Who Is Alou Diarra? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Alou Diarra was born on July 15, 1981, making him 43 years old in 2025. He is a renowned French footballer known for his exceptional skills as a midfielder. Diarra has had an illustrious career, playing for various clubs across Europe and representing the French national team in international competitions. His journey has been marked by numerous achievements, from club successes to significant contributions to the national squad.
| Occupation | Football Coach |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 15, 1981 |
| Age | 44 Years |
| Birth Place | Villepinte, France |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | France |
Popularity
Alou Diarra's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
In 2025, Alou Diarra stands tall at 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm) and maintains a weight of approximately 176 lbs (80 kg). His athletic build and imposing presence on the pitch have been key factors in his performance throughout his career.
Following the winter break, Diarra struggled with a thigh injury and didn't appear with the team for almost three months. In March 2007, he finally returned to the team in its 3–1 win over Derby du Rhône rivals Saint-Étienne appearing as a substitute.
During the season, Diarra complained twice with regards to playing time, which led to Houllier equivocally questioning Diarra's ego.
The feud culminated on 6 April when Houllier dropped Diarra from the squad to face Valenciennes the following day and then ordered him to play for the club's reserve team in the Championnat de France amateur, the fourth level of French football.
Diarra refused the orders and Houllier responded by reportedly threatening not to play him for the rest of the season. The Lyon manager later stated the Diarra should issue an apology to him and the team.
The defensive midfielder did not budge and, subsequently, missed the team's next four league matches, as well as the 2007 Coupe de la Ligue Final. Diarra returned to the team on 28 April playing the entire match in a 3–1 win over Le Mans.
He repeated this feat in three of the team's last five matches as Lyon were crowned champions for the sixth consecutive season. Included in one of those three matches was Diarra's first league goal for the club, which came in a 3–0 victory over his former club Lens.
Relationship Status:
- Current Partner: Not publicly named
- Previous Relationships: Diarra has maintained a low profile regarding past relationships.
He has three younger brothers and one sister. One of his brothers, Zanké, is also a footballer and currently plays for French club Quevilly in the Championnat National, the third division of French football. He had previously played for the reserve team of professional club Paris Saint-Germain, but was released in 2010.
Another brother, Idrissa, assists in running a social networking site that helps amateur footballers find a club. Diarra and his siblings were raised in the neighborhood of Rose des Vents located in the nearby commune of Aulnay-sous-Bois, where his parents still reside. He is currently married and has two children.
On 28 May 2010, ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Diarra departed the national team's training camp to be beside his wife as she gave birth to his second child.
Net Worth and Salary
In 2025, Alou Diarra's estimated net worth is around $10 million. This figure is a result of his successful football career, coupled with various endorsements and business ventures. His salary during his professional career varied based on the clubs he played for, but he consistently earned significant sums, particularly during his prime years in clubs like Bordeaux and Marseille.
Diarra began the 2001–02 season by making the bench in several of the team's league matches in August and September, but failing to make an appearance.
In October 2001, he was dropped back down to the club's reserve team and appeared in four matches before earning promotion back to the senior team for its 2001 Intercontinental Cup showdown with Argentine club Boca Juniors.
Diarra made the bench for the match, but did not feature as Bayern won the match courtesy of an extra time goal from Samuel Kuffour. The victory gave Diarra his first major honour of his career. Afterwards, he returned to the reserve team and later suffered an injury, which required a lengthy absence.
Diarra rejoined the team in March 2002 under new manager Hermann Gerland and made nine more appearances. Following the season, Diarra was offered a new three-year contract with the club, but rejected it citing his limited playing time.
Despite his disappointing stint with Bayern, which included failing to make an appearance with the club's senior team, in 2009, Diarra stated "I have very fond memories of my time in Bayern".
Following Diarra's success at Bordeaux, Bayern's general manager Uli Hoeneß admitted that Diarra's rise to prominence as a footballer is "one of the seven wonders of the world".
Hoeneß admitted that he was surprised by Diarra's resurgence, stating: "If somebody had told me [he would return for a UEFA Champions League game] five years ago and made a bet with me, I would have lost a fortune".
Since Diarra departing the club in 2002, due to FIFA compensation laws, Bayern have recouped over €800,000 as a result of the player's future transfers.
Career, Business, and Investments
Alou Diarra's career began in the early 2000s, and he quickly rose through the ranks of French football. Notably, he played for clubs such as:
- Lyon
- Bordeaux
- Marseille
- West Ham United
Diarra began his career playing for clubs based in Seine-Saint-Denis, such as Aulnay and hometown club Villepinte. In 1997, he joined Louhans-Cuiseaux and made his professional debut with the club in the 1999–2000 season while the club was playing in the second division. In 2000, Diarra was recruited by German club Bayern Munich.
He spent two years playing on the club's reserve team, Bayern Munich II. In 2002, he was signed by compatriot Gérard Houllier as part of the manager's French Revolution to play for English club Liverpool.
Diarra's stint at the club was deemed a disappointment as he spent both years at the club on loan in France playing for Le Havre, Bastia and Lens.
Social Media Accounts:
- Instagram: @aloudiarra
- Twitter: @AlouDiarra
Education
Alou Diarra's focus on education complemented his football career. While details on his formal education are not widely publicized, Diarra has often spoken about the importance of balancing sports with education, making him a role model for young athletes.