu Valbuena set to join Lyon from Dinamo Moscow|url=http://www.espnfc.us/soccer-transfers/story/2557899/mathieu-valbuena-set-to-join-lyon-from-dinamo-moscow|publisher=ESPN FC|access-date=13 August 2015|date=11 August 2015}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mathieu-valbuena-debarque-a-lyon/580908|title = Mathieu Valbuena débarque à Lyon}}

On 13 June 2017, Valbuena was signed by Fenerbahçe for a €1.5 million transfer fee (plus €1 million bonus) for three seasons.{{cite web|url=https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-48998-olg-130617-cession-valbuena-gb.pdf|title=TRANSFER OF MATHIEU VALBUENA TO FENERBAHCE|date=13 June 2017|access-date=15 June 2017|publisher=Olympique Lyonnais Group}}{{cite news|last1=Holyman|first1=Ian|title=Mathieu Valbuena completes move from Lyon to Fenerbahce|url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/3142767/mathieu-valbuena-completes-move-from-lyon-to-fenerbahce|access-date=11 July 2017|work=ESPN FC|date=13 June 2017}}

On 27 May 2019, Valbuena signed a one-year contract with Greek Super League club Olympiacos.{{cite news|url=https://www.besoccer.com/new/olympiakos-sign-french-veteran-valbuena-642269|title=Olympiakos sign French veteran Valbuena|website=Besoccer.com|date= 27 May 2019|access-date=2 December 2019}} His first goal for the club, a penalty in a 2–0 win over Başakşehir, helped Olympiacos progress to the UEFA Champions League play-offs.{{cite news|url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/Olympiakos/olympiakos-mpasaksexir-2-0-tipota-den-ton-stamata.5577030.html|title=Ολυμπιακός–Μπασακσεχίρ 2–0: Τίποτα δεν τον σταματά|language=el|first=Dimitris|last=Samolis|website=sport24.gr|date=13 August 2019|access-date=2 December 2019}} His penalty was the only goal of their second match of the 2019–20 Super League, away to AEL.{{cite news|url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/football/superleague/article/1390265/ael-olympiakos-0-1|title=ΑΕΛ–Ολυμπιακός 0–1|language=el|website=gazetta.gr|date=1 September 2019|access-date=2 December 2019}} After Olympiacos went two goals down at home to Tottenham Hotspur in their first match of the Champions League group stage, Daniel Podence scored just before half-time with Valbuena's assistance and soon after the break, Jan Vertonghen fouled Valbuena for a penalty which he himself converted to complete the comeback.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/sep/18/olympiakos-tottenham-hotspur-champions-league-match-report|title=Mathieu Valbuena penalty crowns Olympiakos recovery to deny Spurs|first=David|last=Hytner|newspaper=The Guardian|date=18 September 2019|access-date=19 September 2019}}

On 6 March 2020, Valbuena has extended his contract with Olympiacos until the summer of 2021.{{cite news|url=https://www.agonasport.com/agonasport-allnews/valbuena-extends-olympiacos-contract-until-2021|title=VALBUENA EXTENDS OLYMPIACOS CONTRACT UNTIL 2021|website=agonasport.com|date=6 March 2020|access-date=6 March 2020}} On 23 September 2020, Mathieu Valbuena's penalty gave the Greek champions a 2-0 home 2020–21 UEFA Champions League play-offs 1st leg win against Omonia.{{cite news|url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/Olympiakos/olympiakos-omonoia-2-0-koynaei-sentoni-me-valmpoyena-el-arampi.5755838.html|title=Ολυμπιακός - Ομόνοια 2-0: Κουνάει σεντόνι με Βαλμπουενά, Ελ Αραμπί|website=sport24.gr|date=23 September 2020|access-date=23 September 2020|language=el}} On 29 March 2021, as he reached the end of his contract at the end of the season, Valbuena reached an agreement to extend his contract with Olympiakos for another year for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news|url=https://www.archyde.com/mathieu-valbuena-extends-to-olympiakos/|title=Mathieu Valbuena extends to Olympiakos|website=archyde.com|date=29 March 2021 }} On 28 November 2021, Valbuena scored his first goal for the season, with an excellent foul outside the area in the 90th minute, sealing a vital 2-1 home win game against Volos F.C. in its club effort to win the championship. He was voted MVP of the game.{{cite news|url=https://www.gazzetta.gr/football/superleague/2065603/olympiakos-bolos-2-1|title=Oλυμπιακός - Βόλος 2-1|website=gazzetta.gr|date=28 November 2021|language=el}} On 2 March 2022, he came as a substitute in the beginning of the second half, playing a catalytic role in a final 5-1 home win game against Asteras Tripolis He was voted MVP of the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.sport-fm.gr/article/podosfairo/superleague1/olumpiakos-asteras-tripolis-5-1/4261637|title=Ολυμπιακός… πέντε αστέρων!|website=sport-fm.gr|date=2 March 2022|language=el}}

On 23 July 2023, Valbuena signed a one-year contract with Cypriot First Division club Apollon Limassol.

