Mario Lemina

Gabonese footballer.

Mario Lemina's early life and youth career were shaped by his move from Gabon to France at a young age. He began his football journey at the age of seven, playing for various youth teams in France. Lemina's talent was evident early on, and he joined ES Nanterre in 2000 at the age of five. He progressed through Sport-Etudes in Rueil-Malmaison and then Colombes before signing with the Lorient Youth Academy at 15. It was at Lorient where Lemina's potential truly began to shine, as he developed the skills that would eventually lead him to professional football. His time in the youth ranks at Lorient laid the foundation for his future success, honing his technical abilities and tactical understanding of the game.

Early life & youth football

Professional career

Mario Lemina's professional career began with Lorient, where he progressed through the youth ranks before making his senior debut. He joined Lorient's youth academy at the age of 15 in 2008, developing his skills and showcasing his potential as a midfielder.Lemina made his professional debut for Lorient on January 26, 2013, in a Ligue 1 match against Nancy. This marked the beginning of his senior career, and he quickly established himself as a promising young talent.

During the 2012-13 season, Lemina made 14 appearances for Lorient across all competitions, including 10 in Ligue 1. While he didn't score any goals during this period, his performances were impressive enough to catch the eye of bigger clubs.His time at Lorient was relatively short but crucial for his development. Lemina's physicality, technical ability, and versatility in midfield were evident even at this early stage of his career.

He showed maturity beyond his years, often playing against more experienced opponents in Ligue 1.Lemina's performances for Lorient attracted the attention of Marseille, one of France's biggest clubs. In July 2013, after just six months of senior football with Lorient, Marseille acquired Lemina for a reported fee of €4 million. This move represented a significant step up in his career, joining a club with a rich history and higher expectations.

However, Lemina's first season at Marseille (2013-14) was challenging. He struggled to gain regular playing time, making only eight league starts during the season. In total, he made 22 appearances across all competitions for Marseille that season, including some appearances in the Champions League. This experience, while limited, was valuable for his development, exposing him to high-level European football.

The 2014-15 season saw a significant improvement in Lemina's status at Marseille. Under the management of Marcelo Bielsa, known for his innovative tactics and development of young players, Lemina began to flourish. He was used more frequently and started to show the potential that had prompted Marseille to sign him.During this season, Lemina made 23 appearances in Ligue 1, scoring two goals.

His first senior goal came on November 23, 2014, in a 3-1 away win against Bordeaux. He followed this with another goal on January 18, 2015, scoring the opener in a 2-1 victory over Guingamp at the Stade Vélodrome. These performances helped Marseille to a fourth-place finish in Ligue 1, with Lemina playing a key role in the team's success.Lemina's time at Marseille was not without controversy.

In February 2015, he was sent off for punching Ola Toivonen in the groin during a 1-1 draw against Rennes. This incident highlighted the fiery side of his personality, which has occasionally surfaced throughout his career.Despite this setback, Lemina's overall development at Marseille was positive. He showed versatility by playing in various midfield roles, demonstrating his ability to adapt to different tactical systems.

His physical presence, combined with his technical skills, made him an asset in both defensive and attacking phases of the game.Lemina started the 2015-16 season with Marseille, making four appearances in Ligue 1. However, his impressive performances had caught the attention of Italian giants Juventus. On August 31, 2015, the final day of the summer transfer window, Lemina joined Juventus on loan with an option to buy.

In total, Lemina made 51 appearances for Marseille across all competitions, scoring two goals. Mario Lemina joined Juventus on August 31, 2015, initially on a season-long loan for €500,000 with an option to buy for €9.5 million at the end of the 2015–16 season. This move came after attracting interest from several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Southampton, and West Ham United.

Lemina made an immediate impact at Juventus, scoring his first goal for the club in just his third appearance. This came on September 26, 2015, in a 2-1 away loss to Napoli. His performances during the loan spell impressed the Juventus management, leading to the club exercising their option to make the transfer permanent on April 29, 2016. Lemina signed a four-year deal with Juventus for a fee of €9.

5 million, with an additional €1 million in potential performance-related bonuses.The 2015-16 season was a successful one for both Lemina and Juventus. He made 15 appearances across all competitions, scoring 2 goals in Serie A. Lemina played a part in Juventus winning the domestic double, securing both the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia.

He started in the Coppa Italia Final on May 21, 2016, playing the full match as Juventus defeated AC Milan 1-0 after extra time.In his second season with Juventus (2016-17), Lemina continued to contribute to the team's success. He made 29 appearances across all competitions, scoring 1 goal in Serie A. Juventus once again won the domestic double, with Lemina adding another Serie A title and Coppa Italia to his trophy collection.

