Henri Sabon

Henri Sabon

Sabon with Saint Sébastien in 2018
Personal information
Full name	Henri Miguel Sabon
Date of birth	(1983-02-11) February 11, 1983
Place of birth	Saint Sébastien, Midrasia
Height	1.80m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Saint Sébastien
Number	8
Youth career
1990–1997	AS Capenia
1997–2000	Saint Sébastien
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2000–2007	Saint Sébastien	190	(31)
2001–2002	Laterna Cardinaux (loan)	23	(3)
2007–2017	Olympique de Lotrique	356	(61)
2017–	Saint Sébastien	29	(4)
International career
1999–2000	Midrasia U17	7	(1)
2000–2002	Midrasia U19	22	(4)
2002–2017	Midrasia	121	(23)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Henri Miguel Sabon (born February 11, 1983) is a Midrasian professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Liga Premiére side Saint Sébastien. Sabon had spent most of his professional career captaining Midrasian giants Olympique de Lotrique along with the Midrasia national football team where he guided the side to two Copa d'Aeia titles in 2009 and 2014 respectively. Throughout his playing career Sabon was renowned for his tenacity and workrate as a midfielder, with an ability to single-handedly turn around matches through his leadership.

Born in Saint Sébastien, Midrasia though from a family originating from Lotric, Sabon was quickly drafted into the AS Capenia academy at aged 7. Sabon spent 7 years at Capenia before he was snapped up by his boyhood side Saint Sébastien FC to play for the youth team. After impressing throughout the academy, Sabon signed his first professional contract with the team in the year 2000 and made his first appearance for the side the same year. Sabon then went out on loan to Liga 3 side Laterna Cardinaux where he impressed with his ability on the ball and passing range earning him 27 league appearances. The following season Sabon made a number of league starts from the bench, before being slowly eased into the side as a regular starter the following season. Sabon remained at Saint Sébastien until 2007 playing in both Liga 2 and Liga 1 in the process. His standout performances for the side were enough to earn him a big-money move to Olympique de Lotrique for a fee of Đ30 million.

After making a good first impression with the squad through his performances, chemistry with the team, and presence within the dressing room, Sabon was appointed to the captaincy in 2010 where he remained for the rest of his tenure at the club. His talismanic performances and leadership qualities on the pitch quickly affirmed his status as team leader and fan favourite. Sabon won multiple titles with the team as well as key personal honours, such as Aeian Player of the Year in 2014. Sabon remained at Olympique for ten years winning 5 league titles, 1 Copa de Mydra, 4 Supercopas, 1 Asuran League and 1 Champions Cup in the process. On the international scene, Sabon was a regular starter for the Midrasian national team, earning the captaincy in 2011. Sabon won 2 Copa d'Aeia titles with the national side before announcing his retirement from international football in late 2017.

In July 2017 Sabon announced that he would be joining his boyhood club Saint Sébastien following the conclusion of his contract at Olympique de Lotrique. Sabon was immediately appointed as vice-captain for the team and has made several appearances off-the-bench for the Florentine side. During the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, Sabon helped Saint Sébastien avoid relegation, though his time at the club was hampered by a number of injuries. In 2018 Sabon announced he was undertaking coaching courses with the intention of landing a permanent role with the club, and ultimately becoming a full-time manager at some point in the future.

Early life

Henri Miguel Sabon was born on February 11th 1983 to Miguel and Maria Sabon in the city of Saint Sébastien in southern Midrasia. Henri's parents Miguel and Maria were originally from the capital of Lotric, however had moved to Saint Sébastien to be with the rest of their family. Henri's father Miguel worked as a taxi driver, whilst Maria spent time as a gardener before Henri's birth. Henri was the first of three children, along with Thierry (born 1985), and Olivia (born 1988, died 1989). Henri was raised as an Orthodox Alydian and regularly attended church during his childhood.

The death of Henri's sister Olivia greatly affected his family, with Sabon later stating that he feared his parents divorcing. Within his autobiography, Sabon stated that he used football as a method of escaping the family situation at home. Henri's father Miguel was a supporter of Olympique de Lotrique owing to the time he spent in the capital, and whilst Henri stated that he greatly admired the Olympiens, he saw himself as a supporter of his local team Saint Sébastien and would regularly attend games with his father.

