Moussa Sow (born 19 January 1986) is a former professional footballer who played as a forward. Born in France, he represented Senegal at international level, scoring 18 goals in 50 appearances.

Moussa Sow
Personal information
Date of birth (1986-01-19) 19 January 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth Mantes-la-Jolie, France
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1999–2002 Mantes
2002–2003 Amiens
2003–2004 Rennes
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2010 Rennes 82 (12)
2007–2008Sedan (loan) 30 (6)
2010–2012 Lille 54 (31)
2012–2015 Fenerbahçe 108 (52)
2015–2018 Shabab Al Ahli 32 (15)
2016–2017Fenerbahçe (loan) 25 (12)
2018Bursaspor (loan) 11 (4)
2019 Gazişehir Gaziantep 15 (4)
2020–2021 Ümraniyespor 13 (3)
Total 370 (139)
International career
2004–2005 France U19 5 (7)
2009 France U21 2 (0)
2009–2018 Senegal 50 (18)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He started his professional career at Stade Rennais in 2004 as an 18-year-old. In his first couple of seasons, Sow made his mark mostly in cup competitions, scoring a brace for Rennes against Corte on 6 January 2006 in the Coupe de France[2] and one in an away game against Lille in the Coupe de la Ligue.[3] He was loaned out to Sedan in 2007, scoring six goals in 30 appearances for the club. Upon his return to Rennes, he was the club's first-choice striker for two seasons before joining Lille on a free transfer In June 2010, where he made an immediate impact. He finished the 2010–11 Ligue 1 as the league's top scorer with 25 goals and made the Team of the Year. He joined Fenerbahçe in 2012. At Fenerbahçe, he was known for his bicycle kick goals[4] and emotional reactions such as crying when he failed to score, or when the team has lost.[5]

Club career

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Lille

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Sow, whilst playing for Lille

After his contract with Rennes came to an end, the 24-year–old forward signed a three-year deal with Lille OSC on 28 June 2010.[6] Sow scored on his debut for Lille in a 1–1 draw away to his former club Rennes.[7] But Moussa Sow did not score again in the league until a 90th-minute goal on 19 September gave Lille all three points in a tough home contest against Auxerre.[8]

Sow scored his first hat-trick for Lille on 13 November 2010, the goals came in a 5–2 away victory to Caen, with both Gervinho and Franck Beria grabbing 90th-minute goals to seal the win.[9] Less than a month later on 5 December 2010, Sow netted another hat-trick this time against Lorient.[10] His goals helped Lille to a 6–3 win and firmly placed his side into contention for the Ligue 1 crown.[11] Lille went into the winter break in sole position of first place, as Sow fired in their only goal in a 1–1 draw with Saint Étienne on 22 December 2010.[12]

Sow scored his 22nd goal of the Ligue 1 campaign in a 2–2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain on 21 May 2011. The result ensured that Lille would secure their first Ligue 1 title since 1954.[13] Sow scored his third hat-trick, on the final day of the season, as Lille tied the knot on their championship season with an emphatic 3–2 victory over former club Rennes.[14] Sow was the top scorer 2010–11 season with 25 league goals and also contributed with three assists.[15]

Fenerbahçe

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Moussa Sow with Fenerbahçe during a match against Arsenal
 
Sow playing for Fenerbahçe in 2014

On 27 January 2012, Fenerbahçe acquired Sow for €10 million.[16] He signed a 4.5-year contract which would have kept him at the club until the end of 2015–16 season.[17] Sow made his debut against local rivals Beşiktaş on 5 February 2012, scoring a goal in the second minute of injury time.[18] On 18 March he scored the first goal of the derby match with a bicycle kick against Galatasaray.[19] He continued his good run of form by scoring a late equaliser against Kayserispor to earn a draw for his team in quarter-finals of the Turkish Cup on 12 April 2012, helping his team to reach the semi-finals through a penalty shoot-out. Sow also scored the second goal for his team against rivals Trabzonspor on 15 April 2012. Over the course of the 2011–12 season Sow played 12 league matches and scored 7 goals. Sow earned his first trophy with Fener in the Turkish Cup final on 16 May as the club ripped apart Bursaspor by a score of 4–0.[20]

In the 2012–13 season Sow scored 13 goals in 22 league matches and three goals in European matches. On 3 March 2013, he scored twice against Beşiktaş followed by a goal each in the following league matches, a 4–1 victory against Bursaspor and a 2–1 win against. Antalyaspor. On 22 May 2013, he scored the solitary goal as Fenerbahçe defeated Trabzonspor to secure the club's second straight 2012–13 Turkish Cup,[21] consolation for falling short to city rivals Galatasaray in the league campaign. On 21 September 2013, Fenerbahçe were victorious in a 4–0 win against Elazığspor while Sow completed his first hat-trick for the club during this match.[22] Sow cried after leaving Fenerbahçe and stated that he will forever be only a Fenerbahçe fan.[23]