On 5 August 2024, Valbuena joined Athens Kallithea FC.{{cite news|url=https://akfc66.gr/men/news/mathieu-valbuena-joins-athens-kallithea-fc|title=Mathieu Valbuena joins Athens Kallithea FC|publisher=Athens Kallithea FC|access-date=2024-08-05}}

File:Mathieu Valbuena - France v Armenia.jpg

Valbuena did not receive any call-ups to any of the France national youth football teams. However, following his impressive performances with Marseille, he was awarded a call up to the senior team by coach Raymond Domenech for the team's matches against England and Mali in March 2008.{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=717306.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323235028/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=717306.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 March 2008|title=France call up four new caps|date=20 March 2008 |access-date=3 June 2010|work=Fédération Internationale de Football Association}} However, he picked up an injury and was forced to miss out.{{cite news|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/seas2000-10/2007-08/M0862Fra2008PreFra.html|title=France 1 England 0 [1–0]|date=26 March 2008|access-date=5 March 2011|work=England Football Online}}

Valbuena's next call-up was over two years later in May 2010, when he was named to the 30-man preliminary list by Domenech to play in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Valbuena's call up was considered surprising by the media and the player himself, despite Valbuena playing well with his parent club who won the league and league cup double in the 2009–10 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.chronofoot.com/mathieu-valbuena/liste-des-30-mathieu-valbuena-en-a-pleure_art3023.html|title=Liste des 30: Mathieu Valbuena en a pleuré|date=12 May 2010|access-date=5 March 2011|work=Chronofoot|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317030440/http://www.chronofoot.com/mathieu-valbuena/liste-des-30-mathieu-valbuena-en-a-pleure_art3023.html|archive-date=17 March 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/fr/20100517-footbal-mondial-domenech-retient-valbuena-planus-carrasso-mais-pas-ben-arfa|title=Domenech dévoile la liste des Bleus avec Valbuena mais sans Ben Arfa |date = 17 May 2010 |access-date=5 March 2011|work=France 24 | language = fr}} Many journalists in the French media compared Valbuena's call-up to the team with Franck Ribéry's call-up four years previously, as the two players share similarities in playing style and their circumstances at the time of their respective call-ups.{{cite news|url=http://www.football365.fr/france/equipe-de-france/article_420300_Ribery-Valbuena-meme-combat.shtml|title=Ribéry-Valbuena, même combat|date=28 May 2010|access-date=11 March 2011|work=Football365|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720215951/http://www.football365.fr/france/equipe-de-france/article_420300_Ribery-Valbuena-meme-combat.shtml|archive-date=20 July 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.foot01.com/equipe-de-france/valbuena-le-ribery-des-bleus-2010,53310|title=Valbuena, le Ribéry des Bleus 2010?|date=18 May 2010|access-date=11 March 2011|work=Foot01|language=fr}} Valbuena was later named to the 23-man team to compete in the competition.{{cite news|url=http://www.fff.fr/bleus/actu/533436.shtml|title=Les numéros des 23 Bleus|date=24 May 2010|access-date=25 May 2010|work=French Football Federation|language=fr|archive-date=4 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004153919/http://www.fff.fr/bleus/actu/533436.shtml|url-status=dead}} He made his national team debut on 26 May 2010 in a friendly match against Costa Rica appearing as a substitute in the second half. After 16 minutes on the field, Valbuena scored the game-winning goal in the team's 2–1 victory.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-05-26-104989725_x.htm|title=France beats Costa Rica 2–1 in friendly|date=26 May 2010 |access-date=5 March 2011|work=USA Today}} At the World Cup, Valbuena made his debut in the competition in the team's 2–0 loss to Mexico appearing as a substitute on 17 June.{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/matches/round=249722/match=300061451/report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727050733/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/matches/round=249722/match=300061451/report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 July 2011|title=France – Mexico |date = 17 June 2010 |access-date=5 March 2011|work=Fédération Internationale de Football Association}} It was his only appearance in the competition. During the competition, the players went on strike in protest over the expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka from the team, which resulted in all 23 players on the team being suspended for its friendly match in August 2010.{{cite news |title=French football in chaos after players' mutiny |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jJUAsTmR7HSPud4_PSwWxUvvRcwQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625053451/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jJUAsTmR7HSPud4_PSwWxUvvRcwQ |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 June 2010 |work=Agence France Press|date=20 June 2010 |access-date=21 June 2010 }}{{cite news |title=Brazil advances, Italy held to another WCup draw |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gcsf1SvkjHh5TP4yYWGuVIkogLSgD9GFGVU80 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625142532/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gcsf1SvkjHh5TP4yYWGuVIkogLSgD9GFGVU80 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 June 2010 |agency=Associated Press |date=20 June 2010 |access-date=21 June 2010 }}{{cite news |title=Communiqué de la FFF |url=http://fff.fr/bleus/actu/533838.shtml |work=French Football Federation |publisher=France Football Federation |date=20 June 2010 |access-date=21 June 2010 |archive-date=21 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821235530/http://www.fff.fr/bleus/actu/533838.shtml |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8849972.stm |title = France World Cup squad suspended for Norway friendly |work=BBC Sport |date=23 July 2010 |access-date=24 July 2010}}

