BIOGRAPHYY
The moral of the Matuidi narrative
is a basic one – don’t underestimate
him, don’t ever write him offJAN 11, 2006
Scores his first-ever
professional goal
with a well-taken
volley, sealing
a1–0 victory
against Lille.AUG 15, 2006
Earns his first France
U21s call-up under
coach Rene Girard,
appearing as a
half-time substitute
against Belgium.JUL 12, 2007
Following Troyes’
Ligue1 relegation,
Matuidi joins Saint-
Etienne, making his
club debut against
Valenciennes on
August11.SEP 18, 2008
Plays in European
competition for the
first time, starting in
a UEFA Cup tie with
Israeli side Hapoel
Tel Aviv.AUG8,2009
Named Saint-
Etienne captain
by manager Alain
Perrin, after an
injury to regular
skipper Loic Perrin.MAY 18, 2010
Involved in an
on-field clash with
team-mate Dimitri
Payet, resulting in
the future West
Ham star striking
Matuidi.AUG5,2010
Receives his first
call-up to the France
squad, making his
debut off the bench
a month later in a
2–0 win over Bosnia
and Herzegovina.