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{{Short description|French footballer (born 1987)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Blaise Matuidi
| image = Matuidi PSG.jpg
| caption = Matuidi playing for [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] in 2012
| fullname = Blaise Matuidi<ref name=Legion>{{cite journal |date=1 January 2019 |title=Décret du 31 décembre 2018 portant promotion et nomination |trans-title=Decree of 31 December 2018 on promotion and appointment |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000037909703 |journal=Official Journal of the French Republic |volume=2019 |issue=1 |id=PRER1835394D |access-date=28 November 2020 |language=fr}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|4|9|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_SQUADLISTS.PDF |title=FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: List of Players: France |publisher=FIFA |page=11 |date=15 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611000407/https://www.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_SQUADLISTS.PDF |archive-date=11 June 2019}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Toulouse]], France
| height = 1.80 m<ref>{{cite web |title=Blaise Matuidi |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/blaise-matuidi/ |publisher=Major League Soccer |access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref>
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| currentclub =
| clubnumber = 
| youthyears1 = 1993–1998 | youthclubs1 = US Fontenay-sous-Bois
| youthyears2 = 1998–2001 | youthclubs2 = CO Vincennes
| youthyears3 = 2001–2002 | youthclubs3 = [[US Créteil-Lusitanos|Créteil]] 
| youthyears4 = 2000–2003 | youthclubs4 = [[INF Clairefontaine]]
| youthyears5 = 2003–2004 | youthclubs5 = [[ES Troyes AC|Troyes]]
| clubs1 = [[ES Troyes AC|Troyes]]
| clubs2 = [[AS Saint-Étienne|Saint-Étienne]]
| years1 = 2004–2007
| years2 = 2007–2011
| caps1 = 67
| caps2 = 132
| goals1 = 4
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2011–2017
| clubs3 = [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]]
| caps3 = 203
| goals3 = 23
| years4 = 2017–2020
| clubs4 = [[Juventus FC|Juventus]]
| caps4 = 98
| goals4 = 6
| years5 = 2020–2021
| clubs5 = [[Inter Miami CF|Inter Miami]]
| caps5 = 47
| goals5 = 2
| totalcaps = 547
| totalgoals = 38
| nationalyears1 = 2006–2007
| nationalteam1 = [[France national under-19 football team|France U19]]
| nationalcaps1 = 9
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2007–2010
| nationalteam2 = [[France national under-21 football team|France U21]]
| nationalcaps2 = 25
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2010–2019
| nationalteam3 = [[France national football team|France]]
| nationalcaps3 = 84
| nationalgoals3 = 9
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|FRA}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2018 FIFA World Cup|2018 Russia]]|}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[UEFA European Championship]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[UEFA Euro 2016|2016 France]]|}}
}}

'''Blaise Matuidi ''' (born 9 April 1987) is a French former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[midfielder]]. He most notably played for [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]], [[Juventus FC|Juventus]], and the [[France national football team|France national team]], with whom he won the  [[2018 FIFA World Cup]].

Matuidi began his football career playing for amateur clubs in the [[Île-de-France (region)|Île-de-France]] [[Regions of France|region]], such as US Fontenay-sous-Bois and CO Vincennois. In 2000, he was selected to attend the prestigious [[INF Clairefontaine|Clairefontaine]] academy. In 2004, he signed with professional club [[Troyes AC|Troyes]] and made his professional debut in the [[2004–05 Ligue 1|2004–05 season]]. After three seasons with Troyes, Matuidi joined [[AS Saint-Étienne|Saint-Étienne]]. With Saint-Étienne, he played [[UEFA|European]] football for the first time after participating in the [[2008–09 UEFA Cup|2008–09 edition]] of the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]. In the [[2009–10 Ligue 1|2009–10 season]], he was named first-choice captain under manager [[Alain Perrin]].

In July 2011, after four seasons with Saint-Étienne, Matuidi transferred to Paris Saint-Germain, which had been newly acquired by [[Qatar Sports Investments]], on a three-year deal. He won sixteen domestic honours during his time with the club, including four consecutive [[Ligue 1]] titles. In 2017, he joined Italian side Juventus, winning a domestic double in his first season, followed by two more consecutive league titles over the next two seasons, as well as the [[2018 Supercoppa Italiana]]. He played for [[Major League Soccer]] club [[Inter Miami CF|Inter Miami]] for two seasons before retiring in 2022.

Matuidi is a former [[France national youth football team|France youth international]], having represented his nation at [[France national under-19 football team|under-19]] and [[France national under-21 football team|under-21]] level. In August 2010, Matuidi was called up to the senior team for the first time under new manager [[Laurent Blanc]]. He made his international debut in September 2010 and has since represented his nation at two [[UEFA European Football Championships]] and two [[FIFA World Cup]]s, winning a runners-up medal at [[UEFA Euro 2016|Euro 2016]], and a winner's medal at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]].

==Early life==
Matuidi was born and raised in [[Toulouse]], [[Haute-Garonne]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valery |first=Fabrice |date=13 July 2020 |title=Comment la passion pour le foot du champion du Monde Blaise Matuidi a débuté... à Toulouse |trans-title=How World Champion Blaise Matuidi's passion for football started... in Toulouse. |url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/occitanie/haute-garonne/toulouse/coupe-du-monde-comment-passion-du-foot-blaise-matuidi-debute-toulouse-1511617.html |access-date=10 August 2020 |website=France 3 Occitanie |language=fr-FR}}</ref> to an [[Angola]]n father, Faria Rivelino, and a [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congolese]] mother, Élise. Rivelino emigrated to France at a young age.<ref name="matuidi_youth">{{cite news |date=2 February 2010 |title=Matuidi, mediano scudo della difesa |trans-title=Matuidi, the midfield shield of the defense. |url=http://www.corrieredellosport.it/calcio/talent_scout/2009/05/02-66906/Matuidi,+mediano+scudo+della+difesa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722031005/http://www.corrieredellosport.it/calcio/talent_scout/2009/05/02-66906/Matuidi,+mediano+scudo+della+difesa |archive-date=22 July 2011 |access-date=19 February 2011 |work=Corriere dello Sport |language=it}}</ref> Matuidi has four other siblings and was raised in the Parisian suburb of [[Fontenay-sous-Bois]].<ref name="matuidi_youth"/> He grew an attraction to the sport of football watching [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] and became an admirer of former PSG attacker [[Jay-Jay Okocha]].<ref>{{cite news |date=16 April 2010 |title=quand Okocha régalait Matuidi |trans-title=When Okocha delighted Matuidi. |url=http://www.maxifoot.fr/football-rss114487/psg-quand.php |access-date=19 February 2011 |work=MaxiFoot |language=fr}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Early career===
Matuidi began his football career at the age of six playing for hometown club US Fontenay-sous-Bois.<ref name="matuidi_career">{{cite news |date=15 January 2006 |title=Matuidi a tout d'un grand |trans-title=Matuidi has all the qualities of a great. |url=http://www.leparisien.fr/sports/matuidi-a-tout-d-un-grand-15-01-2006-2006653102.php |access-date=19 February 2011 |work=Le Parisien |location=France |language=fr}}</ref> After five years at the club, he joined CO Vincennes in nearby [[Vincennes]], where he was teammates with [[Yacine Brahimi]] for a year. In 1999, Matuidi was rated as one of the best players in the Île-de-France region and was subsequently selected to attend the prestigious [[INF Clairefontaine]] academy. He trained at the academy for three seasons, playing there on weekdays while simultaneously playing for Vincennes on the weekends. In 2001, Matuidi left Vincennes to sign for semi-professional club [[US Créteil-Lusitanos|Créteil]]. He spent one year in the club youth academy quickly becoming one of the club's most sought after prospects. Despite an intriguing offer from the two-time defending champions [[Olympique Lyonnais|Lyon]], Matuidi signed with [[Troyes AC|Troyes]], citing the club's training centre as his primary reason.<ref name="matuidi_career"/>

