Sulley Muntari

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"Muntari" redirects here. For the Romanian village, see Bucium, Alba.
Sulley Muntari

Muntari with Ghana in 2008
Personal information
Full nameSuleyman Ali Muntari[1]
Date of birth (1984-08-27) 27 August 1984
Place of birthKonongo, Ashanti, Ghana
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in)
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current clubMilan
Number4
Youth career
2000–2001Liberty Professionals
2001–2002Udinese
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2002–2007Udinese125(8)
2007–2008Portsmouth29(4)
2008–2012Internazionale70(7)
2011→ Sunderland (loan)9(0)
2012→ Milan (loan)13(3)
2012–Milan44(8)
National team‡
2001Ghana U207(0)
2002–Ghana78(20)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:43, 12 May 2013 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16 June 2013[2]

Suleyman Ali "Sulley" Muntari (Arabic: المونتاري سليمان علي‎; born 27 August 1984) is a Ghanaian footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Italian club Milan. During his time at Internazionale, he helped the team win the Champions League in 2009–10 and the Serie A title in 2008–09 and 2009–10. He was also part of the Portsmouth team that won the FA Cup in 2007–08. He is the elder brother of CFR Cluj player Sulley Muniru.[3]

Club career

Early career

Muntari's abilities first came to light in youth tournaments, while he was playing for Liberty Professionals youth team. He became a regular member of Ghana U20 team at the age of 16 as they finished runners-up at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina, losing out to the hosts in the final.[4] Despite impressing during a trial with Manchester United after the tournament,[5][6] he ended up joining Italian club Udinese.

Udinese

He joined Udinese in 2001, where his first season was spent in the reserves. He made his first-team debut on 6 November 2002, against Milan. The Rossoneri proved too strong on the day, yet Udinese's young newcomer left an instant impression. "Muntari was immense against Milan," enthused monthly magazine Football Italia, "showing himself to possess the touch of Kaká and the combativeness of Edgar Davids, he is definitely a player to keep a close eye on."[7]

In his second full season, he made 23 appearances, and increased his standing to 33 appearances the following season,[8] although indiscipline saw him sent off three times in 16 matches in the 2006–07 season.[9] He left Udinese for Portsmouth after five seasons.

Portsmouth

Muntari had already indicated a desire to move to the Premier League,[10] when in early 2007 transfer bids were received from Portsmouth. He eventually opted for Portsmouth[11] and transferred on 30 May 2007, for a new club record fee, believed to be around £7.1 million, signing a five-year contract.[12][13] He was a regular member of the first XI throughout the 2007–08 season playing 29 League matches and scoring four goals. He had his debut on 11 August 2007 against Derby County in an away game. His performance of note was away at Aston Villa where he scored two spectacular long-range goals.[14] He also played four FA Cup matches, scoring the winner from the penalty spot in a 1–0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Sixth Round of the FA Cup. He was in the starting XI that won the 2008 FA Cup Final at the Wembley Stadium. He left Fratton Park after one season to join Inter Milan.

Inter Milan

Muntari with Inter Milan

On 2 March 2007, it was reported in the Italian press that Inter Milan were preparing a summer offer for the midfielder. Injuries to Esteban Cambiasso and Patrick Vieira underlined just how short of ball-winning midfielders the "Nerazzurri" were and they would remedy that problem in June 2007. Transfer consultants Marco Branca and Gabriele Oriali were looking around Europe for possible options and Muntari seemed to be their man at the insistence of coach Roberto Mancini,[15] although Muntari ultimately went to Portsmouth in the summer of 2007. But on 21 July 2008 Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported that with the probable failure of new Inter coach José Mourinho to land his former Chelsea protégé Frank Lampard, Muntari was now his first choice central midfielder.[16] The reports gathered pace in the Italian press in the next few days that Muntari had already agreed a four-year contract with Inter.[17][18] But Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp told Sky Sports News "I don't want to sell him. He is one of my best players and is a terrific young talent" when quizzed about Inter's supposed interest in Muntari.[19]

Muntari playing for Inter

On 24 July 2008, BBC[20] and Gazzetta dello Sport[21] reported that Muntari would complete a €16 million plus bonuses move to Inter.[22][23] He finally completed his move to Inter on 28 July 2008 and wore the number 20 jersey,[24] previously worn by Álvaro Recoba for many years.