After missing the match against Norway due to new manager Laurent Blanc's imposed suspension, Valbuena made his return to the team in a 1–0 defeat to Belarus in UEFA Euro 2012 qualification.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-09-03-2062033538_x.htm|title=Belarus beats France 1–0 away in Euro qualifier|date=3 September 2010|work=USA Today|access-date=5 March 2011}} The midfielder subsequently appeared in every match under Blanc in 2010, excluding the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in September 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.fff.fr/individus/selections/visu_fiche.php?in_no=896&id_cat=1|title=VALBUENA Mathieu|publisher=Fédération Française de Football|access-date=13 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729224410/http://www.fff.fr/individus/selections/visu_fiche.php?in_no=896&id_cat=1|archive-date=29 July 2010}} Valbuena capped his return to the national team by scoring against England in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on 17 November 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/17/england-france-international-friendly|title=Fabio Capello's experimental England brushed aside by resurgent France|date=17 November 2010|work=Guardian Media Group|access-date=23 November 2010}}

Valbuena was included in France's UEFA Euro 2012 squad but did not make an appearance during the competition. Under new coach Didier Deschamps, Valbuena played in all ten of the team's matches during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, scoring once against Georgia.{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=297106/played-matches.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618200805/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=297106/played-matches.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 June 2014|title=Mathieu VALBUENA|access-date=21 June 2014|work=FIFA}}

On 13 May 2014, Valbuena was named in France's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.{{cite news|title=World Cup 2014: Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy not in France squad|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27401306|access-date=14 May 2014|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=13 May 2014}} He was named in the starting line-up for the team's opening match against Honduras, making his tournament debut.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285092|title=France 3-0 Honduras|date=15 June 2014|access-date=16 June 2014|work=BBC}} In the second group fixture, he scored in a 5–2 defeat of Switzerland to help Les Bleus qualify for the knockout stage.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285207|title=Switzerland 2-5 France|date=20 June 2014|access-date=21 June 2014|work=BBC}}

Image:Zen-OL16 (4).jpg

Valbuena is described by his former coach at Libourne Saint-Seurin Didier Tholot as "an explosive player who is capable of quickly taking two opponents out of the game to create space, above all due to his dribbling skills." He has been deployed as a wide midfielder or winger since his arrival to the Bordeaux training center in 2001 often playing on the right side of midfield in former Bordeaux manager Elie Baup's preferred 4–3–3 formation. After leaving Bordeaux, Valbuena was primarily deployed in the playmaker position as an attacking midfielder at Langon Castets and Libourne Saint-Seurin. While at these clubs, he developed a penchant for attempting to do everything as stated by both his former club coaches Tholot and Jean-Pierre Léglise, the latter being his manager at Langon Castets.

While at the amateur clubs, Valbuena also honed his quickness, technical ability, and developed his tenacious style of play which contributed to his positive work-rate defensively. Léglise once stated that "he had never worked with such a young person so technically brilliant" in his coaching career. Valbuena's former coach also described the player's tenacious style stating "Whatever the build of the opponent, he will always tackle" and "he also surprised me with the level of his defensive work when he is aligned on the right-hand side". Valbuena is also known for his small size and, while at Langon, began using his diminutive stature to his advantage. During his first season at Marseille, he earned the nickname le petit by his former manager Eric Gerets.{{cite news | url = http://www.omplanete.com/news-6994/la-relation-pere-fils-gerets-valbuena.html | title = La relation père-fils Gerets-Valbuena | date = 28 March 2009 | access-date = 11 March 2011 | publisher = OMPlanete | language = fr | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090331020914/http://www.omplanete.com/news-6994/la-relation-pere-fils-gerets-valbuena.html | archive-date = 31 March 2009 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }} Gerets described the player as "extremely mobile" and a player who is "very quick at turning, from one side to the other".

