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Mouctar Diakhaby Profile Overview |
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Full Name |
Mouctar Diakhaby |
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Date of Birth |
December 19, 1996 |
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Age |
29 years old |
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Place of Birth |
Vendome, France |
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Nationality |
Guinean (born in France) |
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Height |
1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) |
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Weight |
78 kg (172 lbs) |
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Position |
Centre back / Defensive Midfielder |
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Preferred Foot |
Right |
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Current Club |
Valencia CF (La Liga) |
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Jersey Number |
4 |
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Contract Expires |
June 30, 2027 |
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Weekly Salary |
Approximately 65,000 to 76,000 pounds |
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Annual Salary |
Approximately 3.3 to 4 million pounds |
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Estimated Net Worth (Icon Polls) |
$6 million to $10 million |
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Market Value (2026) |
1.1 million to 2.8 million euros |
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Transfer Fee (Lyon to Valencia, 2018) |
15 million euros |
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Religion |
Islam |
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International Team |
Guinea |
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Youth Clubs |
USSA Vertou, Nantes, Lyon Academy |
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Senior Clubs |
Lyon (2016 to 2018), Valencia (2018 to present) |
Who is Mouctar Diakhaby?
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Mouctar Diakhaby is a professional footballer who currently plays as a centre back for Valencia CF in the Spanish La Liga. He was born on December 19, 1996, in Vendome, France, to parents of Guinean origin who originally came from Touba in the Boke region of Guinea. Despite being born and raised in France, Diakhaby chose to represent Guinea at the international level, and he has been a regular in their squad since 2022.
He started his football journey at a very young age with USSA Vertou before having stints with Nantes and eventually joining the famous Olympique Lyonnais academy. He made his senior debut for Lyon in September 2016 and quickly became a first team regular. His performances caught the eye of Valencia CF, who signed him in the summer of 2018 for a reported fee of 15 million euros. He has been at Valencia ever since, becoming one of the longest serving players at the club.
Mouctar Diakhaby Net Worth and Salary
When it comes to his finances, Diakhaby has done quite well for himself over the years. According to Icon Polls estimates, his net worth currently sits somewhere between $6 million and $10 million. This figure takes into account his accumulated earnings from salaries, bonuses, and other income over a career that has spanned top level football in France and Spain.
In terms of his current salary at Valencia, reports suggest he earns somewhere in the region of 65,000 to 76,000 pounds per week. That works out to roughly 3.3 to 4 million pounds per year. He signed a contract extension with Valencia back in January 2022 which runs through June 2027, so he is well settled financially at the club for the time being.
It is worth noting that his salary is modest by La Liga standards, especially when you compare it to the top earners at clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona. But for a reliable centre back at a mid table club, it is a solid wage that reflects his experience and his importance to the team.
Height and Physical Profile
Diakhaby stands at 1.92 metres tall, which is about 6 feet 4 inches. He weighs around 78 kilograms (roughly 172 pounds). His height is one of his biggest assets as a centre back. It gives him a real advantage in aerial duels, whether he is defending corners and crosses or attacking set pieces at the other end. Over the years he has scored a number of headed goals from corners, and his physical presence makes him a handful for opposing strikers.
He is also deceptively quick for someone of his size, which helps him cover ground and recover when caught out of position. His combination of height, pace, and athleticism is what made him such an attractive prospect when Valencia decided to spend 15 million euros on him back in 2018.
Injury History
If there is one thing that has really held Diakhaby back from reaching his full potential, it is injuries. He has had a really tough time with fitness over the past few seasons, and it has limited his availability significantly.
In March 2024, he suffered a serious knee injury that kept him out until January 2025. That is almost 10 months on the sidelines. Just when he seemed to be getting back to full fitness, he picked up a hamstring injury in October 2025 that sidelined him until December 2025. Then, in January 2026, he suffered a muscle injury that has an estimated return date of around May 2026.
These recurring injuries have been a real source of frustration for both Diakhaby and Valencia fans. When he is fit and playing, he is a quality defender. But the problem is that he just cannot seem to stay fit for long stretches. In the 2025/2026 season, for example, he has only managed about 8 league appearances before his latest setback.
Before these recent issues, he also dealt with a thigh injury in late 2023 that kept him out for about two months. It is a pattern that has unfortunately defined much of his time at Valencia, and at 29 years old, questions are starting to arise about whether his body can hold up going forward.
Career Stats
Despite his injury struggles, Diakhaby has still racked up a decent number of appearances over the years. Across all competitions for Valencia in La Liga, he has made around 196 appearances and scored 12 goals with 1 assist. For a centre back, that goal tally is quite respectable and speaks to his aerial threat from set pieces.
In the Copa del Rey and other domestic cup competitions, he has made about 28 appearances with 1 goal and 1 assist. During his time at Lyon, he featured in about 36 matches across Ligue 1, the Champions League, and the Europa League, scoring 5 goals.
In the 2025/2026 La Liga season specifically, he has made 8 appearances and scored 1 goal before his muscle injury in January 2026. His average match rating this season has been around 6.9 out of 10, which is a fair reflection of his solid but sometimes inconsistent performances.