On 22 November 2008, Muntari scored the winner, redirecting a wayward Zlatan Ibrahimović shot, in the Derby d'Italia against rivals Juventus. Two weeks later, Muntari scored a backheel goal against Napoli at the San Siro after a great cross from Maicon, a match that ended 2–1 for Inter. In the very last Serie A match of the season on 31 May 2009 versus Atalanta, he opened the scoring for Inter after blasting in a Luís Figo cross from outside the penalty box. Later, his shot on goal was parried by the goalkeeper but Esteban Cambiasso scored from the rebound to make the score 3–3. Inter eventually won 4–3 and Muntari won his first Scudetto after his first season with the club.

In August 2009, his manager Jose Mourinho again found himself causing controversy after commenting that Muntari, a practicing Muslim, was lacking fitness and energy due to fasting during the month of Ramadan. He was reported to have said "Muntari had some problems related to Ramadan, perhaps with this heat it's not good for him to be doing this fasting. Ramadan has not arrived at the ideal moment for a player to play a football match."[25] However, since these comments many Muslims and non-Muslims have come out in defence of Mourinho, saying that no offense was meant towards the player, but while the manager could have been more tactful in his treatment of the issue it stands to reason that a lack of food and water will affect a player's stamina and energy level.[25]

On 15 January 2011, Inter technical director Marco Branca confirmed Muntari had handed in an official transfer request. A number of Premier League clubs were speculated to be interested in Muntari.

Sunderland (loan)

On 26 January 2011, Premier League club Sunderland were given permission to hold talks with Muntari, if agreed he would go on loan to the North East club.[26] On 29 January, Muntari signed for Sunderland on loan from Inter until the end of the season.[27] On 7 May 2011, he was initially credited with his first and only goal in a 2–1 win over Bolton Wanderers, but this was subsequently recorded as a Zat Knight own goal.[28]

On 13 May 2011, Sunderland decided not to sign Muntari on a permanent basis, and he returned to Inter.[29]

Milan

Muntari (left) with A.C. Milan team-mates El Shaarawy (center) and Traoré (far right)

On 31 January 2012, Muntari joined Milan on loan. On 19 February 2012, Muntari scored his first goal as a Milan player on his debut, in a Serie A away match against Cesena, which Milan won 3–1. On 25 February 2012, Muntari scored an infamous header against Juventus from a cross of Emanuelson, but however the goal was disallowed despite clearly crossing the line by a distance that was later technologically measured to be over 30 centimeters and the match ended 1–1. Juventus went on to win the Serie A title that year beating Milan to the Scudetto by four points and many people saw that exact moment as the biggest and most controversial moment of the title race. On 10 April 2012, he scored the only goal in a Milan win at Chievo, giving his team an edge in the title race. On 2 May 2012, Muntari scored a goal against Atalanta, in a game that ended 2–0, and brought Milan one point behind leaders Juventus.

Massimiliano Allegri said to Milan Channel that Muntari would play with Milan for a further two years until June 2014 in May 2012. Muntari officially signed for Milan on a free transfer after his Inter contract expired on 1 July 2012. While on holiday in the off-season, Muntari picked up a knee injury playing beach football that could keep him out for the entire first half of the 2012–13 season. On 20 February 2013, Muntari scored a goal to give Milan a two goal lead against Barcelona ahead of the 2nd leg in the last 16 tie in the UEFA Champions League.[30] However it was not enough as Barcelona knocked Milan out in the return leg at the Nou Camp.

In 8 May 2013, Muntari scored his first goal in 2012–13 season, in a match against Pescara, which Milan won 4–0.[31] On 13 May 2013, Muntari was fined €10,000 and suspended for the last match of the 2012–13 season and opening game of the 2013–14 season after being sent off during a game against AS Roma for manhandling referee Gianluca Rocchi.[32] On the 16 December Muntari scored a late goal against AS Roma to salvage a 2-2 draw.[33] He was however sent off for the following match against his former club Inter Milan when he hit Zdravko Kuzmanović and was banned for three matches.[34]

International career

Youth

Muntari represented Black Starlets at 2001 UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup, including a 1–1 draw with Portugal U18[35] and losing to Italy U18 0–1.[36]

Muntari then was chosen for the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship as Ghana took second place.