One of the highlights of Lemina's time at Juventus was the team's run to the 2017 UEFA Champions League final. Although Juventus ultimately lost to Real Madrid, Lemina's participation in this campaign provided him with valuable experience at the highest level of European club football.In total, during his two seasons with Juventus, Lemina made 44 appearances across all competitions, scoring 3 goals. His time in Turin was marked by consistent success, winning two Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies.

The experience of playing alongside world-class players and competing for major honors helped Lemina develop as a player and raised his profile in European football.Despite his contributions, Lemina wasn't able to establish himself as a regular starter at Juventus, given the fierce competition for midfield spots in a star-studded squad. This ultimately led to his departure from the club in the summer of 2017, when he joined Southampton in the Premier League for a reported club-record fee of £15.4 million.

Mario Lemina joined Southampton on August 8, 2017, for a then club-record fee of £15.4 million, signing a five-year contract. His arrival at St Mary's Stadium was met with high expectations, given his pedigree from Juventus and the significant transfer fee.Lemina made his Southampton debut on August 20, 2017, in a 3-2 victory over West Ham United.

He quickly established himself as a regular in the Saints' midfield, impressing with his physicality, technical ability, and range of passing. His first goal for Southampton came on February 3, 2018, in a crucial 3-2 victory over fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion. This goal showcased Lemina's ability to contribute offensively, as he unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box.In his first season with Southampton (2017-18), Lemina made 25 appearances in the Premier League, scoring one goal.

Despite his individual performances, Southampton struggled as a team, finishing 17th in the league and narrowly avoiding relegation. Lemina's presence in midfield was often a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season for the club.The 2018-19 season saw Lemina continue as a key player for Southampton, making 21 Premier League appearances. However, injuries began to hamper his progress, limiting his impact on the team.

Southampton once again found themselves in a relegation battle, finishing 16th in the league. Despite the team's struggles, Lemina's performances when fit were generally solid, and he remained an important part of the squad.However, Lemina's time at Southampton took a turn in the summer of 2019. He expressed a desire to leave the club, seeking a new challenge.

This led to him being left out of Southampton's pre-season training camp and effectively being placed on the transfer list.Unable to secure a permanent move away from Southampton, Lemina was loaned out to Galatasaray for the 2019-20 season. This move to Turkey provided Lemina with an opportunity to play regular football and experience a new league. At Galatasaray, Lemina made 28 appearances across all competitions, scoring one goal.

He featured in both the Turkish Süper Lig and the UEFA Champions League, gaining valuable experience at the highest level of European football.Despite his solid performances in Turkey, Lemina returned to Southampton in the summer of 2020 with his future at the club still uncertain. Once again, a permanent move failed to materialize, leading to another loan spell, this time with Fulham in the Premier League for the 2020-21 season.At Fulham, Lemina quickly became an integral part of the team under manager Scott Parker.

He made 30 appearances across all competitions, scoring one goal. This goal was particularly significant, as it came in a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on March 7, 2021. The win was historic for Fulham, as it marked only their second-ever victory at Anfield and handed Liverpool their sixth consecutive home league defeat for the first time in the club's history.Lemina's performances at Fulham were generally well-received, with the midfielder showcasing his ability to perform at Premier League level.

He displayed his versatility by playing in various midfield roles and even filling in at right-back when required. However, despite Lemina's contributions, Fulham were ultimately relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2020-21 season.Following his loan spells at Galatasaray and Fulham, Lemina's time at Southampton came to an end in the summer of 2021. In total, he made 52 appearances for the Saints across all competitions, scoring two goals.

Mario Lemina joined OGC Nice on July 24, 2021, for an undisclosed fee, marking his return to French football after several years abroad. His arrival at Nice was part of a significant recruitment drive by the club, which was aiming to challenge for European qualification.Lemina made his debut for Nice on August 8, 2021, in a Ligue 1 match against Reims, coming on as a substitute in the 71st minute. He quickly established himself as a key player in the Nice midfield, impressing with his physical presence, technical ability, and experience gained from playing in top European leagues.

In his first season with Nice (2021-22), Lemina made 34 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals. His first goal for the club came on December 12, 2021, in a 2-1 victory over Rennes. Lemina's performances helped Nice secure a fifth-place finish in Ligue 1, qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League.One of the highlights of Lemina's first season at Nice was the team's run to the Coupe de France final.