===Troyes===
Matuidi began his career with Troyes playing on the club's reserve team in the [[Championnat de France amateur 2]], the fifth division of [[Football in France|French football]]. In November 2004, he was called up to the senior team by manager [[Jean-Marc Furlan]] and made his professional debut on 23 November in the team's [[Ligue 2]] match against [[FC Gueugnon|Gueugnon]]. Matuidi started the match and played over 60 minutes in a 2–1 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue2/feuille_match/49586|title=Gueugnon v. Troyes Match Report|date=23 November 2004|access-date=19 February 2011|work=[[Ligue de Football Professionnel]]|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507121430/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue2/feuille_match/49586|archive-date=7 May 2012}}</ref> His only other appearance with the senior team in the [[2004–05 Ligue 1|2004–05 season]] came on 4 February 2005 in a league match against [[En Avant de Guingamp|Guingamp]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue2/feuille_match/49447|title=Guingamp v. Troyes Match Report|date=4 February 2005|access-date=19 February 2011|work=[[Ligue de Football Professionnel]]|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507121446/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue2/feuille_match/49447|archive-date=7 May 2012}}</ref> Matuidi was relegated back to the club's reserve team for the rest of the campaign where he helped the team finish in sixth place.<ref>{{cite news |title=Les resultats des clubs de CFA2 Groupe B |trans-title=The results of the CFA2 Group B clubs. |url=http://www.stat2foot.com/champ0405/cfa2gb.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716132648/http://www.stat2foot.com/champ0405/cfa2gb.htm |archive-date=16 July 2011 |access-date=19 February 2011 |work=Stat2Foot |language=fr}}</ref> In the following season, Matuidi was promoted to the senior team, who were now playing in [[Ligue 1]], on a permanent basis. He was inserted as a starter by Furlan and appeared in 31 league matches. Matuidi was also one of the league leaders in card accumulation, with 11. He scored his first professional goal on 11 January 2006 in a 1–0 victory against [[Lille OSC|Lille]], converting a volley that was described by the media as "magnificent."<ref name="matuidi_career"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50050|title=Troyes v. Lille Match Report|date=11 January 2006|access-date=19 February 2011|work=[[Ligue de Football Professionnel]]|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507121504/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50050|archive-date=7 May 2012}}</ref> Despite the impressive individual season from Matuidi, Troyes finished only one spot above the relegation zone.

Following the season, on 16 June 2006, Matuidi signed his first professional contract, agreeing to a four-year deal with Troyes despite interest from English club [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]].<ref>{{cite news |date=16 June 2006 |title=Matuidi signe son premier contrat pro |trans-title=Matuidi signs his first professional contract. |url=http://www.footmercato.net/troyes-matuidi-signe-son-premier_article6389.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307170627/http://www.footmercato.net/troyes-matuidi-signe-son-premier_article6389.html |archive-date=7 March 2012 |access-date=19 February 2011 |work=FootMercato |language=fr}}</ref> Despite the firing of Furlan, Matuidi remained first-choice under new manager [[Denis Troch]]. He appeared in 35 total matches and score three goals. He also reduced his card accumulation to only six. Arguably Matuidi's greatest performance in a Troyes shirt came on 28 April 2007 against [[CS Sedan Ardennes|Sedan]], whom Troyes were contesting a relegation battle with. With Troyes trailing 2–1 at home with 15 minutes remaining, Matuidi scored an [[Equaliser (sports)|equalizing goal]] in the 75th minute. Eight minutes later, he scored the winning goal to give Troyes a 3–2 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50821|title=Troyes v. Sedan Match Report|date=28 April 2007|access-date=19 February 2011|work=[[Ligue de Football Professionnel]]|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513210623/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50821|archive-date=13 May 2012}}</ref> Matuidi scored again on the final match day of the season against [[RC Lens|Lens]] in a 3–0 win, however, Troyes still dropped down to Ligue 2 after finishing the season in the 18th position.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50851|title=Troyes v. Lens Match Report|date=26 May 2007|access-date=19 February 2011|work=[[Ligue de Football Professionnel]]|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513210634/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50851|archive-date=13 May 2012}}</ref> The club's relegation back to Ligue 2 caused speculation regarding Matuidi's future with the club.

===Saint-Étienne===
[[File:Matuidi.jpg|thumb|right|Matuidi signing autographs in 2011]]
Despite being linked with a hosts of Ligue 1 clubs, notably [[FC Girondins de Bordeaux|Bordeaux]], Lille, and [[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]], on 12 July 2007, it was confirmed that Matuidi had agreed to join [[AS Saint-Étienne|Saint-Étienne]] after agreeing to a four-year deal with the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11814_2595656,00.html|title=Matuidi seals St Etienne move|date= 12 July 2007|access-date=19 February 2011|work=[[Sky Sports]]}}</ref> Upon his arrival, Matuidi was given the number 12 shirt and was inserted into the starting XI, where he established midfield partnerships with [[Loïc Perrin]] and [[Christophe Landrin]]. He also formed a bond with former and fellow ''Troyen'' [[Bafétimbi Gomis]], who had a breakout season. Matuidi made his club debut on 11 August 2007 in a league match against [[Valenciennes FC|Valenciennes]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/51313|title=Saint-Étienne v. Valenciennes Match Report|date=11 August 2007|access-date=19 February 2011|work=[[Ligue de Football Professionnel]]|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513210650/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/51313|archive-date=13 May 2012}}</ref> He remained first-choice for the entire season under [[Laurent Roussey]]. The club's play that season culminated into a fifth-place finish and qualification for the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]].

During the [[2008–09 Ligue 1|2008–09 season]], Matuidi's performances caught the attention of English club [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], who sent its scout [[Gilles Grimandi]] to watch him. Grimandi subsequently recommended the player to fellow Frenchman and Arsenal manager [[Arsène Wenger]].{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} Matuidi was also tracked by Italian club [[A.C. Milan|Milan]] during the season. On 16 August 2008, he scored his first career goal for Saint-Étienne in a 2–1 win over [[FC Sochaux-Montbéliard|Sochaux]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/52269|title=Saint-Étienne v. Sochaux Match Report|date=16 August 2008|access-date=19 February 2011|work=[[Ligue de Football Professionnel]]|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513210745/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/52269|archive-date=13 May 2012}}</ref> Matuidi made his [[UEFA|European]] debut on 18 September 2008 in the team's first leg tie in the first round of the UEFA Cup against [[Israel]]i club [[Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C.|Hapoel Tel Aviv]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season=2009/round=15284/match=303951/index.html|title=H. Tel-Aviv v. Saint-Étienne Match Report|date=18 September 2008|access-date=19 February 2011|work=[[UEFA|Union of European Football Associations]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120074743/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season%3D2009/round%3D15284/match%3D303951/index.html|archive-date=20 January 2016}}</ref> He made eight appearances in the competition as Saint-Étienne ultimately reached the Round of 16 before suffering elimination to German club [[SV Werder Bremen|Werder Bremen]]. Matuidi appeared consistently in the league until receiving his first career red card in the team's 3–0 defeat to Lille.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/52570 |title=Lille v. Saint-Étienne Match Report |date=15 November 2008 |access-date=19 February 2011 |work=[[Ligue de Football Professionnel]] |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318071610/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/52570 |archive-date=18 March 2012}}</ref> In the second half of the season, Matuidi and the club in general struggled with injuries. The team's broken collective resulted in Saint-Étienne barely avoiding relegation, having survived on the last day of the season. After the season, Matuidi announced his intent to leave the club, telling French newspaper ''[[L'Equipe]]'', "My wish is to leave because I think it's time." Matuidi also stated that he would be happy if he remained at Saint-Étienne.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_5415194,00.html|title=Matuidi seeks summer exit|date= 4 July 2009|access-date=19 February 2011|work=[[Sky Sports]]}}</ref> After failing to receive any significant offers from clubs in the 2009 summer, sporting director [[Damien Comolli]] announced that Matuidi would remain at the club for the [[2009–10 Ligue 1|2009–10 season]].

