Papiss demba cisse biography
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He consistently wore jersey number 18 throughout his time with the Chinese outfit.
Number of Goals
In the Chinese Super League, Cissé continued to demonstrate his knack for finding the back of the net:
- 2016: 18 goals in 30 matches, immediately establishing himself in a new league
- 2017: 9 goals, contributing to the team’s attack despite increased competition
- 2018 (partial): Several goals before his mid-season transfer
His adaptation to the Chinese football style was impressive, with Cissé quickly becoming a fan favorite due to his work rate and finishing ability.
As fans and bookmakers track his career, his consistent goal-scoring ability has made him a compelling figure across European leagues and beyond.
Club Career
Throughout his extensive professional journey, Papiss Cisse has demonstrated remarkable versatility and consistency, adapting to various football cultures while maintaining his natural goal-scoring instinct.
A full international for Senegal from 2009 to 2015, Cissé represented the country at the 2012 and 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. In 2012–13, he scored 13 Premier League goals, contributing to Newcastle's strong campaign despite a demanding Europa League schedule.[36] However, the 2013–14 season saw him limited to just 2 league goals amid a dispute over Newcastle's shirt sponsorship by payday lender Wonga, which conflicted with his Muslim faith; after refusing to wear the branded kit during pre-season, he resolved the issue and returned to training but struggled for consistency.[37] Injuries further hampered him, including a fractured kneecap in May 2014 that sidelined him for several months into the next campaign.[38]Cissé's output continued to vary in 2014–15 and 2015–16, where he managed 6 and 3 Premier League goals respectively, often playing as a substitute due to persistent fitness issues, including a groin problem in late 2015.[36] Despite the inconsistencies, his early impact left a lasting legacy at Newcastle, remembered for injecting excitement into the attack and forging a strong bond with supporters through his passionate celebrations and key contributions during the club's push for European football.[39]
Shandong Luneng
In July 2016, Papiss Cissé transferred from Newcastle United to Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng for a reported fee of €5.85 million.[40] The move came shortly after Newcastle's relegation from the Premier League, marking Cissé's entry into Asian football at age 31.[7]Over the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Cissé adapted to the league, appearing in 31 Chinese Super League matches and scoring 16 goals, with 5 in 13 games during his partial debut year and 11 in 18 the following season.He donated new football kits to the Grainger Park Boys' Club in Newcastle, helping the underprivileged team continue their activities after facing financial difficulties.[61] Additionally, he auctioned a match-worn shirt to raise funds for Friends of Sedhiou, a charity supporting development projects in his hometown of Sédhiou, Senegal.[62]After retiring from professional football in 2023 (though he returned to playing in 2025), Cissé has channeled his efforts into philanthropy via the Papiss Demba Cissé Foundation, established to foster positive change in Senegal through education, health, and community programs.[63] A flagship initiative is the Papiss Cissé 9 Academy in Sédhiou, which provides football training and education to children and youth aged 5 to 18, aiming to develop future professional players while addressing local social needs.[64] The foundation collaborates with organizations like Human Appeal on multi-year projects, including gala events and funding for clean water infrastructure and sustainable farming to improve life in Senegalese communities as of 2025.[65]
Playing style and reception
Playing attributes
Papiss Cissé was renowned for his clinical finishing, particularly with his right foot, which allowed him to score a variety of goals including volleys, tap-ins, and long-range strikes during his time at clubs like Freiburg and Newcastle United.His output contributed to Shandong's competitive efforts, though challenges such as adjusting to a new tactical environment and limited English-speaking communication among teammates occasionally impacted team integration for foreign players like him.[41]By 2018, Cissé's role diminished to just 2 league appearances, largely due to the Chinese Super League's new regulations limiting foreign players to three per match, which intensified competition within the squad.[42] Seeking more consistent playing time, he departed the club on 31 August 2018, ending a two-year stint that included broader experiences of Chinese culture, such as exploring local customs and mentalities in Jinan.[43]
Later career in Turkey and France
After leaving Shandong Luneng in China, where he struggled with limited playing time and adaptation issues, Papiss Cissé returned to European football by signing a two-year contract with Turkish Süper Lig club Alanyaspor in August 2018.[44] In his debut season (2018–19), Cissé emerged as a key contributor, scoring 16 goals in 26 league appearances, helping Alanyaspor finish ninth in the Süper Lig.His form continued into the 2019–20 season, where he added 10 goals in 17 league matches before a mid-season transfer.In January 2020, Cissé joined Fenerbahçe on a free transfer, aiming to revive his career at a bigger club amid declining opportunities at Alanyaspor due to his advancing age of 34. With over 150 career goals across various leagues, his attacking prowess has been his defining attribute.