Al Ahli

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On 29 August 2015, Al Ahli acquired Sow for €16 million.[24]

Return to Fenerbahçe on loan

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On 31 August 2016, Sow wanted to return to Fenerbahçe and returned to Fenerbahçe on a season long loan deal from Al Ahli.[25] In November 2016, Fenerbahçe began selling shirts with Sow's name and number turned upside as tribute to his repeated times of his amazing bicycle kick goals, the latter of whom he scored a hat-trick against.[26][27] On 8 December 2016, Sow scored another bicycle kick, this time in the UEFA Europa League in a 1–0 away victory against Feyenoord.[28]

Loan to Bursaspor

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In January 2018, Sow joined Bursaspor on loan from Al Ahli until the end of 2017–18 season.[29]

Gazişehir Gaziantep

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On 28 January 2019, Sow signed for Gazişehir Gaziantep on a one-and-a-half-year contract.[30]

International career

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On 5 September 2010, Sow scored his first goal for Senegal in a 4–0 defeat of the Democratic Republic of Congo during qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. He scored three more times in the qualifying phase as well as once in a 2–1 defeat to Equatorial Guinea at the tournament finals.[31]

At the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, Sow scored Senegal's winning goal as they defeated Ghana 2–1 in the team's opening match.[32]

In May 2018 he was named in Senegal's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[33]

He retired from international football in August 2018.[34]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 1 July 2019[35][36]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Rennes 2004–05 Ligue 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2005–06 7 0 0 0 0 0 2[c] 0 9 0
2006–07 14 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 15 1
2007–08 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2008–09 32 9 6 2 2 1 5[c] 1 45 13
2009–10 24 3 1 2 1 0 26 5
Total 82 12 9 5 3 1 7 1 101 19
Sedan (loan) 2007–08 Ligue 2 30 6 0 0 0 0 30 6
Lille 2010–11 Ligue 1 36 25 5 0 2 0 8[d] 1 51 26
2011–12 18 6 0 0 0 0 6[e] 3 1[f] 1 25 10
Total 54 31 5 0 2 0 14 4 1 1 76 36
Fenerbahçe 2011–12 Süper Lig 12 7 2 1 14 8
2012–13 31 15 6 1 16[g] 3 1[h] 0 54 19
2013–14 30 15 0 0 4[e] 1 1[h] 0 35 16
2014–15 33 14 6 2 0 0 1[h] 0 40 16
2015–16 2 1 0 0 3[i] 0 5 1
Total 108 52 14 4 23 4 3 0 148 60
Al-Ahli 2015–16 UAE Pro League 24 13 0 0 6 3 0 0 30 16
Fenerbahçe (loan) 2016–17 Süper Lig 24 12 5 1 7[d] 2 36 15
Shabab Al-Ahli Club 2017–18 UAE Pro League 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 1
Bursaspor (loan) 2017–18 Süper Lig 11 4 1 0 12 4
Gazişehir Gaziantep 2018–19 Süper Lig 15 4 0 0 15 4
Ümraniyespor 2020–21 TFF First League 13 3 1 0 14 3
Career total 369 137 35 10 11 4 51 11 4 1 470 163
  1. ^ Includes Coupe de France, Turkish Cup
  2. ^ Includes Coupe de la Ligue, UAE League Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Cup
  4. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ Appearance in Trophée des Champions
  7. ^ Four appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, twelve appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  8. ^ a b c Appearance in Turkish Super Cup
  9. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[36]
National team Year Apps Goals
Senegal 2009 3 0
2010 5 2
2011 5 3
2012 4 1
2013 6 2
2014 5 1
2015 3 1
2016 1 1
2017 10 5
2018 2 0
Total 44 16
Scores and results list Senegal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sow goal. (includes two unofficial goals)[36]
List of international goals scored by Moussa Sow
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 5 September 2010 Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo   DR Congo 1–0 4–0 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2 9 October 2010 Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar, Senegal   Mauritius 4–0 7–0
3 9 February 2011 Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar, Senegal   Guinea 2–0 3–0 Friendly
4 3 September 2011 Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar, Senegal   DR Congo 1–0 2–0 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
5 2–0
6 25 January 2012 Estadio de Bata, Bata, Equatorial Guinea   Equatorial Guinea 1–1 2–1 2012 Africa Cup of Nations
7 5 February 2013 Stade Municipal Saint-Leu-la-Forêt, Paris, France   Guinea 1–0 1–1 Friendly
8 23 March 2013 Stade du 28 Septembre, Conakry, Guinea   Angola 1–0 1–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
9 16 November 2013 Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco   Ivory Coast 1–0 1–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
10 19 November 2014 Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar, Senegal   Botswana 3–0 3–0 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
11 9 January 2015 Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco   Gabon 1–0 1–0 Friendly
12 19 January 2015 Estadio de Mongomo, Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea   Ghana 2–1 2–1 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
13 8 October 2016 Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar, Senegal   Cape Verde 2–0 2–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
14 8 January 2017 Stade Municipal de Kintélé, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo   Libya 1–0 2–1 Friendly
15 23 January 2017 Stade de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon   Algeria 2–2 2–2 2017 Africa Cup of Nations
16 23 March 2017 The Hive Stadium, London, England   Nigeria 1–0 1–1 Friendly
17 10 June 2017 Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar, Senegal   Equatorial Guinea 1–0 3–0 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
18 2–0