Matuidi was named as the club's captain by incoming manager [[Alain Perrin]] following the first league match of the 2009–10 season due to injuries to incumbent captain Loïc Perrin. Despite Loïc Perrin returning to the team in September 2009, Matuidi still held onto the armband. Under his leadership, Saint-Étienne defeated the defending champions Bordeaux 3–1 on 3 October 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/44708|title=Saint-Étienne v. Bordeaux Match Report|date=3 October 2009|access-date=19 February 2011|work=[[Ligue de Football Professionnel]]|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513210827/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/44708|archive-date=13 May 2012}}</ref> Following the firing of Alain Perrin midway through the season, incoming manager [[Christophe Galtier]] returned the captaincy back to Loïc Perrin. On 18 May 2010, Matuidi was involved in a physical altercation with teammate [[Dimitri Payet]] during the team's 1–0 defeat to [[Toulouse FC|Toulouse]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/45036 |title=Saint-Étienne v. Toulouse Match Report |date=8 May 2010 |work=[[Ligue de Football Professionnel]] |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194842/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/45036 |archive-date=30 April 2012}}</ref> Midway through the first-half, Payet received criticism from teammate [[Yohan Benalouane]] for displaying a lack of aggression. He was then confronted by Matuidi, who echoed Benalouane's sentiments. Matuidi and Payet went face-to-face with the latter player delivering a blow to Matuidi's head before the two were separated by referee Bruno Coue and teammates.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 May 2010 |title=ASSE: "Il ne manquait plus que ça" |trans-title=ASSE: "That was the only thing missing." |url=http://www.leprogres.fr/fr/sports/football/asse/article/3113500,256/ASSE-Il-ne-manquait-plus-que-ca.html |access-date=4 February 2011 |work=Le Progrès |language=fr}}{{dead link|date=January 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> As a result of the incident, Payet was substituted out after 31 minutes and sanctioned by club president Roland Romeyer.<ref>{{cite news |date=12 May 2010 |title=Payet va être sanctionné |trans-title=Payet is going to be sanctioned. |url=http://www.football365.fr/france/infos-clubs/saint-etienne/article_415740_Saint-Etienne-Payet-va-etre-sanctionne.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720215755/http://www.football365.fr/france/infos-clubs/saint-etienne/article_415740_Saint-Etienne-Payet-va-etre-sanctionne.shtml |archive-date=20 July 2011 |access-date=4 February 2011 |work=Football365 |language=fr}}</ref> On 6 October 2010, following both Matuidi and Payet's call up to the [[France national football team|France national team]], Matuidi described the altercation as a "lack of maturity" on both players part, while Payet described the incident as "an argument that had no place" and that "the incident was explained and the two were on new ground".<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.rmc.fr/editorial/129327/payet-et-matuidi-ont-fait-la-paix/ | title = Payet et Matuidi ont fait la paix | date = 6 October 2010 | work = [[Radio Monte Carlo|RMC Sport]] | access-date = 4 February 2011 | language = fr | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120910025215/http://www.rmc.fr/editorial/129327/payet-et-matuidi-ont-fait-la-paix/ | archive-date = 10 September 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

===Paris Saint-Germain===
[[File:Blaise Matuidi.png|thumb|right|165px|Matuidi playing for [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] in 2011]]
On 25 July 2011, Paris Saint-Germain confirmed that the club had signed Matuidi to a three-year contract as a replacement for the departed [[Claude Makélélé]], who retired from the sport.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 July 2011 |title=Matuidi et Menez au PSG (off.) |trans-title=Matuidi and Menez to PSG (official). |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2011/20110725_144853_matuidi-et-menez-au-psg-off.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804050117/http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2011/20110725_144853_matuidi-et-menez-au-psg-off.html |archive-date=4 August 2011 |access-date=25 July 2011 |work=[[L'Equipe]] |language=fr |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The transfer fee was undisclosed, but is purported to be in the region of €7.5&nbsp;million plus future incentives.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/wires/07/25/2080.ap.soc.psg.signings.2nd.ld.writethru.0394/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121104163327/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/wires/07/25/2080.ap.soc.psg.signings.2nd.ld.writethru.0394/ | url-status = dead | archive-date = 4 November 2012 | title = PSG signs Menez, Matuidi to spur title ambitions | date = 25 July 2011 |magazine=Sports Illustrated | access-date =25 July 2011 }}</ref> Matuidi was presented to the media the same day alongside fellow new signing and international teammate [[Jérémy Ménez]] and was assigned the number 14 shirt.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 July 2011 |title=Matuidi et Ménez s'engagent avec le PSG |trans-title=Matuidi and Ménez sign with PSG. |url=http://www.psg.fr/fr/Article/003001/Article/54398/Matuidi-et-Menez-s-engagent-avec-le-PSG |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150111001905/http://www.psg.fr/fr/Article/003001/Article/54398/Matuidi-et-Menez-s-engagent-avec-le-PSG |archive-date=11 January 2015 |access-date=25 July 2011 |work=[[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.]] |language=fr}}</ref> He made his club debut for the team in its 1–0 defeat to the [[New York Red Bulls]] at the [[Emirates Cup]]. Matuidi made his competitive debut for PSG on 6 August 2011 in the team's opening 1–0 league defeat to [[FC Lorient|Lorient]].<ref>{{cite news | title = Paris Saint-Germain v. Lorient Match Report | url = http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/74378 | date = 6 August 2011 | work=[[Ligue de Football Professionnel]] | access-date =18 August 2011 | language = fr}}</ref> During the [[2012–13 Ligue 1|2012–13 season]], Matuidi scored in wins against [[SC Bastia|Bastia]](0–4), Troyes (4–0, 0–1), [[Olympique Lyonnais|Lyon]] (1–0), and [[Stade Brest 29|Brest]] as PSG won Ligue 1 for the first time in 19 years. He scored his first [[UEFA Champions League]] goal in a 4–0 defeat of [[GNK Dinamo Zagreb|Dinamo Zagreb]] at the [[Parc des Princes]] on 6 November 2012, and went on to score a stoppage time equalising goal in a 2–2 draw with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in the quarter-final first leg.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/21989995|title=Paris St G 2-2 Barcelona|date=2 April 2013|work=BBC}}</ref>