On the international stage, Diakhaby has been capped by Guinea and continues to be part of their squad when fit. He previously represented France at under 19, under 20, and under 21 levels before switching allegiance to Guinea in 2022.
Religion
Mouctar Diakhaby is a Muslim. His family is of Guinean origin, specifically from the Jakhanke community, which has deep Islamic roots and traditions. His first name, Mouctar, is itself of Arabic origin and is a name commonly found in West African Muslim families. While Diakhaby tends to keep his personal and spiritual life private, his cultural and religious background is an important part of who he is.
Transfer Values and Contract
Diakhaby's transfer value has fluctuated quite a bit over the years, which is largely a reflection of his injury problems. When Valencia signed him from Lyon in 2018, they paid 15 million euros, which was a significant investment at the time. At his peak, his market value was considerably higher, but the repeated injuries have brought it down.
As of 2026, his estimated market value sits between 1.1 million and 2.8 million euros, depending on which source you look at. Icon Polls notes that this is a significant drop from what Valencia originally paid, but it is not surprising given his age (29) and his lengthy injury absences. His contract with Valencia runs until June 2027, so if Valencia were to sell him, they would still have some negotiating leverage.
There have not been any major transfer rumours linking Diakhaby with a move away from Valencia in 2026, although his injury situation and the club's financial challenges could potentially open the door for a departure before his contract expires.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mouctar Diakhaby
1. How old is Mouctar Diakhaby?
Diakhaby was born on December 19, 1996, making him 29 years old as of 2026.
2. What is Mouctar Diakhaby's net worth?
Icon Polls estimates his net worth to be between $6 million and $10 million, based on his career earnings from football.
3. What is Mouctar Diakhaby's salary?
He earns approximately 65,000 to 76,000 pounds per week at Valencia, which comes out to around 3.3 to 4 million pounds per year.
4. How tall is Mouctar Diakhaby?
He stands at 1.92 metres, which is approximately 6 feet 4 inches tall.
5. What position does Mouctar Diakhaby play?
He primarily plays as a centre back, though he can also fill in as a defensive midfielder when needed.
6. What club does Mouctar Diakhaby play for?
He currently plays for Valencia CF in the Spanish La Liga. He has been at the club since 2018.
7. What nationality is Mouctar Diakhaby?
He was born in France but holds Guinean nationality and represents the Guinea national football team at international level.
8. Is Mouctar Diakhaby injured?
Yes, as of early 2026 he is dealing with a muscle injury that he picked up in January 2026. He is expected to return around May 2026.
9. What is Mouctar Diakhaby's religion?
Diakhaby is a Muslim. He comes from a Guinean family with deep Islamic heritage.
10. How much did Valencia pay for Mouctar Diakhaby?
Valencia paid a reported 15 million euros to sign him from Olympique Lyonnais in the summer of 2018.
11. When does Mouctar Diakhaby's contract expire?
His current contract with Valencia runs until June 30, 2027.
12. What is Mouctar Diakhaby's market value in 2026?
His estimated market value ranges from about 1.1 million to 2.8 million euros in 2026, a notable decline from his peak value.
13. Has Mouctar Diakhaby played for France?
Yes, he represented France at youth level, playing for the under 19, under 20, and under 21 teams. However, he switched to represent Guinea at senior level in 2022.
14. Where was Mouctar Diakhaby born?
He was born in Vendome, France. His parents are originally from Touba in the Boke region of Guinea.
15. How many goals has Mouctar Diakhaby scored?
He has scored around 12 goals in La Liga for Valencia across approximately 196 appearances. He also scored 5 goals during his time at Lyon.
16. What is Mouctar Diakhaby's jersey number?
He wears the number 4 shirt at Valencia CF.
17. Did Mouctar Diakhaby play for Lyon?
Yes, he came through the Lyon academy and played for their first team from 2016 to 2018 before moving to Valencia.
18. What is Mouctar Diakhaby's weight?
He weighs approximately 78 kilograms, which is about 172 pounds.
19. Has Mouctar Diakhaby had many injuries?
Unfortunately, yes. He has dealt with several significant injuries including a knee injury (March 2024 to January 2025), a hamstring injury (October to December 2025), and a muscle injury (January 2026 onwards). These injuries have limited his playing time considerably.
20. Is Mouctar Diakhaby married?
Diakhaby keeps his personal life very private, and there is no confirmed public information about his relationship or marital status as of 2026.
21. What are Mouctar Diakhaby's career stats for the 2025/2026 season?
In the 2025/2026 La Liga season, he has made 8 appearances, scored 1 goal, received 3 yellow cards, and has an average rating of around 6.9.
22. Is Mouctar Diakhaby a good defender?
When fit, he is considered a solid and physically imposing centre back. His height, aerial ability, and pace make him a valuable asset. However, his frequent injuries have prevented him from being consistently available.
23. Will Mouctar Diakhaby leave Valencia?
There are no confirmed reports of an imminent transfer as of 2026. His contract runs until 2027, and his future likely depends on his fitness and Valencia's plans going forward.
24. What foot does Mouctar Diakhaby use?
He is a right footed player.
25. Is Mouctar Diakhaby an IOM Goodwill Ambassador?
Yes, he serves as a National Goodwill Ambassador for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), using his platform to promote awareness about safe migration and economic development in Guinea.