Nicolas Anelka Biography: Wife, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Age, Height, Children, Awards, Current Team, Movies

Nicolas Anelka is a retired French footballer and coach known for his prolific career, which spanned multiple top European football clubs.

He gained recognition early in his career, making his professional debut with Paris Saint-Germain in 1996 before a breakthrough move to Arsenal, where he helped the team win the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998.

His exceptional pace, technical skills, and goal-scoring ability made him a valuable asset, leading to high-profile transfers to clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, and many others.

Anelka also played for the French national team, contributing to their victory at Euro 2000 and the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Profile

•   Full name: Nicolas Sébastien Anelka
•   Date of birth: March 14, 1979
•   Age: 45 years old
•   Gender: Male
•   Place of birth: Le Chesnay, France
•   Nationality: French
• Profession: Football player (retired), coach
•   Height: 1.86 m
•   Parents: Jean-Philippe Anelka, Marguerite Anelka
•   Siblings: Claude Anelka, Didier Anelka
•   Spouse: Barbara Tausia
•   Children: Kaïs Anelka, Kahil Anelka
•   Relationship status: Married
•   Religion: Islam (converted in 2004)
•   Ethnicity: Afro-Caribbean (Martinique descent)
•   Net worth: $22.5 million

Early Life and Education

Nicolas Anelka, now 45, was born on March 14, 1979, in Le Chesnay, a suburb of Paris, to parents originally from Martinique. He grew up in Trappes, near Paris, where he trained at the prestigious Clairefontaine Academy, a development center for talented young footballers.

His upbringing in the suburbs of Paris allowed him to form lifelong friendships with notable personalities, such as actors Omar Sy and Jamel Debbouze.

Anelka completed his football education at Clairefontaine before joining Paris Saint-Germain’s youth academy, marking the start of his professional journey. Raised in a multicultural environment, he converted to Islam in 2004 in the UAE, adopting the name Abdul-Salam Bilal.

Personal Life

Anelka has been married to Belgian choreographer Barbara Tausia since 2007. The couple has two sons, Kaïs and Kahil. Anelka’s personal life has remained relatively private, though his conversion to Islam and his friendship with controversial comedian Dieudonné M’bala M’bala attracted attention.

Despite the controversies surrounding his career, Anelka is known for his close family ties and faith, which he practices modernly, occasionally adapting religious practices to fit his lifestyle.

Career

Anelka’s career started at Paris Saint-Germain, but his move to Arsenal in 1997 catapulted him to fame. After winning the Premier League and FA Cup with Arsenal, he moved to Real Madrid in 1999 for a then-remarkable fee of £22.3 million.

Despite winning the UEFA Champions League with Madrid, his time there was marred by difficulties settling in. This pattern of club-hopping defined his career, with stints at significant clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City, Fenerbahçe, and Chelsea, among others. At Chelsea, he won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Golden Boot in 2009 as the top scorer.

Awards

•   Premier League (1997-98, 2009-10)
•   FA Cup (1998, 2009, 2010)
•   UEFA Champions League (1999-2000)
•   FIFA Confederations Cup (2001)
•    PFA Young Player of the Year (1999)
•   Premier League Golden Boot (2009)

Net worth

Nicolas Anelka’s net worth is estimated to be $22.5 million. His earnings come primarily from football, including lucrative contracts at Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Shanghai Shenhua clubs. He also earned substantial transfer fees throughout his career, nearly £90 million.

Controversy

Anelka’s career was littered with controversies. His outspoken nature led to high-profile conflicts with coaches and clubs. Most notably, he was expelled from the 2010 World Cup after a heated argument with France’s coach, Raymond Domenech.

He also courted controversy in 2013 with a controversial “quenelle” gesture, leading to a suspension from West Bromwich Albion and fines. This gesture, linked to anti-establishment sentiment in France, was condemned as anti-Semitic, though Anelka denied such intentions.

Social Media

• Instagram: @Nicoanelka39
• Twitter: @NanelkaGMF

Filmography

•   Le Boulet (2002)