On 24 May 2013, Matuidi was one of five PSG players named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/ligue-1-team-of-the-year.htm|title=Ligue1.com unveils its Team of the Year for the 2012-13 season|date=24 May 2013|work=Ligue 1}}</ref> On 26 February 2014, Matuidi agreed a four-year contract extension.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BLAISE MATUIDI PROLONGE JUSQU'EN 2018 |url=http://www.psg.fr/fr/Actus/003001/Article/65826/Blaise-Matuidi-prolonge-jusqu-en-2018 |work=Paris Saint-Germain FC |date=26 February 2014 |language=fr |access-date=26 February 2014 |archive-date=26 February 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140226143610/http://www.psg.fr/fr/Actus/003001/Article/65826/Blaise-Matuidi-prolonge-jusqu-en-2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 10 May 2014, he scored in PSG's 3–1 win at Lille as the Parisians set a new points record in Ligue 1.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27301072|title=Lille 1-3 Paris St G|date=10 May 2014|work=BBC}}</ref> On 30 September 2014, Matuidi scored the winning goal for PSG in a 3–2 home victory over Barcelona in the [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League group stage|group stage]] of the [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/30/paris-saint-germain-barcelona-champions-league-match-report|title=David Luiz and PSG spoil Xavi's record-breaking night for Barcelona|date=1 October 2014|work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-26 |title=tin68 |url=https://tin688.com/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |language=vi}}</ref> On 16 May 2015, he scored in a 2–1 win at [[Montpellier HSC|Montpellier]] to confirm a third consecutive [[List of French football champions|French league title]] for Paris Saint-Germain.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32755112|title=Montpellier 1-2 Paris St G|date=16 May 2015|work=BBC}}</ref> In the [[2015–16 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season|2015–16 season]], Matuidi was named in the UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year for the second time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://frenchfootballdaily.com/2016/05/ligue-1-team-of-the-year-2016-unfp-team-of-the-season-201516/|title=Ligue 1 Team of the Year 2016- UNFP Team of the Season 2015/16|date=8 May 2016|work=French Football Daily}}</ref> On 21 May 2016, he scored the opening goal of PSG's [[2016 Coupe de France Final]] win over [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]] to record the second consecutive [[2015–16 Ligue 1|league]]-[[2015–16 Coupe de France|Coupe de France]]-[[2015-16 Coupe de la Ligue|Coupe de la Ligue]] domestic [[treble (association football)|treble]] for the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36211853|title=Marseille 2-4 Paris Saint Germain|work=BBC|date=21 May 2016}}</ref> On 28 September 2016, Matuidi scored the equalising goal for PSG in the 3–1 away victory against [[PFC Ludogorets Razgrad|Ludogorets Razgrad]] in PSG's second [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League group stage|2016–17 UEFA Champions League]] Group A match, his first goal for PSG since the [[2016 Coupe de France Final]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0231-0e95214ac343-9aad033e24e0-1000--two-out-of-two-for-atletico-barcelona-and-napoli/|title=Two out of two for Atlético, Barcelona and Napoli|work=[[UEFA]]|date=28 September 2016}}</ref>

===Juventus===
On 18 August 2017, Matuidi joined [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] on a three-year contract that would expire on 30 June 2020. The initial transfer fee was €20 million, plus up to €10.5 million in potential bonuses that would depend on the number of appearances made by him in Juventus' competitive matches over the next three seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.juventus.com/media/native/investor-relations-docs/english/price-sensitive-press-releases/2017-2018/comunicato%2018082017%20matuidi%20eng.pdf|title=Agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for the definitive acquisition of the player Blaise Matuidi|publisher=Juventus F.C.|date=18 August 2017|access-date=18 August 2017|archive-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828230912/http://www.juventus.com/media/native/investor-relations-docs/english/price-sensitive-press-releases/2017-2018/comunicato%2018082017%20matuidi%20eng.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> He made his club and [[2017–18 Serie A|Serie A]] debut on 19 August 2017, in a 3–0 home win over [[Cagliari Calcio|Cagliari]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/108435/history-made-juventus-cagliari|title=History made in Juventus-Cagliari|publisher=Football Italia|date=19 August 2017|access-date=19 August 2017}}</ref> Matuidi scored his first goal for Juventus on 17 December; the final goal of a 3–0 away win over [[Bologna F.C. 1909|Bologna]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/114430/juve-thump-bologna-go-second|title=Juve thump Bologna to go second|publisher=Football Italia|date=17 December 2017}}</ref>

On 1 September 2018, Matuidi scored his first goal of the [[2018–19 Juventus FC season|2018–19 season]] in a 2–1 away win over [[Parma F.C.|Parma]] in Serie A.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Luca Bianchin |date=1 September 2018 |title=Parma-Juventus 1-2: gol di Mandzukic, Gervinho e Matuidi |trans-title=Parma-Juventus 1-2: goals by Mandzukic, Gervinho, and Matuidi. |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/01-09-2018/parma-juventus-1-2-gol-mandzukic-gervinho-matuidi-290650448057.shtml |access-date=2 September 2018 |publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it}}</ref> On 30 October 2019, Matuidi made his 100th appearance for Juventus in a 2–1 home win over [[Genoa C.F.C.|Genoa]] in Serie A.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50243942 |title=Juventus 2–1 Genoa |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 October 2019 |access-date=3 November 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=30 October 2019 |title=Matuidi, 100 presenze con la Juve per il centrocampista francese |trans-title=Matuidi, 100 appearances with Juventus for the French midfielder. |url=https://www.juventusnews24.com/highlights-e-gol-juve-genoa-immagini-serie-a-2019-20/ |access-date=3 November 2019 |publisher=www.juventusnews24.com}}</ref>

On 12 August 2020, Matuidi terminated his contract with Juventus on a consensual basis.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Juventus.com|title=Thank you, Blaise!|url=https://www.juventus.com/en/news/articles/thank-you-blaise|access-date=12 August 2020|publisher=Juventus}}</ref> In three seasons at the club, Matuidi won three Serie A titles, one [[Coppa Italia]], and one [[Supercoppa Italiana]]; he played 133 games in all competitions for Juventus, more than any other player at the club since his arrival — other than [[Paulo Dybala]] (134) –<ref name=":0" /> and scored eight goals, also providing five assists.<ref name=":0" />

===Inter Miami===
On 13 August 2020, Matuidi signed for [[Major League Soccer]] club [[Inter Miami CF|Inter Miami]] on a free transfer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Inter Miami CF Signs France national team Midfielder Blaise Matuidi|url=https://www.intermiamicf.com/en/post/2020/08/13/inter-miami-cf-signs-french-national-team-midfielder-blaise-matuidi|access-date=2020-08-13|website=Inter Miami}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-13|title=Inter Miami sign Matuidi after Juventus exit|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/inter-miami-cf/story/4158490/inter-miami-signs-blaise-matuidi-on-free-transfer-after-france-world-cup-winners-juventus-exit|access-date=2020-08-13|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref> He made his club debut on 6 September, in a scoreless home draw against [[Nashville SC|Nashville]] in the [[2020 MLS season|MLS]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/inter-miami/fl-sp-inter-miami-nashville-20200907-vmfyv7ljfrfq7de5q6vmul5qte-story.html |title=Blaise Matuidi makes Inter Miami debut, but another scoreless draw for South Floridians |work=The South Florida Sun Sentinel |last1=Price |first1=Khobi |date=7 September 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020 }}</ref> In May 2021, Inter Miami had to pay a $2m fine for breaking MLS rules, as Matuidi was the fourth designated player in the team rather than the permitted three.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57290473 |title=David Beckham's Inter Miami fined $2m for breaking MLS rules over Blaise Matuidi signing |website=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2021 }}</ref>

