N’Golo Kanté is a renowned French professional footballer known for his exceptional skills as a defensive midfielder. Born on March 29, 1991, in Paris, France, Kanté has made a significant impact in the football world through his tireless work ethic, tactical intelligence, and ball-winning abilities.
You will know N’Golo Kante’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more here.
N’Golo Kante’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | N’Golo Kanté |
| Date of Birth | March 29, 1991 |
| Age | 34 years (as of 2025) |
| Education | Diploma in vocational accounting (earned at age 21) |
| Nationality | French |
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
| Turned Pro | 2012 (with Boulogne) |
| Current Club | Al-Ittihad (Saudi Pro League) |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder |
| Net Worth | $45 million |
| Annual Salary | €25,000,000 (approximately £21,059,600) |
| @nglkante | |
| @nglkante |
Early Career
N’Golo Kante’s football journey began far from the spotlight, making his senior professional debut with Boulogne in 2012, appearing as a substitute in just one Ligue 2 match.
The following season proved more fruitful as he competed extensively in the third division of French football, making 37 appearances and scoring 3 goals in Championnat National. His tireless performances caught the attention of Ligue 2 side Caen, who signed him on a free transfer in 2013.
At Caen, Kante established himself as an essential component of the team’s midfield. His first season with the club was spectacular, as he appeared in 38 league matches, helping the team secure a third-place finish and promotion to Ligue 1. Kante remained with Caen for another season, showcasing his abilities in France’s top division where he made 37 appearances and scored 2 goals.
During this time, he developed the ball-winning skills and tactical intelligence that would become his trademark. His performances for Caen demonstrated his potential to compete at higher levels, setting the stage for his move to English football.
Professional Career
Kante’s breakthrough came in 2015 when Leicester City brought him to the Premier League for a modest fee of £5.6 million. What followed was nothing short of remarkable as he became an integral part of Leicester’s fairy-tale 2015-16 season, when the 5000-1 outsiders shocked the football world by winning the Premier League title. Kante’s exceptional performances attracted Chelsea, who secured his services in July 2016 for a reported £32 million.
At Chelsea, Kante continued his winning ways, claiming another Premier League title in his first season, making him the first outfield player to win consecutive English league titles with different clubs since Eric Cantona in 1992-93.
His time at Stamford Bridge was decorated with multiple trophies, including the FA Cup (2018), UEFA Europa League (2019), UEFA Champions League (2021), UEFA Super Cup (2021), and FIFA Club World Cup (2021).
After seven successful seasons with Chelsea, Kante joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad in June 2023 on a free transfer. At Al-Ittihad, he has maintained his high standards and helped the club secure the Saudi Pro League title in the 2024-25 season.
Internationally, Kante has been equally impressive, playing a crucial role in France’s 2018 FIFA World Cup victory and their UEFA Nations League triumph in 2020-21.
Wife
N’Golo Kante maintains a notably private personal life, a stark contrast to many of his football peers. Born in Paris to Malian parents who migrated to France in 1980, Kante grew up in a modest apartment in Rueil-Malmaison, Hauts-de-Seine.
His early life was marked by tragedy when his father passed away shortly after N’Golo turned 11, and his older sibling Niama died of a heart attack before the 2018 World Cup.
As of 2025, Kante’s relationship status remains largely private. In March 2025, he publicly refuted rumors about a secret marriage to a Malian woman. Previously, he had been linked to Jude Littler, the ex-wife of former France footballer Djibril Cissé, but these connections were never confirmed.
Kante’s intensely private nature extends to social media, where despite having accounts, he posts infrequently compared to other footballers.
Kante is known for his humility and modest lifestyle. Unlike many footballers who flaunt luxury cars, Kante drove a Mini Cooper for years after moving to England. He is a practicing Muslim and has been involved in charitable work, including funding a $5 million hospital in Bamako, Mali in early 2025.
His nickname is simply “NG,” and outside of football, he enjoys playing tennis. Interestingly, during his initiation at Chelsea, teammates reportedly commented that he wasn’t loud enough during his performance.
N’Golo Kante’s Net Worth Details
N’Golo Kanté’s net worth is estimated to be $45 million as of 2025. His earnings come from his salary as a professional footballer, endorsements, and other sources.
Contract
Kanté currently plays under a lucrative contract with Al-Ittihad Club in the Saudi Pro League, which he joined on July 1, 2023, after his Chelsea contract expired. His Al-Ittihad contract spans three years, running until June 30, 2026.
The total value of this contract is reported to be €75,000,000 gross, making it one of the most substantial in his career. This agreement came after seven successful seasons at Chelsea, where his final contract had made him the highest-paid player at Stamford Bridge at that time with weekly wages of £290,000.
