Lassana Diarra, a French footballer and wanderer, has had a remarkable career with notable achievements and a complex trajectory. From his years in the famous Le Havre training camp to playing for top clubs like Chelsea and Real Madrid, Diarra has been a prominent figure in the football world. However, his career fell short of the expectations due to various reasons. Let's take a closer look at his journey.

Le Havre Youth Academy

Born and raised in France, Diarra began his footballing journey in the renowned Le Havre youth academy. He spent three years here and was selected for the French U21 national team. Following his success, he joined Chelsea for a transfer fee of 4.5 million euros.

Troublesome Relationship with Mourinho

Diarra had two different stints under Jose Mourinho's management at both Chelsea and Real Madrid, and their relationship was a complex one. On one hand, Mourinho admired Diarra's athleticism and versatility, as he could play as a midfielder or a right-back. On the other hand, both men had strong personalities, leading to conflicts. Diarra often expressed his frustration with limited playing time and would cause disturbances with his agent.

During a recent interview, Mourinho jokingly said, "Half of my grey hair comes from this guy and his agent!" This comment reflects their relationship dynamics.

Lack of Opportunities with Wenger

Despite his success, many people tend to forget that Diarra also had a brief stint with Arsenal. In September 2007, Arsene Wenger acquired Diarra at a bargain price from Chelsea. However, Diarra did not get many chances to showcase his talent under his compatriot coach. After only making 12 appearances, including 7 league matches, in half a year, Diarra moved on to Portsmouth.

Diarra summed up his time at Arsenal simply, saying, "I didn't learn anything from Wenger. Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to prove myself at Arsenal." This statement reflects the reality of his experience.

Real Madrid's No. 10

Diarra found tremendous success during his time at Portsmouth, which led to his move to Real Madrid in January 2009 for a transfer fee of 20 million euros. He also had the fortune (or misfortune) of wearing the iconic No. 10 jersey for a considerable period, earning him the nickname the "dimmest star of the Galacticos."

Although Diarra's tenure at Real Madrid was not a failure, his unclear role within the team and tendency to hog the ball hindered his integration. Despite his exceptional individual abilities, he struggled to secure a regular place in the starting lineup under the management of Mourinho.

Russian Misadventure

In the summer of 2012, Diarra received an invitation from Eto'o to join the Russian club Anzhi. At the age of 27, he embarked on his overseas adventure, only to be hit by financial troubles when Anzhi faced a crisis a year later. Diarra then joined Dynamo Moscow, but his Russian experience turned into a nightmare. After just one season, he terminated his contract with the club and had a labor dispute, leading to a multi-million euro court ruling against him years later.

Resurgence at Marseille

After a year without a club, Diarra signed with Marseille in the summer of 2015. He quickly became the team's leader, showcasing his ball control, ability to drive forward, defensive skills, and excellent passing abilities. Diarra carried Marseille through their turbulent period and earned a recall to the French national team under the guidance of Deschamps. However, he suffered an unfortunate injury before the Euro and missed out on the tournament.

Retirement in Paris

After missing out on the Euro, Diarra lost his motivation to continue his football career. Combined with his age, he contemplated a move to Asia for new ventures. However, in 2017, he joined Paris Saint-Germain, a dream come true for him as a Parisian. Yet, a year later, at the age of 33, Diarra decided to retire from professional football and embarked on his new career in entrepreneurship.