In January 2022, Matuidi was left off Inter Miami’s roster for the 2022 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/22/blaise-matuidi-david-beckham-was-a-big-part-of-why-i-moved-to-mls|title=Blaise Matuidi: 'David Beckham was a big part of why I moved to MLS'|date=22 March 2022|website=the Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/report-blaise-matuidi-not-returning-to-inter-miami-in-2022|title=Report: Blaise Matuidi not returning to Inter Miami in 2022 &#124; MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}}</ref>

On 23 December 2022, Matuidi announced his retirement from professional football after an 18 year long career.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 December 2022 |title=Blaise Matuidi annuncia il suo ritiro: "E' arrivato il momento di dire basta" |trans-title=Blaise Matuidi announces his retirement: "The time has come to say enough." |url=https://www.goal.com/it/notizie/blaise-matuidi-annuncia-ritiro-arrivato-momento-dire-basta/blt59f0deac35d06121 |accessdate=23 December 2022 |publisher=Goal.com |language=it}}</ref>

==International career==
[[File:Blaise Matuidi en équipe de France.JPG|thumb|right|Matuidi playing for [[France national football team|France]] against [[Georgia national football team|Georgia]], 2013]]
Matuidi is a former [[France national youth football team|French youth international]], having represented his nation at [[France national under-19 football team|under-19]] and [[France national under-21 football team|under-21]] level. He went unnoticed while developing at both Créteil and Troyes; after establishing himself in the 2006–07 season with the latter club, however, he was called up to the under-19 team by coach Guy Ferrier. Matuidi made his youth international debut on 5 October 2005 in a 4–0 friendly match victory over [[Norway national under-19 football team|Norway]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.fff.fr/selections/m19ans/258700.shtml | title = Payet et Matuidi ont fait la paix | date = 5 October 2006 | work = [[French Football Federation]] | access-date = 20 February 2011 | language = fr | archive-date = 20 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720220307/http://www.fff.fr/selections/m19ans/258700.shtml | url-status = dead }}</ref> He subsequently appeared with the team in [[2006 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualification|qualifying matches]] for the [[2006 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship]]. France ultimately failed to qualify for the competition and Matuidi finished the campaign with nine appearances and no goals.

Matuidi earned his first call up to the [[France national under-21 football team|under-21 team]] under coach [[René Girard (footballer)|René Girard]] in the team's first match following the [[2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship]] against [[Belgium national under-21 football team|Belgium]], appearing as a half-time substitute for [[Jimmy Briand]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.fff.fr/selections/espoirs/actualite/316841.shtml | title = La Belgique s'impose 1–0 | date = 15 August 2006 | work = [[French Football Federation]] | access-date = 20 February 2011 | language = fr | archive-date = 20 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720220312/http://www.fff.fr/selections/espoirs/actualite/316841.shtml | url-status = dead }}</ref> He featured in [[2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification|qualification matches]] for the [[2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship]] and appeared as a substitute in both legs of the team's surprising defeat to [[Israel national under-21 football team|Israel]] in the qualifying playoffs.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.fff.fr/selections/espoirs/actualite/328651.shtml | title = France et Israël dos à dos (1–1) | date = 7 October 2006 | work=[[French Football Federation]] | access-date =20 February 2011 | language = fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.fff.fr/selections/espoirs/329983.shtml | title = La France éliminée | date = 11 October 2006 | work=[[French Football Federation]] | access-date =20 February 2011 | language = fr}}</ref> Matuidi was among a handful of underage players who remained with the team after its elimination appearing with the team in its first match of 2007 against [[Sweden national under-21 football team|Sweden]], which France won 4–0.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.fff.fr/selections/espoirs/358274.shtml | archive-url = https://archive.today/20100310104605/http://www.fff.fr/selections/espoirs/358274.shtml | url-status = dead | archive-date = 10 March 2010 | title = Les Bleuets s'imposent (4–0) | date = 7 February 2007 | work = [[French Football Federation]] | access-date = 20 February 2011 | language = fr }}</ref> Matuidi appeared with the team in the next ten matches, which included [[2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification|qualifiers]] for the [[2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship]]. After missing the last match of 2007, he returned to the team for their first match of 2008 against [[Spain national under-21 football team|Spain]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.fff.fr/selections/espoirs/actualite/422279.shtml | title = Les Bleuets s'inclinent (2–0) à Benidorm | date = 5 February 2008 | work = [[French Football Federation]] | access-date = 20 February 2011 | language = fr | archive-date = 20 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720220359/http://www.fff.fr/selections/espoirs/actualite/422279.shtml | url-status = dead }}</ref> Matuidi remained with the team for the rest of the qualifying campaign. His under-21 career came to an end following the team's defeat to [[Germany national under-21 football team|Germany]] in a two-legged play-off, which determined who would earn a berth in the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.fff.fr/selections/espoirs/actualite/469028.shtml | title = Allemagne et France dos à dos (1–1) | date = 10 October 2008 | work = [[French Football Federation]] | access-date = 20 February 2011 | language = fr | archive-date = 20 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720220438/http://www.fff.fr/selections/espoirs/actualite/469028.shtml | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.fff.fr/selections/espoirs/actualite/469814.shtml | title = L'Allemagne rejoint la Suède (1–0) | date = 15 October 2008 | work = [[French Football Federation]] | access-date = 20 February 2011 | language = fr | archive-date = 20 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720220458/http://www.fff.fr/selections/espoirs/actualite/469814.shtml | url-status = dead }}</ref>

[[File:Blaise Matuidi World Cup Trophy.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Matuidi and his children posing with the [[FIFA World Cup Trophy]], 2018]]

After failing to appear at international level for nearly two years, on 5 August 2010, Matuidi was called up to the [[France national football team|senior team]] for the first time by new manager [[Laurent Blanc]] for the team's [[Exhibition match|friendly match]] against [[Norway national football team|Norway]] on 11 August 2010.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/aug/05/karim-benzema-hatem-ben-arfa-france | title = Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa in Laurent Blanc's first France squad | date = 5 August 2010 | work=[[Guardian Media Group]] | access-date =20 February 2011 }}</ref> He failed to make an appearance in the match, but was called back into the team the following month as an injury replacement for [[UEFA Euro 2012]] qualification matches against [[Belarus national football team|Belarus]] and [[Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team|Bosnia and Herzegovina]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.fff.fr/bleus/actu/534626.shtml | title = Cabaye forfait, Matuidi en renfort | date = 1 September 2010 | work = [[French Football Federation]] | access-date = 20 February 2011 | language = fr | archive-date = 9 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121009115238/http://www.fff.fr/bleus/actu/534626.shtml | url-status = dead }}</ref> Matuidi made his international debut in the team's 2–0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, appearing as a substitute. On 29 March 2011, he made his first start in the team's 0–0 draw with [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]].

