A distinguished football career has seen him set foot all over the world and now, Djibril Cisse wants to relive those moments blasting the music behind the decks as a DJ.
His passion for music and his affection for the people inspired Cisse to trade the football shoes for a career as DJ and he is thrilled about his new journey.
His new music career has already earned him important platforms like doing warm-up music in a Mariah Carey show in Paris or rocking the scene in a prestigious event in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
He was speaking to the Times of Malta during his participation at Sigma Europe as brand ambassador of Betiton, a betting company that has a strong market in sports.
It was Cisse’s first ever trip to our shores as he was not part of the French selections that played against Malta in international matches in 2002 and 2003.
Joining forces with the betting company back in May, Cisse underlined that he is pleased to have this opportunity which still connects him with football, in particular with the Premier League.
“The partnership with Betiton, which started a few months ago, is something that I really like and we have achieved a lot in such a short time,” Cisse told the Times of Malta.
“I am pleased to have the chance to be part of a big and respected brand and given that they have a strong market in English football, where I have played, it was easier for me to accept this opportunity.”
Football and music are two passions that distinguish Cisse. For him, music is something that helps him focus and concentrate.
“Music has always been part of my life, since I was a player, as I always used to put my headphones on and put myself into another world,” the former France international said.
“The new career as a DJ is my second life and after achieving a lot as a football player, I still wanted to do something that helps me enjoy life as much as I did during my playing days.”
Although Cisse is not putting body and soul into his new venture, the former Liverpool and Queen’s Park Rangers player has not called time on his football career…at least officially.
Back in April, Cisse signed with American fourth-tier team Panathinaikos Chicago but the project never really kicked off due to the coronavirus pandemic that wreaked havoc in the sporting world over the last year and a half.
“The United States project was ready to happen but everything had to be stopped because of the pandemic,” Cisse explained.
“Nonetheless, it is a project that I would still like to do as until my body allows me to play, I can continue doing that.
“Retirement is only a word because if I feel fit enough to help a team and the project interests me, so I can come back.”
“You never know what’s going to happen, of course,” Cisse said when asked if he would consider setting foot in Maltese football.
Yet, should Cisse’s football career never resume he won’t have any regrets.
“I am not a nostalgic person but instead I am just thankful and blessed for what I have achieved in my career – looking towards the future it’s much more important,” Cisse, who scored 24 goals for Liverpool, said.
Elite team-mates
Cisse was part of one Liverpool’s biggest nights ever when they cancelled a three-goal deficit and went on to defeat Milan to claim the Champions League crown in Istanbul, in 2005. An event that Cisse described as ‘it might never happen again football’.
“I will always be thankful to Liverpool, just like for the clubs with whom I played and I have a huge affection for all the fans,” the 40-year-old said.
Cisse described Liverpool as a dream team under Jurgen Klopp, highlighting the German’s coach passion and charisma that he brought into the environment since taking over.
At Liverpool, Cisse shared the field with Reds’ legend Steven Gerrard who has now traded the player career for that of a manager, recently taking over at Aston Villa after a successful stint at Rangers.
“I was not surprised when Steven Gerrard became a manager because he had always that special leadership,” Cisse pointed out.
“Obviously, to be a successful coach is not easy but he has proved himself and for the players it’s a special opportunity to be coached by someone like him.”
Cisse’s thoughts about Gerrard were the same about another former team-mate who also became a coach – Zinedine Zidane.
With Zidane, Cisse shared numerous France memories with the latter collecting 41 caps, scoring nine goals in the process including in the 2003 Confederations Cup which the French team won.
“Right now, France are one of the best teams in the world with a number of good players including Kylian Mbappe who is obviously one of the standout performers,” Cisse said.
“Obviously, he needs the help of the rest of the team to help him maximise his talent because football is not only about names.
“In fact, we had a few surprises in the recent World Cup qualifications with Portugal dropping into the play-offs, to give an example.”
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