Senior

Muntari dribbling the ball past opposition

He won his first senior cap against Slovenia on 17 May 2002, and became a regular fixture in the team as The Black Stars opened their 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. He was selected for the Olympic side at Athens 2004, but was sent home for disciplinary reasons.[37] This started a dispute between Muntari and his federation, and he said that he would refuse to play for his country again, beating the record for the youngest international retirement.[38] He retracted, making a public apology to the federation,[39] and was selected for the 2006 World Cup squad. He played in the first two matches, a 2–0 defeat by Italy and a 2–0 win over the Czech Republic, in which he scored, but having received a yellow cards in each game, he was suspended for the game against the United States, but returned for the second round match against Brazil, in which Ghana was eliminated.

Muntari preparing to take a free kick at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations

He remained a regular member of the team, and appeared in the 2008 African Cup of Nations side, scoring the winner in the first group match against Guinea and the second goal in the last group match against Morocco. He scored his 3rd goal of the tournament when he scored a freekick against Côte d'Ivoire in the 3rd place play off. His goal against Guinea, a 25-metre left-footed pile-driver in the 89th minute was voted one of the Best Goals of the Tournament.[40]

He was voted as an All-Star Player during the 2008 African Cup of Nations Tournament in Ghana. The Team of the Tournament was decided by the Technical Study Group (TSG) after careful observations of all the tournament's matches.[41]

Muntari in action dribbling with the ball

Although expected to play for Ghana in the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola, Muntari was excluded from the national team due to disciplinary problems. After purposefully missing an international friendly against Angola, he also snubbed a meeting with coach Milovan Rajevac.[42] Muntari later issued a full apology to his country and coach.[43]

Muntari was selected for Ghana's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad. After not being included in the starting line-up for the team's first two matches, Muntari was reportedly expelled from the squad for insulting Rajevac and his teammates.[44] However, after an intervention by former captain Stephen Appiah, he was reinstated[45] and went on to make two further substitute appearances against Germany and the USA before starting the quarter final against Uruguay in place of the suspended André Ayew. During the match Muntari scored a long range effort in first half stoppage time, putting Ghana ahead 1–0 at half-time.

International goals

Score and Result lists Ghana's goals first
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 20 June 2004 Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, Ghana  South Africa 1–0 3–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 14 November 2005 King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Saudi Arabia 2–1 3–1 Friendly
3 8 October 2005 Estádio da Várzea, Praia, Cape Verde  Cape Verde 2–0 4–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 29 May 2006 Walkers Stadium, Leicester, England  Jamaica 3–0 4–1 Friendly
5 4 June 2006 Easter Road, Edinburgh, Scotland  South Korea 2–0 3–1 Friendly
6 17 June 2006 RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne, Germany  Czech Republic 2–0 2–0 2006 FIFA World Cup
7 7 February 2007 Wembley Stadium, London, England  Nigeria 4–0 4–1 Friendly
8 24 March 2007 UPC-Arena, Graz, Austria  Austria 1–1 1–1 Friendly
9 20 January 2008 Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra, Ghana  Guinea 2–1 2–1 2008 Africa Cup of Nations
10 28 January 2008 Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra, Ghana  Morocco 2–0 2–0 2008 Africa Cup of Nations
11 9 February 2008 Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, Ghana  Ivory Coast 1–0 4–2 2008 Africa Cup of Nations
12 22 June 2008 Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra, Ghana  Gabon 2–0 2–0 2010 World Cup qualification
13 12 August 2009 Brisbane Road, London, England  Zambia 3–0 4–1 Friendly
14 6 September 2009 Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra, Ghana  Sudan 1–0 2–0 2010 World Cup qualification
15 3 March 2010 Koševo Stadium, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina  Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–1 1–2 Friendly
16 2 July 2010 Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa  Uruguay 1–0 1–1 2010 FIFA World Cup
17 27 March 2011 Stade de la Revolution, Brazzaville, Congo  Congo 3–0 3–0 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
18 1 June 2012 Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, Ghana  Lesotho 1–0 7–0 2014 World Cup qualification
19 7 June 2013 Al-Merrikh Stadium, Omdurman, Sudan  Sudan 3–1 3–1 2014 World Cup qualification
20 15 October 2013 Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, Ghana  Egypt 5–1 6–1 2014 World Cup qualification

