Benjamin Mendy

Benjamin Mendy: biography

Benjamin Mendy is a skilled French footballer specializing as a left-back. Currently without a club, he is a free agent. Mendy proudly donned the French national team jersey from 2017 to 2019, showcasing his talents on the international stage.

Childhood and youth

Benjamin Mendy, born on July 17, 1994, in Longjumeau, France, had a modest upbringing. Growing up in a family of African heritage, Mendy experienced a love for football from a young age. His passion for the sport led him to join Le Havre's youth academy, where he began honing his skills as a footballer.

During his time in Le Havre's youth system, Mendy showed immense potential as a left-back. His athleticism, speed, and technical abilities stood out, catching the attention of his coaches and fellow players. Mendy's dedication and hard work paid off when he earned a promotion to Le Havre's reserve team in 2010.

In 2011, Mendy's talent was recognized once again as he made the leap to the club's first team. He quickly became a prominent figure in Le Havre's lineup, showcasing his defensive prowess and overlapping runs down the left flank. Mendy's performances at the club level earned him recognition from national team selectors, leading to his inclusion in various French youth squads.

Football career

Mendy began his professional journey at Le Havre's youth academy, progressing to the first team in 2011. After three seasons, he joined Marseille in Ligue 1, where he spent three successful years. In 2016, Mendy transferred to Monaco, contributing to their national championship triumph in 2016-17. The following year, he made a record-breaking move to Manchester City, securing the Premier League title in his debut season. However, his time at City was marred by a 2021 arrest, resulting in suspension and limited playing time before his release in June 2023. Mendy represented France at various youth levels before making his senior debut in 2017. He was part of the victorious French squad in the 2018 World Cup.

On July 24, 2011, Mendy signed a three-year contract with Ligue 2 club Le Havre, marking his first professional deal. He made his professional debut on August 9, 2011, in a Coupe de la Ligue match against Amiens.

On July 8, 2013, Mendy joined Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille under manager Élie Baup. He made his debut for Marseille on August 11, 2013, and scored his first goal for the club on September 24, 2013. Mendy also participated in the UEFA Champions League with Marseille. However, the team struggled in the competition, resulting in the departure of Baup and limited playing time for Mendy under new manager José Anigo. Mendy showed improvement in the following season under Marcelo Bielsa, making 33 league starts and earning a place in the Europa League.

On June 22, 2016, Mendy signed a five-year contract with Monaco, playing in the Champions League and contributing to the team's successful season. He was a key player in Monaco's Ligue 1 championship-winning campaign in 2016-17.

Mendy then joined Premier League club Manchester City on July 24, 2017, for a record-breaking transfer fee. However, he suffered a serious knee injury in September 2017, which required surgery. Mendy made his return in April 2018 and played a role in City's title-winning season. He continued to feature for City in the 2018-19 season but faced another injury setback requiring surgery.

On June 30, 2023, Manchester City announced their decision to release Mendy when his contract expired, following a period of inactivity due to his arrest.

Personal life

Benjamin Mendy, the French professional football player, keeps his personal life private and rarely discusses it publicly. Currently, there is no information available regarding his dating status. In the past, Mendy was in a relationship with French model and influencer Fanny Neguesha. However, specific details about their relationship timeline, including when they started dating and when they ended their relationship, are unknown.

Mendy, a practicing Muslim, has completed the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Regarding legal matters, Mendy faced multiple charges of rape and sexual assault. He was initially charged in August 2021 and remanded in custody. Manchester City suspended him pending trial. Additional charges were later brought against him while in custody. Mendy was granted bail in January 2022 with certain conditions. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial began in August 2022, and he was found not guilty of some counts while others resulted in a hung jury. A retrial for the remaining charges commenced in June 2023. On July 14, Mendy was found not guilty of one charge of rape and one of attempted rape.

Accomplishments and achievements

Benjamin Mendy has achieved several notable accomplishments throughout his football career. Here is a list of some of his achievements:

• FIFA World Cup Winner: Mendy was part of the French national team that won the FIFA World Cup in 2018. France emerged as champions by defeating Croatia in the final.
• Ligue 1 Champion: Mendy clinched the Ligue 1 title in the 2016-2017 season with AS Monaco. The club secured the league championship, ending Paris Saint-Germain's dominant run.
• Premier League Winner: Mendy won the Premier League title with Manchester City in the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons. He played a vital role in City's success during those campaigns.
• UEFA Champions League Runner-up: Mendy reached the final of the UEFA Champions League with Manchester City in the 2020-2021 season, narrowly missing out on the trophy to Chelsea.
• Domestic Cup Success: Mendy has won various domestic cups throughout his career, including the Coupe de la Ligue with AS Monaco and the English League Cup with Manchester City.
• Youth Honors: Mendy represented France at various youth levels, showcasing his talent and potential early in his career.