Sidney Govou

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Govou broke onto the scene during the 2000–01 Ligue 1 season, helping Lyon finish in second, just four points behind champions FC Nantes. Because of his great performances for the club, Govou won the 2001 Young Player of the Year Award in Ligue 1. During the 2004–05 season, Paul Le Guen handed Govou the captain's armband during the long absence of club captain Claudio Caçapa due to injury. Le Guen's decision was largely motivated by the loyalty displayed towards the club by Govou, in face of much speculation linking him with moves away from the club. On 24 May 2008, Govou scored the only goal of the game in added extra time, volleying home a cross, and was named 'Man of the Match' as Lyon defeated PSG in the final of the Coupe de France, the club's first cup success since 1973. In November 2009, Lyon hosted Marseille at the Stade Gerland in what would become an epic encounter. Govou scored a memorable goal in the 14th minute, making a sensational run with the ball from beyond midfield and then slotting it past Steve Mandanda to give the hosts a 2–1 lead. The game would go back and forth for the rest of the match, with Lyon leading 5–4 in the 90th minute until an own goal from teammate Jérémy Toulalan meant that the points would be shared.

In Their Own Story

Govou and Lyon endured a difficult 2009–10 Ligue 1 campaign. He appeared in 30 league games for Lyon, starting 22, but managed just two goals and two assists as Lyon finished runners up to Olympique de Marseille. Lyon eventually finished in second spot, securing an automatic place in the group stage of the Champions League. After leaving Lyon in 2010, Govou signed a three-year contract with Panathinaikos in Greece, reportedly earning €1.5 million a year. On 14 September 2010, he scored against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou to give Panathinaikos the lead, although they eventually lost the game 5–1. On 2 July 2011, it was announced by Panathinaikos that Govou had been released from the club by mutual consent, partly because of Panathinaikos' financial problems. He then signed a two-year contract with newly promoted Ligue 1 side Évian. In October 2013, Govou signed with his former club Lyon on an amateur contract, restricting him to play only with the club's reserve team.

Reader's Guide

Govou's career at Lyon was defined by loyalty and longevity. He joined the youth academy at 17 in 1996 and stayed with the club until 2010, playing his entire professional career at the Stade Gerland. His breakthrough came in the 2000–01 season, earning him the Young Player of the Year award. During the 2004–05 season, he was handed the captain's armband by Paul Le Guen during Claudio Caçapa's injury absence, a decision motivated by Govou's loyalty amid transfer speculation. His most memorable moment came in the 2008 Coupe de France final, where he scored the only goal in added extra time and was named Man of the Match, securing Lyon's first cup success since 1973. In the 2009–10 season, he appeared in 30 league games, starting 22, with two goals and two assists as Lyon finished runners-up to Marseille. After leaving Lyon, he played for Panathinaikos, Évian, and later returned to Lyon on an amateur contract to play for the reserve team.

Did You Know?

• Govou joined Lyon's youth academy at the age of 17 in 1996, having stayed at school to complete his studies to a comparatively late age for a footballer.
• He won the 2001 Young Player of the Year Award in Ligue 1 after helping Lyon finish second in the 2000–01 season.
• On 24 May 2008, Govou scored the only goal of the game in added extra time and was named Man of the Match as Lyon defeated PSG in the Coupe de France final, the club's first cup success since 1973.
• In November 2009, Govou scored a memorable goal against Marseille, making a sensational run from beyond midfield and slotting past Steve Mandanda to give Lyon a 2–1 lead in a game that ended 5–5.
• Govou was not selected initially for Euro 2004 or the 2006 World Cup, but was called up as a replacement for injured players Ludovic Giuly and Djibril Cissé, respectively.