Honours

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Lille

Fenerbahce

Al-Ahli Dubai

France U19

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 June 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  2. ^ "CORTE 2–3 RENNES". Fenerbahce.org. 7 January 2006. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Moussa Sow : ses dernières actualités". Stade-rennais-online.com. 18 November 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  4. ^ "Moussa Sow'un golü rekor kırdırdı!". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). 9 May 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  5. ^ Sporx (16 March 2014). "Moussa Sow sahada ağladı! - Fenerbahçe". Sporx (in Turkish). Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Moussa Sow au LOSC jusqu'en 2013". Losc.fr. 18 November 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Sow secures point for Lille". ESPN. 7 August 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  8. ^ "Sow sinks Auxerre". ESPN. 19 September 2010. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  9. ^ "Caen 2–5 Lille". ESPN. 13 November 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  10. ^ "Lille vs FC Lorient Preview". Goal.com. 5 December 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  11. ^ "Lille show credentials". ESPN. 5 December 2010. Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  12. ^ "Lille 1–1 St Etienne". ESPN. 22 December 2010. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  13. ^ "SOW GOOD AS LILLE TAKE TITLE". Ligue1.com. 21 May 2011. Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  14. ^ "Champions Lille celebrate in style". ESPN. 29 May 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  15. ^ "OFFICIAL TOP SCORER CHART". ESPN. 18 November 2012. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  16. ^ "Moussa Sow'un transferi konusunda taraflarla anlaşıldı". Kap.gov.tr. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  17. ^ "Moussa Sow has signed a 4.5-year contract with Fenerbahçe". Turkish-football.com. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  18. ^ "Fenerbahçe 2–0 Beşiktaş". Fenerbahce.org. 5 February 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  19. ^ "Fenerbahce 2-2 Galatasaray: Fenerbahce score two great goals, then go too defensive". Zonal Marking. 18 March 2012. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  20. ^ "50. Ziraat Türkiye Kupası Fenerbahçe'nin" (in Turkish). TFF. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  21. ^ "Soccer-Fenerbahce defeat Trabzonspor 1-0 to win Turkish Cup". Yahoo Sports. 22 May 2013. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  22. ^ "Fenerbahçe 4–0 Elazığspor". fenerbahce.org. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  23. ^ Sow Kadıköy'e gözyaşlarıyla veda etti... - tr.beinsports.com (in Turkish), 31 August 2015, retrieved 14 April 2021
  24. ^ "Al Ahli set to beat Sunderland to signing of Fenerbahce striker Moussa Sow". thenational.ae. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  25. ^ "Moussa Sow İstanbul'da". Fenerbahçe S.K. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  26. ^ "Moussa Sow is so good at overhead kicks that Fenerbahce now sell UPSIDE DOWN versions of his shirt". Daily Mirror. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  27. ^ "(ÖZET) Çaykur Rizespor Fenerbahçe maç sonucu: 1-5". Fanatik. 28 November 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  28. ^ "Remember Moussa Sow's bicycle kick against Manchester United? He's only gone and done it again". sportsjoe.ie. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  29. ^ "Moussa Sow joins Turkish Super Lig outfit Bursaspor from Shabab Al-Ahli". Goal. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  30. ^ "Moussa Sow: İnsanlar şunu bilsin, transferim..." 28 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  31. ^ "Africa Cup of Nations: Equatorial Guinea in quarters as Senegal crash out". BBC. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  32. ^ "Ghana 1-2 Senegal". BBC. 19 January 2015.
  33. ^ Crawford, Stephen (4 June 2018). "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists". Goal. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  34. ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (2 August 2018). "Senegal striker Moussa Sow announces his international retirement". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  35. ^ "Football : Mousa Sow". FootballDatabase.eu. 18 November 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  36. ^ a b c "Moussa Sow". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  37. ^ "2011 CAF Awards". Confederation of African Football. Archived from the original on 10 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  38. ^ "CAF - CAF Awards - Previous Editions - 2011". CAF. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
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