N'Golo Kanté's story is nothing short of a football fairy tale. Often hailed as one of the most industrious and humble players in the game, Kanté's journey back to the top has captivated fans worldwide. From battling a chronic injury that threatened to end his career prematurely, to rising again and dominating the Euro 2024 stage, his resilience and determination are truly inspirational. This narrative of triumph over adversity has cemented his legacy as one of football’s greatest comebacks, proving that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, greatness can still be achieved.
"Kanté: 'Back from the Dead' Makes History in the Euros"
This phrase perfectly encapsulates the extraordinary resurgence of French star N'Golo Kanté with the "Les Bleus" during the ongoing Euro 2024, currently taking place in Germany. At 33 years old, Kanté has become a living testament to resilience, demonstrating his exceptional ability to bounce back and perform at an elite level after a challenging period marred by injury and his departure from Chelsea in the summer of 2023.
The French star has been one of the standout performers in the Euros so far, playing a crucial role in helping "Les Bleus" advance to the Round of 16 in Europe's most prestigious national tournament after the World Cup.
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A Golden Piece
Kanté first showcased his extraordinary skills upon joining Chelsea in the summer of 2016 from Leicester City. He quickly became an indispensable asset for both the "Blues" and the French national team. Kanté possesses numerous qualities that have established him as one of the world's best midfielders over the past decade. His ability to play both as a defensive midfielder and an advanced "number 8" with equal proficiency and quality is unmatched.
His incredible stamina allows him to run tirelessly, often being relied upon as the sole defensive midfielder to cover large areas of the field during crucial moments for both Chelsea and France. This is a role he has executed with remarkable success.
With Chelsea, he has won six major titles, including the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.
For France, he has claimed the 2018 World Cup and the 2020-2021 UEFA Nations League titles.
A Chronic Injury
Kanté encountered a significant hamstring injury at the start of the 2022-2023 season, sidelining him for nearly two months. He then suffered a setback during rehabilitation, necessitating surgery.
After a prolonged absence, he returned to action with Chelsea in April 2023, only to sustain a thigh injury a month later. British reports at the time speculated that Kanté might be dealing with a chronic injury, prompting Chelsea's decision to release him at the end of the season.
Indeed, Kanté departed Chelsea after seven years, joining Al-Ittihad on a free transfer.
Doubts Surrounding Kanté
Al-Ittihad's management and Kanté himself faced significant criticism due to his initial absence from some matches in the Arab Championship, attributed to a lack of readiness. This fueled further speculation about a chronic injury.
However, Kanté silenced his critics by playing in Al-Ittihad's first 13 matches, before being substituted against Abha after 73 minutes due to exhaustion, as confirmed by interim coach Hassan Khalifa. He missed two subsequent matches against Al-Ettifaq and Al-Khaleej but then participated in most of the season's games without issues, delivering outstanding performances and becoming a key player for Al-Ittihad.
Kanté scored four goals and provided six assists in 44 matches for Al-Ittihad across various competitions, according to "Transfermarkt."
Back from the Dead
Despite Al-Ittihad's underwhelming season, Kanté's impressive displays caught the attention of Didier Deschamps, the French national team manager, who included him in the squad for Euro 2024 on May 16. Kanté had missed significant time with the national team, particularly during the 2022 World Cup, where France finished second after losing to Argentina on penalties (4-2).
This marked his first return to the French team after a 713-day absence since his last appearance in a 2-1 loss to Denmark in the UEFA Nations League on June 3, 2022.
Despite expectations that Kanté would not be a starting fixture for "Les Bleus" in the Euros due to his absence from European football and the presence of notable players like Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga, Kanté defied the odds.
He returned to the starting lineup and earned Man of the Match awards in the first two rounds, leading France to a 1-0 win over Austria and a goalless draw against the Netherlands in the Euros.
Kanté became the first player to win the Best Player award in the first two matches of the current tournament.
The Al-Ittihad star set a historic record by participating in the most matches in major tournaments (World Cup - European Championship) without defeat among European players, with 18 appearances (12 wins and 6 draws).
Kanté has received widespread acclaim, from his coach Deschamps to football experts worldwide, proving his fitness and ability to perform at a high level despite leaving European football.
N'Golo Kanté's incredible journey from the brink of despair to the pinnacle of European football is a testament to his unwavering spirit and exceptional talent. His remarkable performances at Euro 2024 have not only silenced doubters but have also rekindled the admiration of football fans and experts around the globe. Kanté's story is a beacon of hope, illustrating that with determination, hard work, and resilience, one can overcome the toughest of obstacles and emerge victorious. As he continues to inspire with his extraordinary play and commendable sportsmanship, N'Golo Kanté has undoubtedly etched his name among the legends of the beautiful game. His legacy will serve as a powerful reminder that true champions are defined not just by their successes, but by their ability to rise, time and again, against all odds.