Vincent Kompany

Vincent Kompany

Kompany parading the League Cup trophy in May 2014.
Personal information
Full nameVincent Jean Mpoy Kompany[1]
Date of birth10 April 1986
Place of birthUccle, Brussels, Belgium
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[2]
Playing positionCentre back
Club information
Current team
Manchester City
Number4
Youth career
2000–2003Anderlecht
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2003–2006Anderlecht73(6)
2006–2008Hamburg29(1)
2008–Manchester City203(11)
National team‡
2002Belgium U163(0)
2002Belgium U172(0)
2004–Belgium60(4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:15, 6 April 2015 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17 June 2014

Vincent Jean Mpoy Kompany (French pronunciation: ​[vɛ̃sɑ̃ kɔ̃pani]; born 10 April 1986) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays for and captains both English club Manchester City and the Belgium national team. He is capable of playing at centre back and defensive midfield. In the 2011–12 season he was awarded the captaincy of Manchester City, leading his club to win the Premier League that season, their first league title in 44 years.[3] He is also chairman of Belgium D3B Division club BX Brussels, as well as owner-operator of two Belgian Sports Bars named Good Kompany.

Kompany began his professional career at Anderlecht, spending three years at the Belgian club before moving to German Bundesliga club Hamburg in 2006. In the summer of 2008, at the age of 22, he completed a transfer to his current club, Premier League side Manchester City. He has since established himself as an integral part of the Manchester City squad and is one of the bargain buys of the revolutionised City era,[4][5] blossoming into one of the Premier League's best centre backs. Kompany was included in the Premier League Team of the Year for two years in a row in 2011 and 2012 as well as being included in the 2014 team, and won the Premier League Player of the Season in 2012. He was listed 23rd in The 100 best footballers in the world by The Guardian.[6][7] Kompany has been described as one of the best defenders in world football,[8] and is known to be a physically strong centreback, with excellent aerial ability, and mobility, as well as good technique and distribution. He is also a very accurate tackler and excels at anticipating his opponents.[9]

Club career

Anderlecht

Born in Uccle, Brussels, Kompany started his career at Anderlecht at the age of 17, winning several awards including the Belgian Golden Shoe and the Belgian Ebony Shoe. Another player, Aruna Dindane, decided to wear the number 27 on his shirt upon his arrival at Lens Summer 2005, in dedication to Kompany.

Hamburg

Kompany with Hamburg

On 9 June 2006, it was announced, however, that he was acquired by Hamburger SV for a fee of €10 million, replacing Daniel Van Buyten.[10] In his debut season for Hamburg, he managed only six Bundesliga starts for the club before suffering an achilles injury in November that ruled him out for the rest of the season.[11] Despite his lack of involvement in the season, he was selected in a 30-man provisional squad for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.[12]

Manchester City

Kompany in action during the 2010–11 season for Manchester City

On 22 August 2008, Premier League club Manchester City confirmed the transfer of Kompany from Hamburg on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £6 million.[13] He was handed the number 33 shirt for the 2008–09 season by manager Mark Hughes. Two days later, Kompany made his Manchester City debut against West Ham United.[14] On 28 September, Kompany scored his first goal in City's 2–1 away defeat to Wigan Athletic. On 28 December 2008, he started the game with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park as a holding midfielder and also completed the full 90 minutes in a 2–2 draw.[15] On 19 October 2009, Kompany signed a new five-year deal with City that will keep him at the club until 2014.[16] He scored his second league goal for the club in a 2–0 home win against Portsmouth.[17] and his third in a 6–1 away win against Burnley at Turf Moor.

Kompany was handed the number 4 jersey for the 2010–11 season after previous number 4 Nedum Onuoha moved on loan to Sunderland. On 14 August 2010, he started the opening Premier League fixture and received a yellow card from referee Andre Marriner against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane and completed the full 90 minutes alongside Kolo Touré in a 0–0 draw. Kompany put in a Man of the Match performance in the 1–0 home win against Chelsea at the City of Manchester Stadium on 25 September. On 10 November, Kompany started the Manchester derby league game with Manchester United at the City of Manchester Stadium and played the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw. On 12 February 2011, he started the Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford and played the full 90 minutes, partnering with Joleon Lescott in a disappointing 2–1 defeat. On 25 April, he again continued to captain the side in the absence of star striker Carlos Tevez against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, playing the full 90 minutes alongside Joleon Lescott in an important 1–0 victory courtesy of a late 75th minute strike from Edin Džeko.[18] On 16 April, Kompany captained Manchester City's victory over main rivals Manchester United in the 2010–11 season FA Cup Semi Final at Wembley Stadium; City won the game 1–0. Later that day, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year alongside City teammate Carlos Tevez. At the end of the 2010–11 season, team manager Roberto Mancini praised Kompany's "incredible" season and claimed that with his attitude and mentality, Kompany can become one of the best defenders in Europe.