His status as one of Senegal’s notable footballing exports has helped pave the way for future generations of talents from the West African nation.While UEFA Champions League glory remained elusive, Cissé’s scoring achievements across multiple leagues demonstrated remarkable consistency worthy of Europe’s biggest stage.
| Season | Key Achievement | Impact |
| 2010-11 | 22 Bundesliga goals | Established as elite striker |
| 2011-12 | 13 goals in 14 PL matches | Spectacular Newcastle debut |
| 2016 | 18 goals in Chinese Super League | Successful adaptation to Asian football |
| 2019-20 | Multiple crucial goals for Alanyaspor | Continued relevance in Turkish football |
Expectations for the future
At 39 years of age and having recently joined Al-Qabila FC in March 2025, Papiss Cisse finds himself in the twilight of his playing career.
Before him are Simone Bolelli, John Francis Daley, Miyuki Sawashiro, Elly Schlein, Headhunterz, and Anna-Lena Grönefeld. The atmosphere in the stadium that day embodied the thrill of international football, with fans experiencing the full range of emotions as Cissé repeatedly found the back of the net, creating moments of collective jubilation that only sports can deliver.
The anticipation before each Senegal match featuring Cissé was palpable, with supporters and bets sport enthusiasts alike analyzing his form and matchup against opposing defenders.
In his next match on 12 August 2009, he came on as a substitute in a friendly against the Democratic Republic of the Congo and scored a brace to secure a 2–1 victory.[52] Over his international career spanning 2009 to 2015, he earned 34 caps and netted 17 goals for the Lions of Teranga, often serving as a key forward in the attack alongside players like Mamadou Niang and Moussa Sow.
He captained the team from 2012 to 2013.[53]His first major tournament appearance came at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, where Senegal advanced to the group stage but failed to progress further after drawing all three matches, with Cissé featuring in two games without scoring. Later, in Asia with Shandong Luneng and during returns to Europe, he transitioned into more of a team player, incorporating greater involvement in build-up play and pressing to contribute beyond just scoring.A notable aspect of his career was his effective partnership with Demba Ba at Newcastle United, where their similar attributes—pace, aerial prowess, and finishing—created a dynamic duo that complemented each other's movements and led to prolific scoring spells.
Legacy and impact
Papiss Cissé is widely regarded as a cult hero among Newcastle United supporters, primarily due to his explosive goal-scoring form upon arriving from SC Freiburg in January 2012, where he netted 13 goals in his first 12 appearances, propelling the club to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League.[66] This period sparked intense adoration from fans, often referred to as a wave of hero worship, with supporters creating chants such as the "Papiss Demba Cissé Bounce" to celebrate his flair and finishing ability during matches at St James' Park.[67] His refusal to wear the club's Wonga-sponsored kit in 2013, citing religious beliefs, further endeared him to many fans who admired his principles, solidifying his status as an icon despite later inconsistencies in form.[13]In Senegal, Cissé's journey from poverty—where he worked as a fisherman and ambulance driver as a teenager—to becoming a prominent forward in Europe's top leagues has positioned him as a role model for aspiring Senegalese strikers, inspiring a generation through his perseverance and international success with the national team at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 and 2015.[56] Following a disciplinary incident in 2015, Cissé publicly expressed his commitment to using his platform positively, aiming to encourage young fans, including those in his home country, to engage in sport and avoid negative behaviors.[68]Media coverage of Cissé's post-retirement activities in 2025 highlighted his enduring appeal, particularly when he emerged from retirement at age 40 to play for Wythenshawe Vets, a Sunday league side in England's Cheshire Veterans Football League, scoring all six goals in a match against Collegiate Old Boys.[69] Outlets praised the event as a nostalgic nod to his legacy, with reactions emphasizing how his "filthy" goals from the 2012 season remain etched in football memory, reinforcing his cult status even in semi-professional circles.[70] This comeback underscored the affectionate bond with Newcastle fans, who continue to view him as a beloved figure years after his departure.[71]Cissé's overall career narrative traces a path from relative obscurity in Senegal's domestic leagues to fleeting stardom in the Premier League, where his rapid rise at Newcastle transformed him into a lasting symbol of unpredictability and brilliance, leaving an indelible mark on both club folklore and African football representation abroad.[72]Career statistics
Club statistics
Papiss Cissé's club career, spanning from 2004 to the present, has seen him accumulate over 500 appearances and more than 200 goals in all competitions, showcasing his consistency as a forward across multiple countries and leagues.This period laid the foundation for what would become an impressive career trajectory, as the young striker began to develop the finishing abilities that would later define his playing style.