His move to Saudi Arabia represented a significant financial upgrade, nearly doubling his previous earnings.
Salary
As of 2025, Kanté earns an impressive annual salary of €25,000,000 (approximately £21,059,600) with Al-Ittihad. This breaks down to approximately €480,769 (£403,117) per week, excluding performance bonuses and other incentives.
This salary represents a substantial increase from his previous weekly wage of £290,000 at Chelsea, highlighting the financial power of Saudi Pro League clubs in attracting top international talent.
His daily earnings amount to approximately £80,998, demonstrating the exceptional financial rewards available to elite footballers in the modern era. Kanté’s current salary places him among the highest-paid defensive midfielders in world football.
Career Earnings
| Year | Club | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Chelsea | £6,240,000 |
| 2017 | Chelsea | £6,240,000 |
| 2018 | Chelsea | £15,080,000 |
| 2019 | Chelsea | £15,080,000 |
| 2020 | Chelsea | £15,080,000 |
| 2021 | Chelsea | £15,080,000 |
| 2022 | Chelsea | £15,080,000 |
| 2023 | Al-Ittihad | £21,996,000 |
| 2024 | Al-Ittihad | £21,996,000 |
| 2025 | Al-Ittihad | £21,996,000 |
Endorsements
Beyond his football salary, Kanté enhances his income through strategic endorsement deals with major global brands. His most significant endorsement partnership is with Adidas, for whom he serves as a brand ambassador. During the 2023-24 season, Kanté was frequently seen wearing the Adidas X Speedflow.1 boots as part of this endorsement agreement.
Unlike many footballers who maintain a portfolio of endorsement deals across various industries, Kanté has been selective with his commercial partnerships, aligning with his notably private and humble public persona.
This approach, while potentially limiting short-term earnings, has helped maintain his authentic image and may ultimately enhance his long-term marketability to brands valuing authenticity and sportsmanship.
Career Stats
Club Career
| Club | Seasons | League | Apps | Goals | Cups | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulogne | 2011-2013 | Ligue 2/National | 38 | 3 | Domestic Cups | 2 | 1 |
| Caen | 2013-2015 | Ligue 2/Ligue 1 | 75 | 4 | Domestic Cups | 7 | 2 |
| Leicester City | 2015-2016 | Premier League | 37 | 1 | Domestic Cups | 3 | 0 |
| Chelsea | 2016-2023 | Premier League | 190 | 11 | Domestic Cups | 33 | 1 |
| European Competitions | 41 | 0 | |||||
| Other Competitions | 5 | 0 | |||||
| Al-Ittihad | 2023-2025 | Saudi Pro League | 57 | 6 | Domestic Cups | 7 | 1 |
| Continental Competitions | 6 | 0 | |||||
| Other Competitions | 6 | 1 | |||||
| Career Total | 397 | 25 | 110 | 6 |
International Career
| National Team | Years | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 2016 | 13 | 1 |
| France | 2017 | 7 | 0 |
| France | 2018 | 16 | 0 |
| France | 2019 | 3 | 0 |
| France | 2020 | 5 | 1 |
| France | 2021 | 7 | 0 |
| France | 2022 | 2 | 0 |
| France | 2024 | 11 | 0 |
| Total | 2016-2025 | 64 | 2 |
FAQs
1. What position does N’Golo Kanté play and what qualities define his style?
He plays as a defensive midfielder. Known for exceptional interception, tackling, stamina, ability to cover ground, reading of the game. His relentless work rate and positional sense make him one of football’s most influential midfield anchors.
2. Which clubs has Kanté represented in his professional career and what major titles has he won?
Kanté began his senior career at Boulogne in 2012 before joining Caen in 2013, Leicester City in 2015, Chelsea in 2016 and Al-Ittihad in 2023. He has won two Premier Leagues, the FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, Europa League and FIFA Club World Cup.
3. How did Kanté’s journey from youth football lead to his breakthrough in Europe’s top leagues?
Born in Paris in 1991 to Malian parents, Kanté joined JS Suresnes at age eight, progressed through Boulogne’s academy before making a Ligue 2 debut in 2012. His standout performances at Caen earned him transfers to Leicester City and Chelsea.
4. What have been Kanté’s most significant contributions to the France national team?
Since his senior debut in 2016, Kanté has been integral to France’s midfield, helping secure runners-up at Euro 2016 and a World Cup victory in 2018. His relentless defensive cover and ability to shield the backline underpinned France’s international success.
5. Who is Aissatou Sar Cissé and what is known about Kanté’s family life?
Aissatou Sar Cissé is Kanté’s wife, originally from Mali; they married in 2015. She maintains a private life focused on family, and the couple is known for balancing cultural traditions with a low-key approach, raising their children away from public scrutiny.