Matuidi was named in France's squad for [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]] but did not make an appearance in the tournament due to injury.<ref name=fifa>{{cite news|url=http://m.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=358014/index.html|title=Blaise MATUIDI|access-date=20 June 2014|work=FIFA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625052043/http://m.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=358014/index.html|archive-date=25 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> He appeared nine times during [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2014 FIFA World Cup qualification]] and impressed in midfield in the team's 3–0 [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA second round|play-off]] defeat of [[Ukraine national football team|Ukraine]] at the [[Stade de France]] to secure qualification.<ref name=fifa/>

Matuidi scored his first international goal with a [[bicycle kick|scissor kick]] in a 2–0 friendly win against the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] on 5 March 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/france/10679057/France-2-Holland-0-match-report.html|title= France 2 Holland 0|date=5 March 2014|work=Daily Telegraph|access-date=6 March 2014}}</ref>

On 13 May 2014, Matuidi was named in [[Didier Deschamps]]' [[2014 FIFA World Cup squads#France|squad]] for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|title=World Cup 2014: Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy not in France squad|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27401306|access-date=21 May 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=13 May 2014}}</ref> On 8 June, he scored twice as France defeated [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]] 8–0 in their final World Cup warm-up match.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27383509|title=France 8-0 Jamaica|date=8 June 2014|access-date=21 June 2014|work=BBC}}</ref>

Matuidi started alongside [[Paul Pogba]] and [[Yohan Cabaye]] in midfield in France's opening match of the tournament, a 3–0 defeat of [[Honduras national football team|Honduras]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285092|title=France 3-0 Honduras|date=15 June 2014|access-date=21 June 2014|work=BBC}}</ref> In the second match, Matuidi scored his first goal in a competitive international as ''Les Bleus'' beat [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] 5–2 and qualified for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup knockout stage|knockout stage]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285207|title=Switzerland 2-5 France|date=20 June 2014|access-date=21 June 2014|work=BBC}}</ref>

In May 2016, Matuidi was named by national side manager Deschamps to France's [[UEFA Euro 2016 squads#France|23-man squad]] for [[UEFA Euro 2016|Euro 2016]], hosted on home soil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/pogba-leads-france-squad-euro-2016-schneiderlin-and-ben-arfa-miss-out#:wx78ZHCGIE8bVA|title=Pogba leads France squad for Euro 2016 as Schneiderlin and Ben Arfa miss out|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=12 May 2016|access-date=16 May 2016}}</ref> On 3 July, Matuidi assisted [[Olivier Giroud]]'s opening goal in the quarter-finals of the tournament at the Stade de France, as the host nation defeated [[Iceland national football team|Iceland]] 5–2.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fletcher|first1=Paul|title=France 5–2 Iceland|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36632457|access-date=3 July 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 July 2016}}</ref> He started in the [[UEFA Euro 2016 Final|final]] of the tournament on 10 July, where France suffered a 1–0 extra-time defeat to [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2017907--portugal-vs-france/|title=Portugal 1–0 France|publisher=UEFA|first1=Joseph|last1=Walker|first2=David|last2=Crossan|date=10 July 2016|access-date=11 July 2016}}</ref>

On 17 May 2018, he was called up to the 23-man France national squad for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] in [[Russia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12025/11376691/alexandre-lacazette-and-anthony-martial-on-standby-for-france-world-cup-squad-and-dimitri-payet-out|title=Alexandre Lacazette and Anthony Martial on standby for France World Cup squad and Dimitri Payet out|publisher=Sky Sports|author=Andy Charles|date=18 May 2018|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref> On 15 July, Matuidi started out of position on the left wing in France's 4–2 victory against [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] in the [[2018 FIFA World Cup Final|final]] of the tournament.<ref name="McNulty"/>

==Style of play==
Described as a "fierce and strong tackler",<ref name="Blaise Matuidi: Most Improved Players">{{cite news|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1585120-20-most-improved-players-in-2012-13/page/2|title=Blaise Matuidi: Most Improved Players|date= 28 March 2013|access-date=7 April 2013|work=Ed Dove, Bleacher Report }}</ref> with good defensive attributes, Matuidi was known in particular for his energy, work-rate, mobility, tenacity, and physical strength, as well as his discipline, positional sense, and tactical intelligence, which enabled him to excel in a [[Midfielder#Defensive midfielder|holding role]] as a ball-winner in [[Midfielder|midfield]], due to his ability to close down spaces, intercept loose balls, or break down possession. Despite not being particularly skilful or gifted from a technical standpoint, he was a versatile and well-rounded team player, who was capable of playing in several other midfield positions, and was known for his ability to carry, distribute the ball, and start attacking plays after winning back possession, often acting as a [[Midfielder#Box-to-box midfielder|box-to-box player]] in the [[Midfielder#Central midfielder|centre]] of the pitch. His movement on the pitch also allowed him to contribute to his team's offensive play, as it often drew opponents out of position, and in turn created space for his teammates. He was also capable of making effective attacking runs into the box and scoring goals, which saw him deployed in a more offensive, left-sided central midfield role during his time with Juventus under manager [[Massimiliano Allegri]], a position known as the ''[[Midfielder#Mezzala|mezzala]]'' or ''incursore'' role in Italian football jargon. Although his main influence was Claude Makélélé, his playing style was also compared to that of [[Jean Tigana]].<ref name="platform"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/05/24/euro-2016-top-50-players-number-43-blaise-matuidi/|title=Euro 2016 Top 50 Players: Number 44 Blaise Matuidi|publisher=HITC.com|author1=Sarad Bade Shrestha|date=24 May 2016|access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/90067/verratti-matuidi-right-juve |title=Verratti: 'Matuidi right for Juve' |publisher=Football Italia |date=20 August 2016 |access-date=6 June 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.juventus.com/it/news/news/2017/matuidi---bianconero-.php |title=Matuidi è bianconero! |publisher=Juventus F.C. |language=it |date=18 August 2017 |access-date=3 September 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/juve-matuidi-e-un-flop-da-ottobre-23681 |title=Juve, Matuidi è un flop da ottobre |publisher=www.calciomercato.com |language=it |author1=Emanuele Tramacere |date=7 March 2019 |access-date=5 April 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Mario Frongia |date=8 January 2018 |title=Cori razzisti contro Matuidi: tweet di scuse della società |trans-title=Racist chants against Matuidi: club's apology tweet. |url=http://www.lanuovasardegna.it/sport/2018/01/08/news/cori-razzisti-contro-matuidi-tweet-di-scuse-della-societa-1.16329404 |access-date=5 April 2019 |publisher=La Nuova Sardegna |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/107043/matuidi-wrong-man-juve |title=Matuidi wrong man for Juve |publisher=Football Italia |last1=Van Genechten |first1=Vincent |date=2 August 2017 |access-date=27 June 2020 }}</ref>

