From Kylian Mbappe to Bernardo Silva: What happened to Monaco’s 2016/17 Ligue 1 winners?
One of France’s most historic clubs, Monaco are just one year away from reaching a century of their existence, and they are one of the country’s most successful sides in the league.
Only Paris Saint-Germain (11), Saint-Etienne (10) and Marseille (9) have won the French top flight more times than Monaco’s eight, with the last coming in 2016/17.
It feels like a lifetime ago given what has transpired since but that Monegasque side led by Leonardo Jardim was chock-full of talent and they came so close to reaching a second Champions League final.
Then the inevitable happened, and Monaco was ripped apart in the proceeding months, but what of some of the star-studded names, where are they now? We’ve taken a look.
Danijel Subasic
Career path: Zadar, Hajduk Split, Monaco, Hajduk Split
Monaco appearances: 292
By the 2016/17 season Danijel Subasic had been a regular feature in Monaco’s team and, from his second year onwards, their number one between the sticks. He’d feature in all but two of their league matches, registering 17 clean sheets in the process, whilst only shipping 28 goals (or 0.8 per game).
Subasic — who previously turned out for Hajduk Split and NK Zadar in his native Croatia — would remain in the principality for another three seasons before leaving in 2020, after nearly making 300 appearances for the club.
After a year out, Subasic made his return to football by re-signing for Hajduk Split in the summer of 2021 to play a supporting role, but he’s since hanged up the gloves.
Djibril Sidibe
Career path: Troyes, Lille, Monaco, Everton (loan), AEK Athens
Monaco appearances: 174
A graduate of Troyes, his hometown club, Sidibe ended up at Monaco after enjoying a modest run at Lille where he quickly became renowned for having a keen eye for goal.
Joining a forward-thinking Monaco side just ahead of their championship-winning season aided his development but the French full-back, who has won 18 international caps to date, would soon fall out of favour, subsequently joining Everton on loan in 2019.
Sidibe returned to Monaco and became a mainstay once again, particularly under Niko Kovac, but the era came to an end last when he joined AEK Athens.
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Jemerson
Career path: Atletico Mineiro, Democrata (loan), Monaco, Corinthians, Metz, Atletico Mineiro
Monaco appearances: 153
It was good timing on Jemerson’s part to sign for Monaco a season before their breakthrough. A bit-part player when he initially joined, Jemerson soon became one of the first names on Jardim’s team sheet, scoring two goals across 34 outings.
Having stayed with the club another three seasons, the two-capped Brazil international returned to his homeland in November 2020, joining Corinthians on a permanent deal.
However, Jemerson didn’t last a year at Corinthians before leaving and, after a brief spell back in France with Metz, the Brazilian is once again back across the Atlantic, returning to familiar pastures with Atletico Mineiro.
Kamil Glik
Career path: Silesia Lubomia (loan), Horadada, Real Madrid C, Piast Gliwice, Palermo, Bari (loan), Torino, Monaco, Benevento, Cracovia
Monaco appearances: 167
The heartbeat of this Monaco side, Glik was another signed just before their 2016/17 campaign got underway, and the Pole — once on Real Madrid’s books — soon became their undisputed leader at the back and marshalled Jardim’s defence like a general.
He remained for another three years after their unexpected triumph before swapping the glitz and glamour of Monte Carlo for newly-promoted Serie A side Benevento in 2020, staying with them as they dropped back to the second tier before leaving for Cracovia in his native Poland.
Bernardo Silva
Career path: Benfica, Monaco, Manchester City
Monaco appearances: 147
Bernardo Silva was perhaps one of the unheralded stars of Monaco’s title-winning side, having joined the French team from Benfica, although never quite broke through at Primeira Liga giants.
His final Ligue 1 campaign for Monaco saw him bag eight goals across 37 outings whilst creating a further nine alerting the attention of Manchester City.
Since linking up with Pep Guardiola he’s been nothing short of a revelation and he was phenomenal in 2021/22 to help secure yet another league title, having not even wanted to stay at Man City at the start of the campaign. Whenever he does go, he’ll leave Man City a club legend.
