Philippe Mexès
A French defender of immense talent and fiery temperament who became a fan favorite in Rome with his elegant, sometimes reckless, brilliance.
Born 1982 (age 44)·French footballer·Birthday: March 30·Millennials
Biography
Philippe Mexès played centre-back with the technical grace of a midfielder and the combative spirit of a street fighter. His talent was undeniable from his early days at Auxerre, where he broke into the first team as a teenager and soon attracted Europe’s elite. His move to Roma in 2004, despite significant controversy, defined his career. In the Italian capital, he formed a formidable partnership with Christian Chivu and later Juan, winning two Coppa Italia titles. Mexès was a paradox: capable of breathtaking, last-ditch tackles and sublime passes, but also prone to moments of ill-discipline that saw him collect red cards. After nearly a decade in Rome, he joined AC Milan, adding a Serie A title to his collection. For France, his international career never quite scaled the heights many predicted, but in Italy, he remains remembered as a defender who played with a unique and compelling flair.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Philippe was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Philippe Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Philippe's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Serie A title with AC Milan in the 2010-11 season.
- Lifted the Coppa Italia twice with AS Roma in 2007 and 2008.
- Made over 250 appearances for AS Roma, becoming a mainstay of their defense for nearly a decade.
- Earned 29 caps for the French national team and was selected for UEFA Euro 2012.
Did You Know?
His transfer from Auxerre to Roma in 2004 resulted in a lengthy legal dispute and a suspension, as it was initially deemed a breach of contract.
Mexès scored a spectacular overhead kick goal against Anderlecht in the Champions League for Milan, which won the UEFA Goal of the Season award in 2012.
He is known for his distinctive tattoos, including a large one across his back.
He received a four-match ban in 2012 for insulting a referee, which was one of the longest suspensions for such an offense in Serie A at the time.
“I play with my heart, and sometimes that heart is on fire.”
