Tireless Kante continues to roll back years - for Al Ittihad and France

N’Golo Kante has had many nicknames across his distinguished 14-year professional career, including "N’Golinho", given to him by former Chelsea teammates Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas.

However, if his teammates at Al Ittihad or the French national team are looking for some inspiration, they should bestow the UEFA Champions League winner a new nickname. “The Postman” Because he always delivers. Or perhaps as it would be in his native language, “Le Facteur”.

The 34-year-old was one of the original headline arrivals to the Roshn Saudi League in the summer of 2023.

And, while his more reserved off-field personality means his profile is not that of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, teammate Karim Benzema or even Neymar, what cannot be questioned is his performance on the pitch.

Wherever Kante has played there are always others more charismatic, others that enjoy the limelight and attention more than the former Leicester City and Chelsea midfielder. Rare is an interview with the Parisien, with Kante always one to let his football do the talking.

And, boy, does it continue to speak volumes.

So impressive and consistent has his form been for Al Ittihad, that France manager Didier Deschamps had no hesitation in calling Kante back into the Les Bleus squad for last Thursday’s crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

With his national team needing victory to secure a place at next summer’s tournament, it marked Kante’s first time back in the French squad in 12 months; he last featured in a 0-0 draw with Israel in the UEFA Nations League.

“He's at his best in the matches I've seen him play; he plays every three or four days,” Deschamps said of his decision to recall Kante.

While France had the upper hand heading into the Group D clash at Parc des Princes via their better goal difference, the margins against second-placed Ukraine were fine enough that they had to avoid a defeat at least.

Like he always seems to do, when the moment demands it, Kante stood tall again in a Man of the Match display as France ran out 4-0 winners to secure their 17th qualification for a FIFA World Cup.

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Kante’s standout stats - he was contesting an international for the first time in 364 days - included 84 completed passes (the most in the match), 100 percent accuracy on long balls, 100% dribbles, nine recoveries and four tackles. Oh, and one assist.

Despite turning 35 next March, it’s hard not to see a scenario where the Al Ittihad star is on the plane bound for USA, Canada and Mexico next June and July.

For those who have watched Kante play for the reigning RSL champions, it will come as little surprise. Whether it’s in the blue of his national team, or black and yellow of Al Ittihad, he is a sure-fire thing to deliver the same level of performance.

In so many ways, Kante’s playing style mirrors his personality: quiet and understated. Yet the former English Premier League Player of the Year can also contradict the latter; on the pitch, Kante displays a hardened, ruthless edge.

First and foremost, without doubt he’s a winner. Most probably, it’s that desire for success that drives him.

At Al Ittihad, Kante has formed a formidable partnership with Fabinho, once a midfield foe when the duo played their club football for Chelsea and Liverpool, respectively. While others further up-field often got the plaudits, so much of Al Ittihad’s success last season came because of that midfielder partnership.

Assessing Kante directly, a dive into the statistics highlights how central he has been to the Jeddah giants’ fortunes. Since arriving in the Kingdom, no player at Al Ittihad has touched the ball more than Kante, with close to 4,500 passes; that’s almost 1000 more than Fabinho.

It shows that, in the multitude of systems the team have played under numerous coaches, Kante’s influence has remained. Working from defence into attack, the play often goes through the Frenchman as he in turn feeds it swiftly into those ahead of him.

Just as important, though, is his work going the other way. If Kante’s not creating attacks, he is stopping them; since joining, he is ranked No.1 at Al Ittihad for tackles, with 168.

They’re just two of a multitude of stats that highlight his importance. Yet they reflect why he is so universally adored by teammates and coaches and so respected across the game. Every great team needs a midfield general, and few play that role better than Kante.

Be it for club or country, he always delivers.