Jean-Clair Todibo: Barcelona’s new young defender who almost lost his legs in a freak car accident

The French Guaina-born defender only made his Toulouse debut in August – yet after a handful of games he signed for Barcelona in January. 


His performances for Les Pitchouns in Ligue 1 earned the young centre-back an agreement with the Catalan club to join at the end of the season. 

But a defensive crisis and hope of a quicker settling in period, saw Barcelona push the transfer forward, seeing Todibo move immediately on January deadline day. 

Yet, the pressure is unlikely to phase the 19-year-old, nor the No6 shirt they gave him.

The shirt was worn by the likes of all-time appearance holder Xavi, Dani Alves, Denis Suarez and 90s legend Guillermo Amor. 

Todibo’s rise is so sudden that he only registered on the international youth scene at the under-20 level last year. 

But his rise is all the more incredible given he almost lost the use of his legs after a horrific car accident aged nine

The youngster was on his way to a judo class on the outskirts of Paris, when he was knocked down by a car. 

Speaking to La Depeche, Todibo said: “It was May 24, I was leaving my house to go to judo, I crossed the road and a car knocked me down. It turned into a big accident. 


“I had an injury on both my leg bones and down to the ankle, and there were several fractures. I have still got the scars” 

His coach at Les Lilas, Dylan Greneche, believed that it was the end of his short football career. 

But a year later,  Todibo returned to the sport – going on to become a key player at his youth club before being spotted by Toulouse in 2016. 

After spending a year in the academy ranks, the young Frenchman was promoted to the B team, who were in the Championnat National 3 – the country’s fifth tier. 


Yet, nine league games was enough to warrant a step up to the top-flight, Ligue 1, once again, impressing in a short space of time for Barcelona to pounce at the beginning of January, signing terms for him to join on a free transfer with his contract set to run out in summer 2019. 

But the reigning La Liga champions brought the deal forward just weeks later, paying£1.75m to acquire his services five months early. 

As an unknown quantity, few would know of Todibo, someone who had just moved to one of the biggest clubs in the world. 

His mentor Greneche says Todibo's desire to win is what sets him apart.

He said: “It was the last game of the season and a draw was enough for both teams to go up. 

“The match ended 1-1 but I found Jean-Clair in tears, mad with rage. We had won promotion to the top division but a draw was not enough for him. He wanted to win.” 

While it may be too early to call whether he can become a long-term defensive rock that could replace the likes of Gerard Pique – they have a determined young talent on their hands. 

A player who has already been through difficult times, almost losing the ability to walk, let alone run and play football. 

On the surface, he appears a youngster with potential but little experience – but that does not always need to be gained on the pitch, his life experience and mentality drives him to improve. 

If the memory of his car accident is not enough, the visible scars on his legs will remind him how quick everything can be ripped away from you. 

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