Valbuena was born in the southwestern commune of Bruges in the Gironde department to mother Brigitte and father Carlos.{{cite news|url=http://www.laprovence.com/article/om-a-la-une/blanquefort-pays-des-valbuena|title=Blanquefort, pays des Valbuena |date= 13 September 2008 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=La Provence |language = fr}} He is of Spanish origin through his father, who is originally from the city of Valladolid. Valbuena's father works for the city council of Bordeaux. Valbuena grew up in nearby Blanquefort where his parents still reside.{{cite news|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/val-de-marne-94/j-ai-joue-avec-valbuena-28-01-2011-1246241.php|title=J'ai joué avec Valbuena |date= 28 January 2011 |access-date=16 February 2011 |work=Le Parisien |language = fr}} On 24 December 2010, while traveling to Blanquefort to celebrate Christmas with his parents, Valbuena was involved in a car accident after losing control of his Lamborghini Murciélago while driving near Bègles. He survived the accident without any injuries.{{cite news|url=http://www.sudouest.fr/2010/12/24/valbuena-a-perdu-le-controle-de-sa-lamborghini-sur-la-rocade-de-bordeaux-275498-4789.php|title=Valbuena a perdu le contrôle de sa Lamborghini sur la rocade de Bordeaux |date= 24 December 2010 |access-date=5 March 2011 |work=Sud Ouest |language = fr}}

{{updated|match played 10 May 2025}}

{{notelist}}

Source:

:Source:{{cite web |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=26462|title=Mathieu Valbuena - International caps and goals|website=eu-football.info|date=5 December 2019}}

Marseille{{cite web|url=https://www.ligue1.com/joueur/valbuena-mathieu|title=Mathieu VALBUENA|publisher=Ligue 1|language=fr|access-date=16 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716195508/https://www.ligue1.com/joueur/valbuena-mathieu|archive-date=16 July 2019|url-status=dead}}

• Ligue 1: 2009–10
• Coupe de la Ligue: 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12
• Trophée des Champions: 2010, 2011

Olympiacos

• Super League Greece: 2019–20,{{cite web|url=https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/06/29/olympiacos-win-their-45th-greek-super-league-title/|title=Olympiacos win their 45th Greek Super League title|publisher=Greek City Times|date=29 June 2020|access-date=30 June 2020}} 2020–21, 2021–22
• Greek Cup: 2019–20

Individual

• Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2007–08, 2012–13{{cite web|url=https://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/ligue-1-team-of-the-year.htm|title=LIGUE 1 TEAM OF THE YEAR|publisher=Ligue 1|access-date=16 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716195923/https://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/ligue-1-team-of-the-year.htm|archive-date=16 July 2019|url-status=dead}}
• Ligue 1 Goal of the Year: 2007–08{{cite web |url=http://www.sportpalmares.eu/Trophees-UNFP-Oscars-du-football,246.html |title= Palmarès Trophées UNFP - Oscars du football - " Le plus beau but de Ligue 1 " (vote du public) |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727115406/http://www.sportpalmares.eu/Trophees-UNFP-Oscars-du-football,246.html |archive-date=27 July 2018|language=fr}}
• Ligue 1 top assist provider: 2012–13{{Cite web |title=Top assists - Ligue 1 Uber Eats |url=https://www.ligue1.com/ranking/assists |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=Ligue1 |language=en}}
• List of 33 Top Players of the Russian Premier League: 2014–15{{Cite web |title=Новости |url=https://rfs.ru/news |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=Российский футбольный союз |language=ru-RU}}
• Russian Premier League top assist provider: 2014–15{{Cite web |title=Russian Premier League 2015 top assists table - Page 1 |url=https://www.besoccer.com/competition/rankings/premier_league_russia/2015/assists |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=www.besoccer.com |language=en}}
• Super League Greece Player of the Month: September 2019{{Cite web|date=2019-11-29|title=NIVEA MEN Player of the Month του Σεπτεμβρίου ο Ματιέ Βαλμπουενά|url=https://www.slgr.gr/el/article/nivea-men-player-of-the-month-tou-septembriou-o-matie-balmpouena/|access-date=2022-02-10|website=Super League|language=el}}
• Super League Greece top assist provider: 2019–20{{Cite web |title=Στατιστικά παικτών Όλες οι ομάδες 2019-2020 {{!}} Super League Ελλάδα |url=https://www.slgr.gr//el/statistics/tables/players/18/88/all%20SUM_assists/ |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=www.slgr.gr |language=el}}
• Super League Greece Team of the Season: 2019–20{{Cite web|title=Super League Interwetten: Η καλύτερη ενδεκάδα της σεζόν 2019-20|url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/super-league-interwetten-i-kalyteri-endekada-tis-sezon-2019-20.9144792.html|access-date=2022-01-11|website=www.sport24.gr|language=el}}

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