Club career

Saint Sébastien

Sabon in training with Saint Sébastien in 2004

Sabon was signed by Saint Sébastien for their youth setup from lower league side AS Capenia in 1997. He quickly worked his way up the ladder of the youth team to land a place with Saint Sébastien's first team in the year 2000. Despite this, within his first season with the team Sabon had limited opportunities only being deployed in two friendlies and 6 professional league games, 4 of which he started on the bench. Being viewed as too physically underdeveloped to play the '6 role' by new manager Zanobi Fellin, much of Sabon's early game time came as part of a midfield double pivot in a 4-5-1 formation. Following his first season in the first team, Sabon was sent out on loan to Liga 3 side Laterna Cardinaux.

Laterna Cadinaux loan (2001-2002)

Whilst on loan with the Liga 3 side Sabon made what would be his breakout season in professional football. With improvements to his physicality and endurance in pre-season Sabon was the standout player for a Laterna Cardinaux side which had just been relegated. Though he was not picked for the first few games of the season, making only 2 appearences off the bench in the whole first half of the season; his first full game against FC Bastile where he scored once and assisted twice was enough to land him a permanent position within the starting XI. Sabon would go on to score 6 times all season playing in 27 professional games, including 2 cup games which saw Cardinaux lose out to FC Chamhelot in the Copa de Mydra. Though Cardinaux manager Léon Bonnet pleaded with Saint Sébastien to sign Sabon permanently, it was alleged Fellin refused stating: "That lad is far too good for you lot. He'll play Liga 1 some day."

Breakout and promotion (2002-2004)

With Sabon's return to Saint Sébastien the following season he was immediately drafted into the first team. Manager Zanobi Fellin had caught a glipse at Sabon's potential whilst on loan at Cadinaux and thus sought to mould much of the midfield play around the so-called 'wonderkid'. However, only two games into the 2002-2003 season Sabon suffered a horrific ancle injury whilst playing against FC Belvedere which looked set to sideline him for the rest of the season and put his future career in doubt. Nevertheless, Sabon was able return for the final 12 games of the season after 6 and a half months on the sidelines. Sabon would two goals in Liga 2 where Saint Sébastien finished 7th, just outside of the promotion play-off places.

The following season Sabon played all 46 games in the season, scoring 12 goals in the process, the most of any midfielder in the division leading Saint Sébastien to win the league and gain promotion to Liga 1. Sabon also scored once in the Copa de Mydra in a campaign which saw Saint Sébastien eliminated in the second round at the hands of FC Saint Solenn. The campaign was seen as Sabon's breakout season, winning Liga 2 Player of the Season and earning nomination for the Midrasian Golden Boy award. Sabon's performances began to earn the attention to significantly larger clubs such as Argois SC and FC Ardante leading to considerable speculation that Saint Sébastien may cash in to fund a squad overhaul for Liga 1. Much of the media also speculated that Sabon wished to move to a larger club in the pursuit of trophies.

Top flight (2004-2007)

Sabon lines up for Saint Sébastien against Mydroll in 2006

Despite the rampant media speculation about his future, Sabon turned down an offer to leave the club, instead signing a new four-year contract to keep him at the Stade Sigona. Despite the hype surrounding the midfielder many within the media questioned Sabon's ability to perform at the highest level, perhaps as a result of turning down an offer to join teams that were perceived to be far larger than Saint Sébastien. Sabon's Liga 1 career began with a 2-1 victory over Sporting Pavania during which he assisted the first goal. He continued his fine form from the lower leagues with a number of great performances earning him the fourth most assists in the league by December and a large number of man-of-the-match awards to boot. Nevertheless, Saint Sébastien continued to leak goals and were in 15th place and 4 points off the relegation zone by the mid-season break.

For the first half of the season Sabon played in his traditional midfield double pivot as part of a 4-4-2 formation. However, to combat the team's poor defensive form, Sabon was moved to an attacking-midfield position as part of a 4-3-1-2 in an attempt to earn the team more goals. Sabon's first goal in Liga 1 came against FC Cadillac and was a thunderous strike from 25 yards out, the only goal of the game. His standout performance of the season however, came in a 4-3 victory over Marcel Chagnon's FC Ibbené side where he scored a brace of both goals and assists earning him the man-of-the-match award and player of the month. This new attacking intent from the side greatly improved results, and whilst the team continued to concede goals, for the most part they were able to outscore their opponents, gradually clawing their way up the league table. By the end of the 2004-2005 season Saint Sébastien finished in 9th place with 51 points. Sabon had scored 4 goals all season, assisting 15 times.