During the 2018 World Cup, Matuidi was also deployed in a new position for France under manager Deschamps, playing out wide, rather than in the centre, as a left-sided [[Midfielder#Winger|winger]] or [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]] in a 4–2–3–1 formation. In this system, he proved to be equally effective, in spite of his unorthodox playing role, as he was able to track back and limit the attacking threat of the opposing full-backs on the flank. Moreover, he also often tucked into the centre, in order to help support [[Paul Pogba]] and [[N'Golo Kanté]] defensively, which also helped minimise the amount of space given to the main playmakers of France's opponents throughout the tournament, and ultimately helped to nullify their impact on the game. Furthermore, Matuidi's more defensive role on the left flank provided balance within the team, as it in turn gave [[Kylian Mbappé]] the licence to attack and run at defences from the right wing.<ref name="platform">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/world-cup-2018-france-vs-argentina-blaise-matuidi-kylian-mbappe-lionel-messi-a8426281.html |title=World Cup 2018: How Blaise Matuidi laid the platform for Kylian Mbappe to put in the performance of the tournament |work=The Independent |author1=Michael Cox |date=2 July 2018 |access-date=11 July 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/world-cup-2018-france-vs-belgium-analysis-nacer-chadli-exposed-defence-attack-tactics-a8441666.html |title=World Cup 2018: How France exposed Nacer Chadli and turned defence into attack to nullify Belgium's flair |work=The Independent |author1=Michael Cox |date=11 July 2018 |access-date=11 July 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.squawka.com/en/news/blaise-matudi-starts-left-wing-as-didier-deschamps-names-odd-side-to-face-peru/1043089#W71VxybS5jwFfELX.97 |title=Blaise Matudi starts left-wing as Didier Deschamps names odd side to face Peru |publisher=Squawka |author1=Steve Jennings |date=21 June 2018 |access-date=11 July 2018 }}</ref> He was also used in a similar role by Allegri at Juventus.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.juventus.com/it/news/news/2018/blaise-matuidi---campione-del-mondo-.php |title=Blaise Matuidi è campione del mondo! |publisher=Juventus F.C. |language=it |date=15 July 2018 |access-date=5 April 2019 }}</ref> A left-footed player, Matuidi was also used in a more defensive role along the left flank on occasion, as a [[Defender (association football)#Full-back|left-back]], in particular under manager [[Maurizio Sarri]] during his time at Juventus.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/144638/matuidi-becomes-juve-left-back |title=Matuidi 'becomes Juve left-back' |publisher=Football Italia |date=27 September 2019 |access-date=28 September 2019 }}</ref> Beyond his qualities as a player, he also stood out for his consistency<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/news/verratti-hopeful-matuidi-will-stay-psg |title=Verratti hopeful that Matuidi will stay at PSG |publisher=FourFourTwo |date=20 August 2016 |access-date=27 June 2020 }}</ref> and mentality.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thescore.com/fran/news/1081188 |title=Motta advises Matuidi to stay at PSG |date=19 August 2016 |publisher=The Score |access-date=27 June 2020 }}</ref><ref name="A Closer Look">{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/734737-arsenal-fc-and-liverpool-fc-target-blaise-matuidi-a-closer-look |title=Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC Target Blaise Matuidi: A Closer Look |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Almeras |first1=Christopher |date=14 June 2011 |access-date=27 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/117975/matuidi-juventus-improved-me |title=Matuidi: 'Juventus improved me' |publisher=Football Italia |date=3 March 2018 |access-date=27 June 2020 }}</ref> In 2011, Christopher Almeras of ''[[Bleacher Report]]'' described Matuidi as one of the best ball-winners in Europe.<ref name="A Closer Look"/>

==Personal life==
In April 2014, Matuidi's residence in [[Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche]] was burglarized while he was playing in a match for PSG against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Julien |first=Constant |date=2016-11-08 |title=Yvelines : un des cambrioleurs de Matuidi arrêté par les gendarmes |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/yvelines-un-des-cambrioleurs-de-matuidi-arrete-par-les-gendarmes-08-11-2016-6303357.php |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=leparisien.fr |language=fr-FR}}</ref>

Rapper [[Niska (rapper)|Niska]] paid tribute to Matuidi by creating the song "Matuidi Charo (PSG)" and dance of the Charo, dance of the vulture, which was then popularised on the football field by Matuidi.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sherbrooktimes.com/even-neymar-has-paid-tribute-to-matuidi-video/76 |title=sherbrooktimes.com : The tribute of Neymar to Matuidi |access-date=22 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822181239/https://sherbrooktimes.com/even-neymar-has-paid-tribute-to-matuidi-video/76 |archive-date=22 August 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 August 2017 |title=Ligue 1 : Neymar enchante le Parc des Princes |trans-title=Ligue 1: Neymar dazzles the Parc des Princes. |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/ligue-1/article/2017/08/20/ligue-1-neymar-reussit-ses-premiers-pas-au-parc-des-princes_5174458_1616940.html |newspaper=Le Monde.fr |via=Le Monde}}</ref>

In May 2016, he released his autobiography, "Au bout de mes rêves", written in collaboration with Ludovic Pinton (publishers Solar {{OCLC|953083014}}).<ref>{{cite book |title=AU BOUT DE MES REVES |id={{ASIN|2263073396|country=ca}} }}</ref>

In 2018, he was named champion of the year and champion for peace by the organisation [[Peace and Sport]], for his work with his organisation 'Tremplin Blaise Matuidi' which helps the reintegration of youths from the suburbs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fff.fr/|title=Fédération Française de Football|website=www.fff.fr}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="SW">{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/blaise-matuidi/1188/|title=B. Matuidi|website=Soccerway|access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National Cup{{efn|Includes [[Coupe de France]], [[Coppa Italia]], and [[U.S. Open Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|League Cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Troyes AC|Troyes]]
|[[2004–05 Ligue 2|2004–05]]
|[[Ligue 2]]
|2||0||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||0
|-
|[[2005–06 Ligue 1|2005–06]]
|[[Ligue 1]]
|31||1||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31||1
|-
|[[2006–07 Troyes AC season|2006–07]]
|Ligue 1
|34||3||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||35||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!67!!4!!1!!0!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!69!!4
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[AS Saint-Étienne|Saint-Étienne]]
|[[2007–08 Ligue 1|2007–08]]
|Ligue 1
|35||0||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||37||0
|-
|[[2008–09 Ligue 1|2008–09]]
|Ligue 1
|27||2||2||0||1||0||9{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||39||2
|-
|[[2009–10 Ligue 1|2009–10]]
|Ligue 1
|36||1||3||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||41||1
|-
|[[2010–11 Ligue 1|2010–11]]
|Ligue 1
|34||0||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||37||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!132!!3!!7!!0!!6!!0!!9!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!154!!3
|-
|rowspan="8"|[[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]]
|[[2011–12 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season|2011–12]]
|Ligue 1
|29||1||2||0||0||0||4{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||35||1
|-
|[[2012–13 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season|2012–13]]
|Ligue 1
|37||5||4||1||2||0||9{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||2||colspan="2"|—||52||8
|-
|[[2013–14 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season|2013–14]]
|Ligue 1
|36||5||2||0||4||1||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||1{{efn|name=TDC|Appearance in [[Trophée des Champions]]}}||0||52||7
|- 
|[[2014–15 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season|2014–15]]
|Ligue 1
|34||4||5||0||4||0||10{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||0||0||53||5
|- 
|[[2015–16 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season|2015–16]]
|Ligue 1
|31||4||5||1||2||0||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=TDC}}||0||48||5
|-
|[[2016–17 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season|2016–17]]
|Ligue 1
|34||4||6||1||4||0||8{{efn|name=UCL}}||2||0||0||52||7
|-
|[[2017–18 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season|2017–18]]
|Ligue 1
|2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=TDC}}||0||3||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!203!!23!!24!!3!!16!!1!!49!!6!!3!!0!!295!!33
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Juventus FC|Juventus]]
|[[2017–18 Juventus FC season|2017–18]]
|[[Serie A]]
|32||3||5||0||colspan="2"|—||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||colspan="2"|—||46||4
|-
|[[2018–19 Juventus FC season|2018–19]]
|Serie A
|31||3||1||0||colspan="2"|—||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=SCI|Appearance in [[Supercoppa Italiana]]}}||0||42||3
|-
|[[2019–20 Juventus FC season|2019–20]]
|Serie A
|35||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||1{{efn|name=SCI}}||0||45||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!98!!6!!10!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!23!!2!!2!!0!!133!!8
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Inter Miami CF|Inter Miami]]
|[[2020 Inter Miami CF season|2020]]
|[[Major League Soccer]]
|15||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|Appearance in [[MLS Cup Playoffs]]}}||0||16||1
|-
|[[2021 Inter Miami CF season|2021]]
|Major League Soccer
|32||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||32||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!47!!2!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!1!!0!!48!!2
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!547!!38!!42!!3!!23!!1!!81!!8!!6!!0!!699!!50
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
[[File:France midfielder Blaise Matuidi and England midfielder Dele Alli (23125466531).jpg|thumb|right|Matuidi (left) marking [[England national football team|England]]'s [[Dele Alli]] while on French international duty, 2015]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="Matuidi, Blaise NFT">{{NFT player|id=39482|name=Matuidi, Blaise|access-date = 11 June 2014}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="10"|[[France national football team|France]]
|2010||1||0
|-
|2011||3||0
|-
|2012||5||0
|-
|2013||10||0
|-
|2014||13||4
|-
|2015||9||2
|-
|2016||14||2
|-
|2017||7||1
|-
|2018||15||0
|-
|2019||7||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!84!!9
|}