Personal life

In December 2010, Muntari married Ghanaian businesswoman Menaye Donkor.[46][47] He is a practicing Muslim. He observes fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan.[48] His younger brother is Sulley Muniru who plays for CFR Cluj in the Romanian Liga I.[3]

Career statistics

Club
Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Italy League Coppa Italia [nb 1] Europe[nb 2] Total
2002–03UdineseSerie A 1202000140
2003–042304010280
2004–053326020412
2005–062930080373
2006–072832100304
Total Italy 12581411101509
England League FA Cup League Cup Total
2007–08PortsmouthPremier League2944100335
Total England 2944100335
Italy League Coppa Italia Europe Total
2008–09Inter MilanSerie A 2743081385
2009–1027250100422
2010–11811030121
Total Italy 62790211928
England League FA Cup League Cup Total
2010–11SunderlandPremier League90000090
Total England 90000090
Italy League Coppa Italia Europe Total
2011–12Inter MilanSerie A 40000040
2011–12Milan1331000143
2012–131511021182
2013–141240061185
Total Italy 44820825410
Career total 2692729240334233
League and Cup statistics accurate as of 12th May 2013
  1. ↑ Includes Supercoppa Italiana matches.
  2. ↑ Includes UEFA Supercup and FIFA Club World Cup matches.
International
Ghana national team
YearAppsGoals
200220
200310
200451
200562
2006113
200782
2008124
200962
201062
2011101
201281
201331
Total7819
As of 16 June 2013[49]

