Djibril Sidibé steals the spotlight: World Cup winner rolling back the years at Toulouse
Sidibé was the definition of the modern full-back. During his time at Lille and then particularly at Monaco, the marauding Frenchman was vaunted for his attacking output, his ability to beat a man, to find teammates in the box, and crucially, the provide the finishing touch. For that, any defensive shortcomings were excused. It was a trade-off accepted given his attacking prowess.
Sidibé was not be the blueprint of the modern full-back, with the shift preceding his rise to prominence, but in the late 2010s, there were few as as effective as the former Monaco man, as his place in Didier Deschamps' World Cup squad in 2018 proved.
Due to a minor injury, he was a bit-part player, playing just once as France won the World Cup in 2018, but he would not feature again for Les Bleus. At 33, the dream of a recall may be extinguished, even if, as recently as October 2024, he left the door open to a return, but he has shown himself still capable of making a difference in Ligue 1 McDonald's.
Sidibé's time at Monaco came to an end as competiton in his position heightened. Ruben Aguilar initally provided competition, but it was the arrival of Vanderson in January 2022 that put paid to the Frenchman's career. Six months later, he was out the door of the Principality club, making a move to Greek giants AEK Athens.
From the periphery at Monaco, Sidibé once again became a central figure, featuring prominently with his new club as they went on to finish as Greek champions in his first season. He won the Greek Cup the same season, but the following season did not deliver the same collective titles.
"I wanted a new challenge," said Sidibé following his departure from Athens. Despite interest from La Liga and from Serie A side Como, he had his heart set on a return to France. "Playing Marseille (in the Group Phase of the Europa League in 2023) gave me a form of nostalgia," he admitted in an interview with L'Équipe.
Ligue 1 McDonald's sees a different sidibé
Despite his record, Sidibé returned to Ligue 1 McDonald's questioning whether he could still deliver. The defender was all-too aware of that. "I understand it. We are in a country where people criticise a lot and it is part of the game. I try to leave that aside. I know my value," said the Frenchman, just a couple of months after joining Toulouse.
Le TéFéCé and Carles Martínez Novell have seen his value, too. It explains why he has been almost displaceable since joining last summer. He played 28 times in Ligue 1 McDonald's last season. In that time, he registered three assists, however, he is now a player less evaluated by his attacking output, as he once was.
Toulouse’s late hero: Djibril Sidibé with a 90th-minute rocket 🚀🟣 pic.twitter.com/93XemkAvYW
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) August 16, 2025
Often playing on the right-hand-side of the back three, his experience, positioning, leadership, and turn of pace have come in handy. He contributed to Toulouse's excellent defensive showing as they finished the season with the sixth-lowest goals conceded in the division.
Sidibé may be a player that has adapted, has become more rounded as the years have rolled by, but he rolled back those years at the Allianz Riviera on Saturday, popping up at the back-post to rifle home in the dying moments to give Toulouse victory over Nice. It was a reminder - if indeed it was needed - that Sidibé still has it.
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