# Frédéric Kanouté

> Malian-French footballer (born 1977)

**Wikidata**: [Q218394](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218394)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frédéric_Kanouté)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/frederic-kanoute

## Summary

Frédéric Kanouté is a Malian-French former professional footballer born in 1977 who played as a forward during a career spanning from 1997 to 2013. He is notable for representing both Mali and France in international football and for his club career primarily in France and Spain.

## Biography

- **Born:** 1977 (specific date and place not provided in source material)
- **Nationality:** Malian, French
- **Known for:** Professional association football career as a forward
- **Field(s):** Association Football (Soccer)
- **Work Period:** 1997–2013 (16 years)

## Contributions

Frédéric Kanouté built his career as a professional footballer, playing the sport at the highest levels during his 16-year professional career from 1997 to 2013. As a dual national of Mali and France, he represented both countries in international competition, making him one of the notable Malian internationals to play at the professional level. His career encompassed club football where he played in French and Spanish leagues, developing a reputation as a forward with significant goal-scoring ability.

## FAQs

**What position did Frédéric Kanouté play?**
Frédéric Kanouté played as a forward throughout his professional career.

**Which countries did Frédéric Kanouté represent internationally?**
He represented both Mali and France in international football, having dual nationality of both nations.

**When did Frédéric Kanouté play professional football?**
His professional career spanned from 1997 to 2013, a 16-year period.

**What is Frédéric Kanouté's full name?**
His full name is Frédéric Oumar Kanouté.

## Why They Matter

Frédéric Kanouté matters as one of the prominent Malian-French footballers who bridged two footballing nations. His dual nationality and international representation for Mali specifically contributed to the development and visibility of Malian football on the global stage. During an era when African footballers were increasingly making their mark in European leagues, Kanouté's career demonstrated the growing internationalization of football talent from West Africa. His 16-year professional career from 1997 to 2013 reflects sustained excellence at a professional level, and his forward position required the goal-scoring consistency that defined his career.

## Notable For

- Dual international representation for Mali and France
- 16-year professional football career (1997–2013)
- Forward position specialist
- Malian-French nationality
- Played in French and Spanish leagues

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Frédéric Oumar Kanouté was born in 1977 to Malian and French parents, giving him dual nationality from birth. This dual heritage would define both his personal identity and his international football career, as he would go on to represent both nations at the senior international level.

### International Career

As a dual national, Kanouté had the opportunity to represent either Mali or France in international competition. He ultimately chose to represent Mali, the country of his paternal heritage, at the senior international level. This decision made him part of a select group of Malian internationals who played at the highest professional levels in Europe, helping to raise the profile of Malian football internationally.

### Club Career

Kanouté's professional career began in 1997 and lasted until 2013, giving him a 16-year professional football career. During this time, he played as a forward for clubs in France and Spain. His position as a forward required consistent goal-scoring ability, and his career trajectory reflected the trajectory of many African footballers of his generation who moved from their home countries to European leagues to pursue professional careers at the highest levels of the sport.

### Legacy and Influence

Frédéric Kanouté's career represents the increasing globalization of football and the movement of West African talent to European leagues. His dual nationality case was not uncommon among French-born players of African descent, and his choice to represent Mali rather than France contributed to the development of Malian football's international presence. His 16-year career demonstrated longevity and consistency in a competitive professional sport, and his forward position placed him at the center of his team's attacking strategies throughout his career.

## References

1. Argentine Soccer Database
2. Transfermarkt
3. BDFutbol
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. UEFA.com
6. [Source](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur2737.html)