Djimi Traoré: From the Miracle in Istanbul to the 2019 MLS Cup to helping others have a Right to dream.

Djimi Traoré in 2005 became the 1st Malian player to ever win the Champions League in what was the 1 of the most memorable finals in the competition's whole history. After Crespo chipped it over Jerzy Dudek to end the 1st half most people thought it was over as a team had never overcome a 3-0 deficit in the CL final before. The fans however But after some subs and tactical adjustments Liverpool started playing some of the best ball it's ever played. This includes Djimi Traoré who started the whole game and redeemed himself for conceding the free kick that led to Paolo Maldini's goal in the opening minute by doing a goalline clearance to deny Andriy Shevchenko a likely winner after Liverpool with goals from Gerrard ( 54')
, Šmicer (56'
), Alonso (61') turned the game from 3-0 to 3-3. After extra time the game went to pen's where Dudek's heroics continued and he denied Milan several times to clench Liverpool a 3-2 win on pens and completing the "Miracle in Istanbul". Which wouldn't have been possible with Traoré's contributions and improved play. His time at Liverpool wasn't as smooth however.

He started at his home club of second division Laval before being bought by Liverpool in 1999 despite competition from Paris St Germain, AC Milan, Parma and Lazio. He was inspired by his brother to pursue a career in the world of soccer. And made his debut for the Reds on September, 14th, 1999 in a 5-1 win over Hull City in the League Cup only 3 years after he joined Lavel's academy. But his struggle to adapt to his new position of left back saw a anxiety build up in the young Malian-Frenchmen which hindered his performance. Which saw him only made 14 total appearances in his 1st two seasons with the historic but struggling (at the time) club. He was loaned back to his old home country of France to play with RC Lens for the 2001-02 season where he made 19 appearances and did great enough to justify a return to Liverpool FC.

In the 2002-03 he'd score his only goal for the club in the UEFA Cup against Romanian clubSteaua București. But it wasn't enough to impress the at the time manager Houllier and he was out of favor with the French manager by the end of the season. However it proved to be his last campaign as boss and Traore welcomed a change at the top: "A lot of the French players didn't have a chance to play and express themselves. We had to work twice as hard to play. In the end, I didn't trust him anymore. I was upset. So many times I knocked on his door saying I wanted to leave the club. It was frustrating because I didn't play. And nothing changed. If he would have stayed then I would not be at Liverpool anymore." 

Benítez immediately showed a lot more faith in the fullback. Even convincing Liverpool to keep him for the upcoming season instead of selling him. And unlike Houllier Benitez kept him at left back where he was most comfortable. In the 2005 Liverpool was eliminated in the FA Cup after he scored own goal in the 3rd round for a embarrassing exit. And unlike the CL final where he played all 120 minutes despite his 1st minute mistake eventually earning redemption. Traoré wasn't given a chance at that same redemption in the FA Cup as he was an unused substitute as Liverpool beatWest Ham United on penalties to win the 2006 FA Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium. And would be sold after that season.

After stints back and forth between different clubs in both France and England he made the decision to end his career in the emerald city, Seattle, Washington for 2013. He did plenty of work as he made 27 appearances for the team after a successful preseason trial. He had a amazing 1st goal for the club when he did a a 30 yard volley off the underside of the crossbar, during a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match against Tigres. And that was only 1 of many notable moments during his 2013 MLS season. He scored 94th minute winner in 1-0 win at Sporting KC. And he was named o MLSSoccer.com Team of the Week a team-high four times for his performances in week 4 (SJ), week 11 (SJ and KC), week 14 (CHV), and week 23 (DAL). And helped Sounders FC to a 12-8-5 record while in starting lineup. After a less phenomenal 2014 he decided to retire but then quickly went into a new chapter of his life but with the fans he described as being like the crowds in European.

Inspired by many of the great coaches he'd been led by in his career such as previously mentioned Rafa Benítez and Didier Deschamps a amazing player who led France from the sidelines as they won their 2nd ever WC in 2018. Harry Redknapp and of course Seattle's own Brian Schmetzer. Decided to give coaching a try himself and became a assistant coach for the Sounders in 2016. With a lot of help from old Liverpool manager Rafa Benítez, whom he was texting a lot for advice at the time and would later take a lot from his style especially. Due to his closeness with the Spaniard. Though he didn't consider being a coach until coming to Seattle.

Players like Yedlin kept asking him for his opinions and advice after years of experience in the top European leagues. Taking the mindset from many of the great managers he's worked with to always take something positive from whatever's happening no matter how grim it seems. There's nothing
Djimi Traore loved more than helping players and seeing his advice help those on the Sounders become better players. Such as fellow fullback DeAndre Yedlin. Even if it was the smallest piece of advice that helped them improved the smallest bit. Seeing that and hearing the player thank him for that was to him the whole reason he coaches.

His time as a Sounders assistant coach came at the same time as the peak of the Sounders success. As he appeared in 4 MLS Cup finals from 2016-2020 and of course won 2 of them in 2016 and 2019. Being part of the Sounders only 2 MLS Cup victories so far. He and fellow assistant coach Gonzalo Pineda being attributed as a crucial part of that success. Saying about the pair after they left. “While this is a day I thought may happen, it is not easy to say goodbye to such accomplished players like Djimi and Gonzo, who transformed stellar playing careers into becoming two of the best young coaches in MLS. I could not be happier for the new opportunities in front of them,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “They have been essential pieces of our club’s success, both on and off the pitch. I have so much respect for their effort and dedication to help this club achieve success. I know they will be successful in the next chapter of their coaching careers.”

After the 2021 season both Djimi and Gonzo would depart Gonzo would take a job at Atlanta United FC. But Traoré and his love of helping players develop and improve through his advice and his connection to Africa made him perfect for his next job. That being a coach in the Right to dream Academy. A private soccer academy to help develop talents in Ghana, a country that even after great success like a QF appearance in the 2010 WC. Have began to neglect resources needed to develop more great players for the great nation. Leaving it to private academies like Right to dream to develop Ghanaian talents. With the help of clubs like
FC Nordsjælland in Denmark, FC Masar in Egypt and now San Diego FC in the United States. As well as branches in Egypt. Djimi Traoré will always appreciate his time in Seattle and love the fans in the emerald city. “It is with heavy heart that I leave Seattle, a city that has treated me like one of its own since I joined Sounders FC in 2013,” said Traore. “I’d like to thank every teammate, coach and staff member over the years for making me a better professional. I have been fortunate to work for the best coach in MLS, and I learned so much from Brian and my fellow assistant coaches. This next opportunity is one I could not pass up, as it will allow me to further develop my professional skillset in new and exciting ways. Seattle will always be a second home to me, and I wish everyone in this organization the best going forward. Thank you to everyone in this city that welcomed my family and for showing us such a great experience in America.” Forever a Sounder Djimi Traoré
thanks a bunch for your great work and thanks a bunch to you for reading!