Claude Makélélé is a retired French professional footballer, widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation. Makélélé was born on Sunday 18 February 1973 in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Makélélé rose to prominence through his tenacious and intelligent play in the midfield, and his exceptional ball distribution, tactical awareness, and ability to break up opposition attacks made him a key figure in the teams he played for. Makélélé’s career spanned top European clubs, including Celta Vigo, where he first made a name for himself in Spain; Chelsea, where he became an iconic figure in the Premier League; Real Madrid, which marked a significant chapter in his career, winning several titles, including the La Liga championship; followed by PSG and Aston Villa. At Chelsea, his influence was profound, helping to transform the team into one of the most dominant sides in English football during the mid-2000s. His remarkable skill in shielding the defense and controlling the tempo of the game led to the term "the Makélélé role" being coined to describe his unique position on the field. On a national team level, Makélélé was instrumental in France's success, playing an essential role in their victory in the 2000 UEFA European Championship and their 2001 FIFA World Cup qualification. After retiring from professional football, Makélélé has remained involved in the sport, taking on coaching roles and continuing to influence the game both on and off the pitch.