He finished the season winning the Manchester City Official Supporter's Player of the Year, Manchester City Player's Player of the Year, and the Premier League Player of the Season for his outstanding performances throughout the season, clocking up 50 appearances in all competitions and also making 37 Premier League starts in the process. On 30 April, he scored a header from a David Silva corner against Manchester United in the Manchester derby. The game finished 1–0 to city and put them in first place ahead of united on goal difference with only two games of the season remaining.[19] On 13 May, the final day of the Premier League season, Kompany captained the team that won the Premier League for the 2011–12 season, which ended in a 3–2 win to City, helping Manchester City win the trophy with their win against Queens Park Rangers. In the same match, QPR midfielder Joey Barton attempted to headbutt Kompany. On 25 July, Kompany signed a six-year contract with Manchester City,[20] the longest of its kind in the club's history.

On 11 May 2014, Kompany scored Manchester City's second goal in a 2–0 defeat of West Ham United as the club won the 2013–14 Premier League title.[21]

International career

Kompany playing for Belgium in November 2011
Kompany (left) with Belgian team-mates Simon Mignolet (middle) and Kevin De Bruyne before an international friendly against the United States on 29 May 2013

Kompany made his international debut aged just 17 for Belgium in February 2004 against France, as one of the youngest players ever. The Belgian Federation called up Kompany to the 2008 Olympics. Initially, Hamburg decided not to let him go as the Olympics was not an official FIFA tournament. After a dispute, Hamburg decided to release him under the condition that he returned after Belgium's first two group games. At the Beijing Olympics, Belgium's first game was against Brazil where he was sent off in a 1–0 loss, and as a consequence his tournament was over as the red card would rule him out of Belgium's second group game. Due to the turn of events, Kompany decided against returning to Germany in hope of playing the last group game to help his country qualify for the knockout stages. Hamburg maintained their stance that he had to return, and the Belgian FA decided to release him. He later came on as a substitute in the opening game for Hamburg against Bayern Munich. The rocky relationship with Hamburg and Kompany is said to be a major factor in Kompany transferring to Manchester City. In November 2009, Kompany fell out with the Belgium manager Dick Advocaat. On the Monday before the friendly match with Qatar on 18 November 2009, Kompany received permission to attend the funeral of his grandmother as long as he returned to the team hotel before 6 pm that evening. As it happened, he did not return until nearly midnight. Furious, Advocaat removed him from the squad altogether, although on 24 February 2010 he was recalled to the Belgium squad by Advocaat for the friendly against Croatia.[22] On 19 May 2010, Kompany scored a 90th-minute goal to give Belgium a 2–1 win over Bulgaria in a friendly. On 10 November 2011, a day before the friendly against Romania, Georges Leekens named Kompany as Belgium captain, succeeding Thomas Vermaelen.

After 34 minutes of Belgium's 2–1 World Cup qualifier win against Serbia in June 2013, Kompany suffered concussion and facial injuries, including a broken nose and cracked eye-socket, in a collision with goalkeeper Vladimir Stojković. After receiving first aid on the touchline, he played out the remainder of the match.[23]

On 13 May 2014, Kompany was named in the Belgium squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[24] He captained the Red Devils in their first World Cup match in 12 years, a 2–1 win against Algeria in Belo Horizonte.[25]

Charity work

Kompany is an official FIFA ambassador for registered charity SOS Children.[26] Of Congolese heritage, Kompany represents his father's native Congo, and has invested and engaged in projects which aim to provide an education and safe living accommodation for children living in poverty.[27][28]

In March 2013, Kompany bought the Belgian third division club FC Bleid as a "social commitment towards the youngsters of Brussels",[29] with the intention of offering disadvantaged youngsters the opportunity to use sport as a vehicle for self-improvement.[30]

Personal life

Kompany's father, Pierre, is a Congolese immigrant to Belgium and serves as his agent. His mother, Jocelyne, is Belgian. His brother, François Kompany currently plays for Sint-Niklaas, having previously had spells at Germinal Beerschot and Macclesfield Town. Kompany also has an older sister. Among his friends are former Chelsea goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay and former Manchester United defender Floribert N'Galula, both of whom he consulted about his move to England before joining Manchester City.[31]

Kompany married his Mancunian girlfriend, Carla Higgs, a lifelong Manchester City supporter on 11 June 2011,[32] and together they have a daughter, Sienna, who was born on 10 June 2010,[33] and a son Kai, who was born in October 2013.

