Player Profile - Florent Malouda
The Lyon winger is at the heart of his club's counter-attacking policy, launching forward moves and weighing in with his fair share of goals.
"He shows conviction in every role he plays during the matches."
Gerard Houllier
Malouda, who was born in Guyana, began his career with Chateauroux before moving on to Guingamp in 2000.
In was in Britanny that he began to make a name for himself and his 10 goals from the wing in the 2002/03 season persuaded champions Lyon to make their move in September 2003.
The 25-year-old, who turns 26 four days into the tournament, has gone on to become an important player at Stade Gerland, where he has won three consecutive league titles.
His form in Le Championnat and in the UEFA Champions League was good enough to earn him a first call-up to the national squad in November 2004 and he made his debut in the friendly against Poland.
His first competitive start followed in the World Cup qualifier in Israel in March 2005 and he also began the matches against Faroe Islands and Republic of Ireland.
While he is by no means sure of a starting role in a midfield where competition for places is so fierce, Malouda can play across the middle or as a supporting striker.