Honours

Club

Portsmouth
Inter Milan

References

  1. ↑ Hawkey, Ian (7 April 2011). "Suleyman Ali Muntari is finding his own way to his goals". thenational.ae. The National (Abu Dhabi). Retrieved 29 February 2012. 
  2. ↑ "FIFA profile - Sulley Muntari". fifa.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 27 February 2012. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "I want to make it big in Europe – Muntari's brother Muniru". Goal. 13 March 2013. 
  4. ↑ "World Youth Cup final: Argentina 3–0 Ghana". ghanaweb.com. 9 July 2001. Retrieved 4 April 2004. 
  5. ↑ "Man Utd chasing Ghana teenager". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 15 May 2001. Retrieved 15 May 2001. 
  6. ↑ "Ghana youth impresses at Man United". ghanaweb.com. 14 May 2001. Retrieved 23 July 2007. 
  7. ↑ "Sulley Ali Muntari (Ghana): The new Davids". Channel4.com (Channel 4). 11 June 2006. Retrieved 11 June 2006. 
  8. ↑ "Player to Watch: Muntari dreaming of Germany". FIFA.com (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). 26 September 2005. Retrieved 26 September 2005. 
  9. ↑ "Muntari handed three-game ban". Channel4.com (Channel 4). 18 December 2006. Retrieved 18 December 2006. 
  10. ↑ "Muntari issues English plea". Sky Sports (BSkyB). 
  11. ↑ "Muntari seals Pompey move". Channel4.com (Channel 4). 30 May 2007. Archived from the original on 1 June 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2007. 
  12. ↑ "Pompey break bank to sign Muntari". FIFA.com (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). 30 May 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2007. 
  13. ↑ "Portsmouth seal Muntari signing". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 30 May 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2007. 
  14. ↑ "Aston Villa 1-3 Portsmouth". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 8 December 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2013. 
  15. ↑ Mastrocola, Marcello (2 March 2007). "Inter: Mancini apprezza Muntari". tuttomercatoweb.com. Retrieved 2 March 2007. 
  16. ↑ "INTER: LAMPARD LONTANO, SPUNTA MUNTARI". La Repubblica. 21 July 2007. Retrieved 21 July 2007. 
  17. ↑ "Muntari sorpassa Xabi". Gazzetta dello Sport. 22 July 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2007. 
  18. ↑ "Inter, Muntari e Quaresma". Corriere dello Sport. 23 July 2007. Retrieved 23 July 2007. 
  19. ↑ Fraser, Peter (22 July 2007). "Harry – No Inter contact". Sky Sports (BSkyB). Retrieved 22 July 2007. 
  20. ↑ "Muntari set for £12.7m Inter move". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 24 July 2008. Retrieved 24 July 2008. 
  21. ↑ "L'Inter prende Muntari e congela Lampard". Gazzetta dello Sport. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 24 July 2008. 
  22. ↑ Bandini, Paolo (24 July 2008). "Inter close to signing Portsmouth's Muntari". guardian.co.uk (London: Guardian News and Media). Retrieved 24 July 2008. 
  23. ↑ "Muntari day for Inter". Channel4.com (Channel 4). 24 July 2008. Archived from the original on 27 July 2008. Retrieved 24 July 2008. 
  24. ↑ "Sulley Ali Muntari signs for Inter". inter.it (FC Internazionale Milano). 28 July 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Jose Mourinho's Ramadan row over fasting Inter Milan star Sulley Muntari angers Muslim leader". Mail Online (London: Associated Newspapers). 27 August 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2011. 
  26. ↑ "Sulley Muntari arrives in Sunderland for talks over loan move". guardian.co.uk (London: Guardian News and Media). 27 January 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011. 
  27. ↑ "Inter Milan's Sulley Muntari joins Sunderland on loan". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 29 January 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011. 
  28. ↑ Hughes, Ian (7 May 2011). "Bolton 1 – 2 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 August 2013. 
  29. ↑ "Sunderland pass on signing Inter's Sulley Muntari". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 13 May 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011. 
  30. ↑ "AC Milan 2-0 Barcelona: Boateng and Muntari leave Catalans on brink". Goal.com. Retrieved 10 May 2013. 
  31. ↑ "Pescara 0-4 AC Milan: Balotelli double solidifies third spot". Goal.com. Retrieved 10 May 2013. 
  32. ↑ "Sulley Muntari sees red for manhandling referee". inside World Soccer. 13 May 2013. 
  33. ↑ "Muntari rescues a point for hosts". ESPN. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December2013. 
  34. ↑ "Sulley Muntari given three-match ban". ESPN. 24 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December2013. 
  35. ↑ Thomas, Durosimi (31 January 2001). "Mali Stumble As Africa Recovers In Meridian Cup". allAfrica.com (AllAfrica). Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
  36. ↑ "Ghana – Italia". FIGC.it (in Italian). Italian Football Federation. 31 January 2001. Retrieved 17 June 2011. 
  37. ↑ "Big blow to Ghana's Olympic team". ghanaweb.com. 11 August 2004. Retrieved 11 August 2004. 
  38. ↑ "I Won’t Play For Ghana Again!". ghanaweb.com. 13 August 2004. Retrieved 13 August 2004. 
  39. ↑ "Muntari Asks For Pardon". ghanaweb.com. 17 September 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2004. 
  40. ↑ "2008 ANC: BBC's Top 10 Goals". dailymotion. 10 February 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2008. 
  41. ↑ "CAF names Best XI for Ghana 2008 ACN". CAF Online. 10 February 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2008. 
  42. ↑ "Muntari was axed by Ghana over disciplinary problems". GhanaSoccerNet. 18 December 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2009. 
  43. ↑ "Muntari issues grovelling apology". GhanaSoccerNet. 21 December 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2009. 
  44. ↑ Muntari sent home after insulting head coach - report. www.ghanaweb.com. Monday, 21 June 2010. Retrieved Tuesday, 22 June 2010.
  45. ↑ Muntari nearly sent home. Sportal, sportal.com.au. Tuesday, 22 June 2010. Retrieved Wednesday, 23 June 2010.
  46. ↑ Sulley Muntari & Menaye Donkor’s Wedding! The Ghanaian Journal, 28 December 2010.
  47. ↑ Menaye Donkor - Royal Stool Bearer and Title Holder Shirlene Alusa-Brown, Modern Ghana. 20 May 2008.
  48. ↑ Jose Mourinho's Ramadan row over fasting Inter Milan star Sulley Muntari angers Muslim leader. Daily Mail. 27 August 2009.
  49. ↑ "Muntari, Sulley Ali". National Football Teams. Retrieved 27 February 2012. 

External links

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Sporting positions
Preceded by
John Mensah		 Ghana national football team captain
2012–2013 		Succeeded by
Asamoah Gyan
A.C. Milan – current squad
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