Clubs Played For
His club history spans multiple countries:
- FC Metz (France): 2005-2008
- SC Freiburg (Germany): 2009-2012
- Newcastle United (England): 2012-2016
- Shandong Luneng Taishan (China): 2016-2018
- Alanyaspor & Fenerbahçe (Turkey): 2018-2021
- Al-Qabila FC (Current): Joined March 2025
Each transfer represented not just a change of scenery but an evolution in Cissé’s career, as he adapted his game to different tactical systems and football philosophies.
In the 2022–23 season, he scored 10 goals in 30 league matches, offering glimpses of his finishing ability despite persistent injury problems that limited his consistency.[45] At 37, these health issues and reduced mobility signaled the twilight of his career, leading to his departure as a free agent in summer 2023.After departing Amiens SC in the summer of 2023, Papiss Cissé entered a two-year hiatus from professional football, effectively retiring from the sport to focus on personal endeavors, including the launch of the Cissé Foundation for education and youth sports in Senegal.[46]In March 2025, Cissé, then aged 39, signed with newly formed Al Qabila FC in the UAE Third Division, marking his unretirement after the extended break.[10][1]The move was prompted by an invitation from his former Newcastle United teammate Steven Taylor, who serves as a club ambassador, and Cissé's enduring passion for the game, which he described as an opportunity to contribute experience to a ambitious project built through social media in just one year.[47][48]Cissé quickly made an impact, scoring three goals in his initial appearances and helping stabilize the team's attack as a veteran forward wearing the number 18 shirt.[49]Under his influence, Al Qabila FC achieved promotion to the UAE Second Division by finishing fourth in their debut season, clinching the spot in May 2025 after a competitive campaign.[50]As of November 2025, Cissé remains with the club, now rebranded as FC Palm City following a name change in October 2025 to reflect expanded ambitions, though the team faces challenges in adapting to higher competition levels and integrating new signings during the off-season.[1][51]
International career
Youth international career
Papiss Cissé's path to the Senegal national team bypassed a traditional youthinternational progression, with his strong performances in club football propelling him directly to senior level consideration.His aerial ability was a standout trait, bolstered by his 1.83-meter height and exceptional timing in the air, making him a potent threat from set pieces and crosses. His family later joined him in England, providing stability amid career challenges such as the club's relegation.[14][58]
Religious conversion and philanthropy
Papiss Cissé is a practicing Muslim whose faith significantly shapes his public expressions, including performing the sujood prostration during goal celebrations to give thanks.[59] This practice became particularly notable during his time at Newcastle United, where he joined fellow Muslim teammates in openly displaying their religious devotion on the pitch.[60]Throughout his career at Newcastle United from 2012 to 2016, Cissé actively contributed to philanthropic causes, particularly those benefiting youth and his Senegalese homeland.His direct style of play and clinical finishing made him both a fan favorite and a focal point for opposition analysis.The attacking creativity displayed in Villarreal vs Real Madrid fixtures mirrors the inventive finishing techniques Cissé showcased throughout his global career.
Individual Awards
Throughout his career, Papiss Cisse has earned recognition for his goal-scoring exploits and contributions to his teams:
- Premier League Goal of the Season nominee (2011-12) for his spectacular curved finish against Chelsea
- Bundesliga Team of the Season consideration (2010-11) after his 22-goal campaign
- Multiple Player of the Month awards at various clubs
- Recognition as one of the top African players in European football during his peak years
🏆 | While team trophies may have been limited in Cissé’s career, his individual brilliance has frequently been acknowledged by teammates, opponents, and football analysts alike.Cissé’s ability to perform under pressure reminds fans of the tension and excitement found in crucial Pakistan vs New Zealand sporting encounters.
His most memorable individual achievement came in the form of that extraordinary goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge while playing for Newcastle United – a physics-defying outside-of-the-boot finish from an acute angle that left fans and pundits in awe.
After him are José Francisco Molina, Kolbeinn Sigþórsson, Joshua Zirkzee, Anthony Vanden Borre, Jack Robinson, and Daijiro Takakuwa.
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Contemporaries
Among people born in 1985, Papiss Cissé ranks 341.
Such moments of brilliance transcend statistical achievements, creating lasting memories that define a player’s legacy beyond medals and trophies.
The electricity of that moment at Stamford Bridge encapsulated everything thrilling about football – the unpredictability, the skill, the audacity, and the sheer joy that erupts when something seemingly impossible unfolds before your eyes.