Romain Amalfitano
A technically gifted French midfielder whose career weaved from Ligue 1 to the Premier League and onto unexpected adventures in Australia and Saudi Arabia.
Born 1989 (age 37)·French footballer·Birthday: August 27·Millennials
Biography
Romain Amalfitano's story is one of footballing craftsmanship applied across a surprisingly broad map. The brother of more famous midfielder Morgan, Romain carved his own path with a silky touch and vision from the center of the park. He honed his game in the French lower tiers with Châteauroux before his performances at Evian Thonon Gaillard, a club known for its attractive style, earned a leap to the English Premier League with Newcastle United. While his time in England was limited, it placed him in the fierce crucible of top-flight football. He returned to France to become a steadying influence for Dijon in Ligue 1, showcasing the game intelligence of a player who controls tempo. In a late-career pivot, he embraced challenges far from home, bringing his European pedigree to the Saudi First Division and finally to Australia's A-League with Western Sydney Wanderers, adding a layer of globetrotting experience to a solid, if understated, professional journey.
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.
Romain was born in 1989, 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 Romain Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Romain's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Helped Evian Thonon Gaillard achieve promotion to Ligue 1 and establish themselves in the top flight.
- Made 5 appearances in the UEFA Europa League for Newcastle United during the 2012-13 season.
- Played over 70 Ligue 1 matches across his spells with Evian and Dijon FCO.
Did You Know?
He is the older brother of former French international and Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano.
Despite being a professional footballer, he also holds a university degree in economics.
His stint with Western Sydney Wanderers in 2020 made him one of the few French players to feature in the A-League.
“The ball finds its own path if you give it the right touch.”
