Coquelin turns 29

Francis Coquelin turns 29 this Wednesday, celebrating his third birthday since joining Valencia CF back in 2018. It comes as the Frenchman returns to individual training at the Ciudad Deportiva, on the road back to action during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the enforced pause in the LaLiga season, the midfielder was in some of the best form of his career to date.

On May 13th, however, Coquelin himself is the subject of a long-running competition amongst his friends. Every year, they engage in a challenge to see who will be the first -and last- to wish him a happy birthday.

The group of friends have been close since Coquelin's football career was in its infancy, back at the ‘Liceo Ambroise Paré’ school in his native France. The future VCF star was captivated by the 1998 World Cup, and from there he turned his focus to the sport.

A standout for AS Bourny, he signed his first professional contract for Stade Laval in 2005, where Arsène Wenger scouted him for Arsenal FC in 2008. Then only 17, he turned out frequently for The Gunners before joining Valencia CF.

His first birthday celebration at VCF came during his recovery process from a torn achilles tendon, but a smile was still brought to his face upon receiving the gift of a giant photo, showing the moments following his first goal for the club in a game against Malaga CF. This year he celebrates reaching the age of 29 with greetings from friends and a firm focus on getting back to 100% fitness following the nationwide lockdown.