French · Marseille, France · Born 26 June 1987French midfielder who won two Premier League titles with Manchester City and earned 41 caps for France before retiring from international football aged 27
Samir Nasri was born on 26 June 1987 in Septèmes-les-Vallons, near Marseille, France, and joined Olympique de Marseille's academy at nine years old, spending seven years developing at the club's La Commanderie training centre. He made his professional debut in September 2004 at 17 and quickly became a regular starter, gaining his first taste of European competition in the UEFA Cup the following season. Nasri's elegant technical ability, vision, and eye for goal made him one of the most sought-after young midfielders in Europe, and Arsenal signed him in 2008. He spent three seasons in England developing into one of the Premier League's most creative attacking midfielders before Manchester City signed him in 2011, where he went on to win two Premier League titles and multiple domestic cups across six seasons. Nasri had a loan spell at Sevilla before finishing his European career with Turkish club Antalyaspor, and later had brief stints with West Ham United and Belgian side Anderlecht, though a doping ban in 2017 significantly disrupted the final years of his career. Nasri earned 41 caps for France between 2007 and 2013, representing his country at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, and was regarded during his prime years as one of the most technically gifted attacking midfielders of his generation, even as his career ultimately fell short of the heights his early promise suggested.
Key player in Manchester City's first Premier League title in 44 years
He was booed by Arsenal fans when he returned to the Emirates with Manchester City, having left in controversial circumstances in 2011.
Did You Know?How They Played
Creative attacking midfielder with excellent dribbling, passing ability and eye for goal
Lasting Impact
Talented playmaker whose career was overshadowed by controversies and early international retirement
Career Honours
- Premier League 2x
- League Cup 2014
- Premier League 2012
- Premier League 2014
- League Cup 2016
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marseille | 2004–2008 | — | 121 | 11 | #8 |
| Arsenal | 2008–2011 | £12m | 86 | 18 | #23 |
| Manchester City | 2011–2017 | £25m | 129 | 18 | #23 |
| Sevilla | 2016–2017 | loan | 23 | 2 | #23 |
| Antalyaspor | 2017–2018 | — | 8 | 2 | — |
| West Ham United | 2019–2019 | — | 5 | 0 | — |
| Anderlecht | 2019–2020 | — | 7 | 1 | — |
 France | — | — | 41 | 5 | — |
French Athletes