Benoît Cheyrou
Benoît Benjamin Cheyrou (born 3 May 1981) is a French former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder, and often acted as a deep-lying playmaker for the attack.The younger Cheyrou earned his first call up to the national team on 25 February 2010, but unlike his older brother, never made his senior debut for France throughout his playing career.In the UEFA Cup, Cheyrou appeared in all 8 matches contested as Auxerre reached the quarterfinals where they lost 4–2 on aggregate to Russian club CSKA Moscow.On 4 June 2005, Cheyrou claimed the first major honour of his career following the club's 2–1 victory over Sedan in the 2005 edition of the Coupe de France final.Auxerre also finished out of Europe in the league standings, which prompted an exodus of players looking to continue playing in UEFA competitions, which included Cheyrou.Cheyrou formed an amazing three-way midfield partnership with fellow Frenchman Samir Nasri and the rugged Albanian Lorik Cana.He also featured in his first-ever UEFA Champions League and impressed playing the entire match in Marseille's upset victory over English club Liverpool at Anfield.In the competition, Marseille reached the Round of 16 before shockingly suffering elimination to Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg despite being up 3–1 heading into the match at Petrovsky Stadium.[7] In the final, held on 10 December at BMO Field, Toronto were defeated 5–4 on penalties by Seattle Sounders FC, following a 0–0 draw after extra time, although Cheyrou was able to net his spot kick in the shoot-out.[12][13][14] Following a 19-season career, Cheyrou officially announced his retirement from professional football on 21 December 2017, at the age of 36, weeks after winning the MLS Cup with Toronto FC.
MarseilleSuresnesMidfielderRacing ParisAuxerreToronto FCFrance U19France U20France U21Toronto FC AcademyfootballerFrench youth internationalunder-19under-20under-21French internationalBruno CheyrouLiverpoolRacing Club de FranceParis Saint-GermainRC LensDivision 21999–2000 seasonToulouseWasquehal2000–01 seasonDivision 1next seasonUEFA CupUEFA Intertoto Cupfinal season with LilleGuingampAJ AuxerreGuy Rouxhis first season with the clubEuropePhilippe VioleauLionel MathisRussianCSKA Moscow2005 edition of the Coupe de France finalgame-winning goalBonaventure Kalou2005–06 seasonThomas KahlenbergSochauxNantesBulgarianLevski Sofia2005–06 UEFA CupLigue 1 2006–07captainJosé AnigoGaël GivetLaurent BonnartStrasbourgSamir NasriAlbanianLorik CanaBordeauxUEFA Champions LeagueAnfieldZenit Saint PetersburgPetrovsky StadiumSpartak Moscow2008–09 seasonSaint-ÉtienneGrenobleRennesNorwegianextra timeTyrone MearsUkrainianShakhtar DonetskMajor League SoccerSebastian GiovincoMontreal ImpactMLS Cup FinalBMO FieldSeattle Sounders FCMarky Delgado2017 MLS Cup FinalSupporters' ShieldCanadian ChampionshipTFC Academy1999–20002000–012001–022002–03Ligue 12003–042004–052005–062006–072007–082008–092009–102010–112011–122012–132013–14Coupe de FranceCoupe de la LigueTrophée des ChampionsUEFA Europa LeagueMLS Cup PlayoffsMLS CupEastern ConferenceUEFA European Under-19 ChampionshipGeorge Gross Memorial TrophyWayback MachineMandandaBonnartPuygrenierHiltonToulalanValbuenaWendelBenzemaLlorisDiawaraSessègnonBastosGourcuffHoarauGignac