Fabinho
Career path: Fluminense, Rio Ave, Real Madrid Castilla (loan), Real Madrid (loan), Monaco, Liverpool, Al-Ittihad
Monaco appearances: 233
Not everyone left Monaco immediately following their championship-winning campaign, Fabinho notably remained for a further year before joining the Jurgen Klopp revolution at Liverpool.
It took some time but the Brazilian was among the most important players under the German tactician and one of the best midfielders in the Premier League before leaving for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad this past summer.
His time in Monaco initially began on loan from Rio Ave, who previously sent him on a temporary stay to Real Madrid, where he made a single league appearance.
Joao Moutinho
Career path: Sporting CP, FC Porto, Monaco, Wolves, Braga
Monaco appearances: 219
A decorated winner at boyhood club Sporting CP and FC Porto — where he lifted three Portuguese titles — it was a massive coup for Monaco when they acquired the services of Moutinho who had long been on the wishlist for many super clubs.
He would, though, have to wait before getting his hands on championship gold as it came in his penultimate season. It wouldn’t be long before Moutinho moved on and it proved to be another eyebrow-raising transfer as the 146-time Portugal international joined Wolves where many of his compatriots are plying their trade.
Having turned 37 this year, Moutinho now finds himself at Braga.
Tiemoue Bakayoko
Career path: Rennes, Monaco, Chelsea, Milan (loan), Monaco (loan), Napoli (loan), Milan (loan), Lorient
Monaco appearances: 115
After humble beginnings at Rennes, where he only made 24 league appearances, Bakayoko made his way to Monaco slowly establishing himself as a presence in their midfield.
Strong competition for places meant he wasn’t always guaranteed a starting berth, though whenever Bakayoko turned out for Jardim he seldom put a foot wrong. These impressive showings, which earned comparisons with Yaya Toure, ultimately saw him seal a move to Chelsea but his time at Stamford Bridge hasn’t exactly turned out the way he wanted.
A spell on loan at AC Milan was followed by a similar move back to Monaco, before becoming a cog in Chelsea’s infamous loan machine, joining Napoli and then Milan again – winning the Serie A title with the latter in 2021/22 – though he’s since departed West London for Ligue 1 side Lorient
Thomas Lemar
Career path: Caen, Monaco, Atletico Madrid
Monaco appearances: 127
What made this Monaco side good to watch, aside from the power and creativity, was their emerging young stars.
Among them was speedy winger Thomas Lemar, who began his career at reputed talent developers Caen, and unexpectedly after Monaco’s sensational campaign, a who’s who in Europe were vying for his signature.
Liverpool and Arsenal were reportedly determined to bag him but in the end, Lemar opted for Atletico Madrid where he’s enjoyed a mixed time.
Kylian Mbappe
Career path: Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain
Monaco appearances: 60
Undisputedly the biggest star of this Monaco side was French football’s golden boy Kylian Mbappe who couldn’t help himself in breaking (and setting new) records across that campaign.
He finished his second-ever campaign at Monaco, where he rose up the ranks, with 15 goals across 29 league appearances. Being one of Europe’s hottest teenage sensations it wasn’t long before the giants of football were after his services.
Mbappe was keen to move, to develop himself further, and opted for regional powerhouse PSG which also happened to be located not far from where he grew up. Since relocating, Mbappe has continued to fulfil his destiny — becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer — and recently passed up a move to Real Madrid last year to renew at PSG.
Radamel Falcao
Career path: Lanceros Boyaca, River Plate, FC Porto, Atlético Madrid, Monaco, Manchester United (loan), Chelsea (loan), Galatasaray, Rayo Vallecano
Monaco appearances: 140
A lethal marksman in his heyday, supporters of FC Porto can attest to, Falcao was on everyone’s lips before signing for Monaco in 2013. A crippling knee injury during his first season subsequently forced him to miss the 2014 World Cup for Colombia and seemingly took away that aura which once put fear in defenders.
Soon after returning Falcao joined Manchester United and then Chelsea on loan — both spells were disappointing — before turning back the clock as his goals (21 in 29 games) fired Monaco to a first championship in 17 years.
He’s since moved on, now representing Rayo Vallecano in La Liga after a two-year stay with Turkish giants Galatasaray.
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