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Here is everything you need to know about World Cup-winning defender Mendy, including his case with former club Manchester City.
In 2017, Benjamin Mendy made a record-breaking transfer to Manchester City, becoming the most expensive defender in history, while he has also represented France at the international level, winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
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Despite his talent and achievements, his career has been overshadowed by off-field issues, leading to a challenging period in recent years.
Pulse Sports has taken time to gather all the necessary information about the defender for your reading pleasure.
Benjamin Mendy Background
Born in Longjumeau, France, to Mendy Snr. Benjamin and Monique Mendy, who are originally from Cote d'Ivoire but settled in France.
The defender’s career kicked off at Le Havre's youth academy, and he represented the club's reserve team in 2010.
However, his blossoming talent was quickly noticed, and he earned promotion to the first team a year later.
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Mendy remained at Le Havre until 2013, before making his first switch to Marseille, then Monaco, where he truly shone before earning a move to Manchester City in what was one of the biggest moves at the time.
The defender enjoyed a good time at City initially, before the unfortunate allegations of sexual offences sprung up, marking the beginning of the decline of his career.
Mendy has had to battle court cases for the better part of the last three years, and this has affected his club and international career in a big way.
How old is Benjamin Mendy? (Benjamin Mendy age)
The defender was born on 17 July 1994. Therefore, as of November 2024, he is 30 years of age.
Benjamin Mendy Club Career
As mentioned earlier, Mendy's footballing journey began at Le Havre, where he developed his skills in the club's youth academy.
His impressive performances for the youth teams earned him a promotion to the senior squad in 2011. During his time at Le Havre, Mendy showcased his attacking flair, often overlapping with the winger and providing dangerous crosses into the box.
In 2013, Mendy's talent attracted the attention of Olympique de Marseille, who secured his signature. At Marseille, he continued to develop his defensive abilities while maintaining his attacking threat, earning him a place on the 40-man shortlist for the 2014 Golden Boy award.
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His consistent performances for Marseille caught the eye of AS Monaco, who signed him in 2016 on a five-year contract.
Mendy's time at Monaco was a period of significant growth. He played a vital role in the club's Ligue 1 title-winning campaign in the 2016-17 season, showcasing his ability to defend resolutely and contribute to the attack.
The fullback provided four assists in the UEFA Champions League as Monaco made a run to the semi-finals before getting eliminated by Juventus. He was later named to the 2017 UNFP Team of the Year, along with five of his teammates.
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His impressive performances during that season led to a record-breaking transfer to Manchester City in 2017 for a fee reported to be £52 million. The transfer fee surpassed the previous record for a defender, which had been set just ten days earlier by City for their teammate Kyle Walker.
However, he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee a few months into his time at City, and he underwent surgery in Barcelona, which kept him off the pitch for seven months.
On his return from injury, Mendy went ahead to establish himself as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League with his attacking flair, pace, and crossing ability.
He played a key role in Manchester City's domestic dominance, winning multiple Premier League titles and domestic cups. However, his time at the club was marred by legal issues that led to his suspension and eventual release in 2023.
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After his departure from Manchester City following legal issues and a 23-month absence from professional football, Mendy returned to France to join Ligue 1 club Lorient. The move marked a significant turning point in his career as he sought to rebuild his reputation and regain his form.
At Lorient, Mendy has been given the opportunity to rediscover his love for the game and contribute to the team's success.
Benjamin Mendy Rape Accusations and Acquittals
The defender faced a series of serious sexual assault charges in 2021 and 2022, which brought an end to his time at Manchester City.
He was arrested in August 2021 and charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault against several women.
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Mendy's legal battles unfolded over a lengthy period. He was initially denied bail and spent several months in custody. As the case progressed, additional charges were brought against him. In May 2022, he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His high-profile trial began in August 2022. The jury, comprised of 14 individuals, was tasked with determining his guilt or innocence. After several weeks of deliberation, the jury delivered a mixed verdict. Mendy was acquitted of several charges, but the jury could not reach a verdict on others.
A retrial was subsequently ordered for the remaining charges. In June 2023, Mendy faced a new jury and was ultimately acquitted of all remaining charges.
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Following his acquittal, Mendy received public support from several fellow footballers. However, he also faced significant career implications, as Manchester City suspended him during the legal proceedings.
In a surprising turn of events, Mendy initiated legal action against Manchester City in November 2023. He filed an employment tribunal claim, alleging that the club had unlawfully withheld his wages during his imprisonment.
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Mendy argued that he was entitled to receive the majority of his unpaid salary. In November 2024, an Employment Tribunal ruled in his favour, granting him the majority of his unpaid wages.
Benjamin Mendy International Career
Mendy represented France at the youth level, playing at the under-16 and under-17 levels.
He also played in the under-17 level and was part of the team that reached the quarterfinals at the 2011 U-17 World Cup in Mexico.
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In 2017, Mendy was invited to represent the France senior team, and he made his debut on 25 March 2017 against Luxembourg in a 2018 World Cup qualification match.
He impressed the coaching crew and was subsequently included in the squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
He played 40 minutes as a substitute in a goalless group game against Denmark as France won the tournament.
Benjamin Mendy Achievements
Marseille
Coupe de France runner-up: 2015-16
Monaco
Ligue 1: 2016-17
Coupe de la Ligue runner-up: 2016-17
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Manchester City
Premier League: 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21
EFL Cup: 2019-20, 2020-21
FA Community Shield: 2018
UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2020-21
France
FIFA World Cup: 2018
Individual
UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2016-17
Orders
Knight of the Legion of Honour: 2018
Benjamin Mendy Salary
According to online sources, Mendy earns just over £61,000 weekly at Lorient.
During his time at Manchester City, he earned £90,000, which the club withheld during his trials. However, the courts have ruled that the club pay him £11.5 million in wage arrears.
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Benjamin Mendy Net Worth
According to several sources, Mendy was worth about £25 million before his court issues.
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However, he is currently estimated to be worth $12 million by Celebrity Net Worth.The reason for the drop is likely due to a lack of earnings during his court case, given that salaries and endorsements were withheld.
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