20 Facts About Youri Djorkaeff

1.

Youri Raffi Djorkaeff was born on 9 March 1968 and is a French former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or forward.

2.

At international level, Djorkaeff scored 28 goals in 82 appearances with the France national team between 1993 and 2002.

3.

Youri Djorkaeff won the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2000, and the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, taking part at Euro 1996 and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

4.

Youri Djorkaeff is the son of former player Jean Djorkaeff.

5.

Youri Djorkaeff currently holds the position of CEO of the FIFA Foundation, following his appointment in September 2019.

6.

Youri Djorkaeff was born in Lyon, to a French father of Polish and Kalmyk origin, Jean Youri Djorkaeff, and an Armenian mother, Mary Ohanian, in Lyon.

7.

Youri Djorkaeff started his career in 1984 with French club Grenoble, before moving to RC Strasbourg in 1989, AS Monaco in 1990, and then Paris Saint-Germain in 1995.

8.

In 1994, Youri Djorkaeff led Division 1 in goals with 20.

9.

Youri Djorkaeff won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with PSG in 1996.

10.

Youri Djorkaeff turned many heads when signing with English club Bolton Wanderers in 2002, but added a lot of class to the team during his three seasons there, resulting in the creation of an international "dream-team" alongside the tricky Nigerian Jay-Jay Okocha, and former Real Madrid midfielder Ivan Campo.

11.

Youri Djorkaeff then transferred to Blackburn Rovers but left the club after playing in only three games.

12.

Youri Djorkaeff then signed with the MetroStars of Major League Soccer in February 2005, turning down higher paid offers from other countries.

13.

Youri Djorkaeff became the first French player to play in MLS and ended the season as the team's MVP with ten goals and seven assists in league play.

14.

Youri Djorkaeff announced from the beginning that he would hang-up his boots at the end of 2006 season, and played for the re-branded New York Red Bulls.

15.

Youri Djorkaeff retired from professional football on 29 October 2006.

16.

Youri Djorkaeff accumulated 82 caps and scored 28 goals for France at senior level between 1993 and 2002.

17.

Youri Djorkaeff was known for his positional sense and intelligent movement off the ball, as well as his ability to lose his markers with his attacking runs and create space for himself, or provide depth to the team; he was highly regarded for his accuracy from free kicks and penalties with his right foot.

18.

Youri Djorkaeff has a wife, Sophie, and three children: Sacha, Oan and Angelica.

19.

Youri Djorkaeff released a singing single called "Vivre dans Ta Lumiere", translated to "Living in Your Light" from French.

20.

On 15 November 2012 Youri Djorkaeff hosted Phone-a-thon for Armenian charity held in Europe.