Real Madrid's youngest Champions League Final starter — France's most promising defensive midfielder.
Aurélien Djani Tchouaméni was born in Rouen, France in 2000. Monaco developed him after Bordeaux's academy produced him. Real Madrid paid £80 million for him in 2022 — one of the most expensive midfielder signings in the club's history. His debut Madrid season included starting the Champions League Final against Liverpool. He won La Liga in 2023 and 2024. He played in the 2022 World Cup Final with France — missing his penalty in the shootout against Argentina. He represented France 39 times before age 25. His combination of physical presence, defensive positioning and the ability to carry the ball from deep positions has drawn comparison to Patrick Vieira as a physical-technical holding midfielder. The size of his fee reflected Madrid's calculation that he was the most complete young defensive midfielder in world football. He suffered a foot injury in April 2024 that prevented him from playing in the Champions League Final which Madrid won.
Champions League (2022)
Career Honours
- Champions League (2022)
- La Liga 2x
- World Cup runner-up (France 2022)