''France score listed first, score column indicates score after each Matuidi goal.''<ref name="SW"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
|-
!scope=col|No.
!scope=col|Date
!scope=col|Venue
!scope=col|Cap
!scope=col|Opponent
!scope=col|Score
!scope=col|Result
!scope=col|Competition
|-
!scope=row|1
|5 March 2014||[[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]], France||align=center | 20||{{fb|NED}}||align=center | 2–0||align=center | 2–0||[[Exhibition game#Association football|Friendly]]
|-
!scope=row|2
|rowspan=2|8 June 2014||rowspan=2|[[Stade Pierre-Mauroy]], [[Villeneuve-d'Ascq]], France||rowspan=2 align=center | 23||rowspan=2|{{fb|JAM}}||align=center | 2–0||rowspan=2 align=center | 8–0||rowspan=2|Friendly
|-
!scope=row|3
|align=center | 6–0
|-
!scope=row|4
|20 June 2014||[[Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova]], [[Salvador, Bahia|Salvador]], Brazil||align=center | 25||{{fb|SUI}}||align=center | 2–0||align=center | 5–2||[[2014 FIFA World Cup Group E|2014 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
!scope=row|5
|rowspan=2|7 September 2015||rowspan=2|[[Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux]], [[Bordeaux]], France||rowspan=2 align=center | 37||rowspan=2|{{fb|SRB}}||align=center | 1–0||rowspan=2 align=center | 2–1||rowspan=2|Friendly
|-
!scope=row|6
|align=center | 2–0
|-
!scope=row|7
|25 March 2016||[[Amsterdam Arena]], [[Amsterdam-Zuidoost]], Netherlands||align=center | 42||{{fb|NED}}||align=center | 3–2||align=center | 3–2||Friendly
|-
!scope=row|8
|30 May 2016||[[Stade de la Beaujoire]], [[Nantes]], France||align=center | 43||{{fb|CMR}}||align=center | 1–0||align=center | 3–2||Friendly
|-
!scope=row|9
|7 October 2017||[[Vasil Levski National Stadium]], [[Sofia]], Bulgaria||align=center | 59||{{fb|BUL}}||align=center | 1–0||align=center | 1–0||[[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group A|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|}

==Honours==
[[File:Paris Saint-Germain, vainqueur Coupe de la Ligue 2014.JPG|thumb|Matuidi (centre) after winning the [[2013–14 Coupe de la Ligue|Coupe de la Ligue 2014]]]]

'''Paris Saint-Germain'''<ref name="SW"/>
*[[Ligue 1]]: [[2012–13 Ligue 1|2012–13]], [[2013–14 Ligue 1|2013–14]], [[2014–15 Ligue 1|2014–15]], [[2015–16 Ligue 1|2015–16]]
*[[Coupe de France]]: [[2014–15 Coupe de France|2014–15]], [[2015–16 Coupe de France|2015–16]], [[2016–17 Coupe de France|2016–17]]
*[[Coupe de la Ligue]]: [[2013–14 Coupe de la Ligue|2013–14]], [[2015 Coupe de la Ligue Final|2014–15]], [[2016 Coupe de la Ligue Final|2015–16]], [[2016–17 Coupe de la Ligue|2016–17]]
*[[Trophée des Champions]]: [[2013 Trophée des Champions|2013]], [[2014 Trophée des Champions|2014]], [[2015 Trophée des Champions|2015]], [[2016 Trophée des Champions|2016]], [[2017 Trophée des Champions|2017]]

'''Juventus'''<ref name="SW"/>
*[[Serie A]]: [[2017–18 Serie A|2017–18]], [[2018–19 Serie A|2018–19]], [[2019–20 Serie A|2019–20]]
*[[Coppa Italia]]: [[2017–18 Coppa Italia|2017–18]]
*[[Supercoppa Italiana]]: [[2018 Supercoppa Italiana|2018]]

'''France'''
*[[FIFA World Cup]]: [[2018 FIFA World Cup|2018]]<ref name="McNulty">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44754965|title=France 4–2 Croatia|publisher=BBC |date=15 July 2018|access-date=15 July 2018|last=McNulty|first=Phil}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*[[Trophées UNFP du football|Ligue 1 Team of the Year]]: 2012–13,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://frenchfootballweekly.com/2013/05/20/201213-unfp-awards/|publisher=French Football Weekly|title=2012/13 UNFP Awards|access-date=12 July 2012}}</ref> 2015–16
*[[French Player of the Year]]: 2015<ref name="RSSSF">{{cite web|first1=Erik |last1=Garin |first2=José Luis |last2=Pierrend |title=France – Footballer of the Year |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=8 January 2015 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/franpoy.html |access-date=13 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905115225/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/franpoy.html |archive-date=5 September 2015}}</ref>
*[[Globe Soccer Awards|Globe Soccer Awards Player Career Award]]: 2018<ref name=GSA>{{cite web|url=http://www.globesoccer.com/awards/walloffame/|title=Wall of Fame|publisher=Globe Soccer.com|access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref>

'''Orders'''
*[[Knight of the Legion of Honour]]: 2018<ref name=Legion/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{LFP}}
* {{Lequipe}}
* {{FFF player|8779-matuidi-blaise}}
* {{FFF male player|2543043782|archive=}}

{{Navboxes
| title = France squads
| bg = #002395
| fg = white
| bordercolor = #ED2939
| list1 = 
{{France squad UEFA Euro 2012}}
{{France squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
{{France squad UEFA Euro 2016}}
{{France squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 = 
{{2012–13 Ligue 1 UNFP Team of the Year}}
{{2015–16 Ligue 1 UNFP Team of the Year}}
{{France Football French Player of the Year}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Matuidi, Blaise}}
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:French sportspeople of Angolan descent]]
[[Category:French sportspeople of Democratic Republic of the Congo descent]]
[[Category:Black French sportspeople]]
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[[Category:Knights of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Designated Players (MLS)]]
[[Category:Footballers from Val-de-Marne]]
[[Category:Association football people awarded knighthoods]]
[[Category:People from Fontenay-sous-Bois]]
[[Category:21st-century French sportsmen]]