Nice reached the final after defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16, with Lemina playing a crucial role in midfield. Although Nice ultimately lost the final 1-0 to Nantes, Lemina's performances throughout the cup run were highly praised.The 2022-23 season saw Lemina continue as a key figure in Nice's midfield. He made 20 appearances in Ligue 1 before the January transfer window, scoring one goal.

His goal came in a 3-0 victory over Angers on October 30, 2022. Lemina also featured in Nice's Europa Conference League campaign, helping the team progress through the group stage.During his time at Nice, Lemina showcased his versatility by playing in various midfield roles. He was often deployed as a defensive midfielder, using his physical presence and tactical awareness to break up opposition attacks and start Nice's offensive moves.

However, he also demonstrated his ability to play in more advanced positions when required.Lemina's experience and leadership qualities were valuable assets for Nice, especially given the number of young players in the squad. His presence in midfield provided stability and allowed the team's more creative players to flourish.Despite his importance to the team, Lemina's time at Nice came to an end in January 2023.

On January 13, 2023, he signed for English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported fee of £9.7 million, bringing his 18-month spell at Nice to a close.In total, Lemina made 58 appearances for Nice across all competitions, scoring three goals. However, his start at Wolves wasn't without controversy.

In just his fourth appearance for the club, Lemina was sent off in the first half of a match against his former club Southampton on February 11, 2023, after receiving two yellow cards. Despite this setback, Wolves went on to win the game 2-1.Lemina finished the 2022/23 season having made 19 appearances for Wolves in the Premier League, playing a crucial role in helping the club avoid relegation.The 2023/24 season saw Lemina firmly establish himself as a key player for Wolves.

He formed a strong midfield partnership with João Gomes and became known for his tenacious style and work rate. Lemina's performances were consistently impressive, and he added goals to his game, scoring his first for the club in a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United on October 28, 2023.Lemina's season was marked by both highs and lows. He received his second red card for Wolves in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on October 8, 2023, again for two yellow cards.

However, he bounced back strongly, scoring important goals against Tottenham, Chelsea, and Brentford.His performances throughout the season earned him high praise from fans and pundits alike. Lemina's contributions were recognized at the end of the season when he was voted Wolves' Supporters' Player of the Season.In total, Lemina made 35 appearances in the Premier League for Wolves in the 2023/24 season, scoring 4 goals and providing 1 assist.

His performances were instrumental in helping Wolves secure a comfortable mid-table finish.

National team

Mario Lemina's youth international career began with France, the country where he grew up, rather than his native Gabon. His performances at the youth level for Lorient caught the attention of the French national team selectors, and he was called up to represent France at various youth levels. The highlight of Lemina's youth international career came in 2013 when he was part of the French squad that participated in the FIFA U20 World Cup. This tournament proved to be a significant milestone for Lemina, as France went on to win the competition.

In the final against Uruguay, Lemina played a crucial role, helping his team secure victory in a penalty shootout. This experience at the U20 World Cup not only showcased Lemina's talent on the international stage but also provided him with valuable experience in high-pressure situations. His performances in the youth ranks for France further elevated his profile and contributed to his rapid rise in club football.Despite representing France at the youth level, Mario Lemina ultimately chose to play for Gabon at the senior international level. He made his debut for the Gabonese national team on January 14, 2017, in a friendly match against Tunisia, marking the occasion with a goal in a 3-3 draw. This decision to represent Gabon allowed Lemina to connect with his roots and play alongside stars like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Since his debut, Lemina has become a key figure in the Gabonese national team, earning over 30 caps and scoring three goals. He has represented Gabon in several Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and tournaments, helping to raise the profile of Gabonese football on the continental stage. However, Lemina's international career has not been without its challenges. In 2022, he briefly retired from international duty following a heart complication related to COVID-19, a decision that highlighted the personal struggles athletes can face.

Despite this setback, Lemina's commitment to his national team saw him return to international football in June 2023, reinforcing his importance to Gabon's footballing aspirations. His experience playing in top European leagues has made him a valuable asset to the national team, bringing a level of professionalism and tactical awareness that has helped elevate the team's performances

Player’s style

Mario Lemina's style of play is characterized by his versatility, technical ability, and physical presence in midfield. He is known for his strong tackling and ability to break up opposition attacks, making him an effective defensive midfielder. However, Lemina is not limited to a purely defensive role; he possesses the skill to drive forward with the ball, linking defense and attack effectively. His passing range allows him to dictate play from deep positions, while his energy and stamina enable him to cover large areas of the pitch.

Lemina's adaptability has been evident throughout his career, with managers utilizing him in various midfield roles and even as a makeshift forward when needed. His combination of technical skill and physical attributes makes him a well-rounded midfielder capable of influencing games in both defensive and offensive phases.