Kompany has a number of pastimes and interests which keep him occupied outside of football.[34] He has an interest in politics and is also a part-time student at Manchester Business School where he is studying Business Administration.[35] In contrast with most of his football peers, Kompany has been characterized as "erudite" and "eloquent".[36]

Career statistics

Club

As of 6 April 2015
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Anderlecht 2003–04 29250–90–432
2004–05 32210–70–402
2005–06 12110–61–192
Total 73570–221–1026
Hamburg SV 2006–07 6000–50–110
2007–08 23140–112–383
Total 29140–162–493
Manchester City 2008–09 341101090–451
2009–10 252304000–322
2010–11 370500080–500
2011–12 31310009010423
2012–13 26140006010371
2013–14 284203041–375
2014–15 210100050–270
Total 20211170804112027012
Career total 304 17 28 0 8 0 79 4 2 0 411 21

International

Scores and results list Belgium's goal tally first.

Honours

Club

Kompany with the Premier League trophy after the victorious 2011–12 season

Anderlecht

Hamburger SV

Manchester City

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "England 1 Belgium 0 [1–0]". England Football Online. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  2. ↑ "Player Profile: Vincent Kompany". MCFC Official Site. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  3. ↑ McNulty, Phil (13 May 2012). "Manchester City 3–2 QPR". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  4. ↑ "Exclusive – Lee: 'Kompany best centre-back to ever play for Man City'". Talksport. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  5. ↑ "Royle: 'Kompany has been Manchester City's best buy'". Talksport. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  6. ↑ "The world's best footballers: the top 100 list". The Guardian. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  7. ↑ "The 100 best footballers in the world – interactive". The Guardian. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  8. ↑ "World Cup 2014: Vincent Kompany stands alone in a tournament seriously short on top-class defenders". Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  9. ↑ "Conosciamo Vincent Kompany, il difensore che piace tanto ai viola". Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  10. ↑ Pearson, James. "Hamburg Seal Kompany switch". Sky Sports. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
  11. ↑ "Bundesliga stats". Footballstats. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
  12. ↑ Scholten, Berend (12 May 2007). "Belgium hope for better Kompany". UEFA. Archived from the original on 16 May 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
  13. ↑ Collins, Leon (22 August 2008). "City sign Vincent Kompany from Hamburg". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
  14. ↑ "City 3 – West Ham 0". Manchester City F.C. 24 August 2008. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  15. ↑ Ashenden, Mark (28 September 2008). "Wigan 2–1 Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  16. ↑ "Kompany signs new Man City deal". BBC Sport. 19 October 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  17. ↑ "Match: Manchester City v Portsmouth". ESPN Soccernet. 31 January 2010. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  18. ↑ "Mancini sees Kompany potential". Sky Sports. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  19. ↑ "Man City 1–0 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  20. ↑ "Six more years! Man City captain Kompany signs new deal at Premier League champions". dailymail.co.uk. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  21. ↑ "Man City 2-0 West Ham". BBC.
  22. ↑ "Romelu Lukaku est officiellement Diable Rouge". La Dernière Heure (in French). 24 February 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  23. ↑ Brennan, Stuart (11 June 2013). "Kompany decision stuns doctor". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  24. ↑ "Adnan Januzaj included in Belgium's World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  25. ↑ Chowdhury, Saj (17 June 2014). "Belgium 2-1 Algeria". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  26. ↑ "SOS Children UK: Our Amabassadors". SOS Children UK. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 2 Aug 2013.
  27. ↑ "Foundation stone laying at SOS Children's Village in Democratic Republic of Congo". SOS Children's Villages. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  28. ↑ "Kompany on a mission in Congo part 1" (VIDEO). Manchester City F.C. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  29. ↑ "Why Vincent Kompany has bought the worst team in Belgium". Eurosport. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  30. ↑ Lawrence, Amy (10 May 2014). "Vincent Kompany is calm and ready to collect for Manchester City". The Observer (London). Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  31. ↑ Chapman, John (January 2006). Sleight, Hugh, ed. "Q&A: Vincent Kompany". FourFourTwo (Teddington: Haymarket Consumer) (137): 150. ISSN 1355-0276.
  32. ↑ "'I'm so proud of my Vince', says Kompany's wife Carla". Manchester Evening News. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  33. ↑ "Kompany father of daughter Sienna". Het Laatste Nieuws. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  34. ↑ "Vincent Kompany: Manchester derby is world's biggest after El Clásico". The Guardian. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  35. ↑ "Kompany goes back to school as City skipper studies for business degree". Daily Mail. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  36. ↑ "Kompany talks up City's chances". The Times. 17 September 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vincent Kompany.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Carlos Tevez		 Manchester City captain
2011–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Thomas Vermaelen		 Belgium captain
2011–present 		Incumbent