For the 2005-06 season, Saint Sébastien were once again able to fend off growing interest in Sabon. The season also saw the team sign a number of new players in an effort to solidify their position within Liga 1. Atrescan international Lucio Lamantia and Midrasian striker Dany Dufour were signed for a total of Đ12.8 million whilst a number of youth prospects made their way into the first team such as right-back Alvaro Reyes. Sabon once again featured for all 38 of Saint Sébastien's games, scoring his first goal of the season during a 3-1 win over Vaelleniana. A stellar run for both Sabon and the team then took place between September and December which saw the team lose only 1 game, drawing 5 and winning 10 placing the team in 4th by the start of the winter break. Of particular note was Sabon's performance against local rivals FC Montscia who Saint Sébastien dispatched 5-2 with Sabon claiming a hat-trick of assists. Despite this, the team's form dipped in the second half of the season, drawing the first three games in January against Ibbené, Norte Club, and Vabre. Sabon's form did not appear to dip however, with the midfielder scoring 6 and assisting 7, however injuries to Dufour and defender Igor Ménard saw the team concede more whilst their own goals dried up. Ultimately the team finished in 5th, their best league finish though just outside of the continental qualification spots.

The team's best form of the 2005-06 season however came in the Copa de Mydra, with the team reaching the semi-finals only to be knocked out by eventual winners Union de Mydroll. Saint Sébastien entered the tournament in the Third Round along with the rest of Liga 1. Their first opponents were local rivals and Liga 2 team AS Capenia which Saint Sébastien defeated 2-0 with goals from Lamantia and Dufour. During the Fourth Round the team were drawn away from home against Liga 1 side FC Hellingbourg in what looked set to be a tough fought tie. Sabon's team ultimately came out ahead with a 1-0 victory in extra-time thanks to a free-kick which he himself converted, earning himself the man-of-the-match award. Within the Quarter-finals the team was drawn at home against Liga 2 side FC Oyonaix, which was seen as many to be a lucky draw for the team in a competition where the vast majority of remaining teams resided in the first division. Nevertheless, Oyonaix put up a considerable fight against the stripes going 0-1 within the first 5 minutes of the match. Nevertheless, Saint Sébastien were able to turn things around scoring twice in quick succession in the 56th and 59th minute of the game for the tie to finish up 2-1. For the semi-finals the team was drawn against Union de Mydroll with the game played at the neutral ground of the Stade de San. By this point Saint Sébastien were without the injured Dufour and Ménard though continued to put out a good fight. In a tough fought game however Union came out as 2-0 winners, eliminating the stripes from the competition. Despite this, reaching the semi-finals was seen as a great achievement for minnows Saint Sébastien and equalled their existing best record in the competition last set in 1991.

The 2006-07 season brought about a number of changes for Saint Sébastien and Sabon. The acquisition of a new attacking-midfielder in the form of Hugo Gardet saw Sabon move back to the box-to-box role which manager Fellin believed he was now more suited to. The increased revenues brought from the team's Copa run and 5th place finish last season allowed the team to also sign a new goalkeeper in the form of Ken Walstad who was bought from Dynamesk SK for Đ5 million. By this point however speculation about Sabon's future had hit critical mass with rumours circulating suggesting that AC Lotric, Argois SC, and even Olympique de Lotrique were in for the player. These rumours were not aided by the fact that Sabon had refused a new four-year deal worth an alleged Đ18.7 million. Publically Sabon stated that he remained "committed to the club" however within his autobiography he stated that whilst he "felt at home with Saint Sébastien, I needed to win trophies. The Copa run had given me hope, but I wanted to give it all the next season to get something, anything." Sabon's season started well enough, assisting twice in the first 5 games with the team winning 3 and drawing 2 to land them in 3rd place. However, a 4-0 decimation at the hands of Olympique de Lotrique during their 6th game really affected the team's form and displayed the gulf in quality between Saint Sébastien and the top teams. The stripes went winless in their next 5 games, dropping to 11th place. A further 5-1 mauling at the hands of eventual champions FC Chasteaulou greatly affected the morale of the team with speculation that manager Fellin would be sacked only worsening the mood. The team's Copa de Mydra form was not much better, as the team lost out to Vaelleniana in the Quarter-finals in a game where Sabon saw the first red card of his career for a stamp on striker Loeiz Gwennou. The incident saw Sabon start on the bench for the team's next game though he was brought on at half time as the team trailed 2-0. Sabon's contributions eventually saw the Stripes level to finish 2-2. By the end of the season Saint Sébastien finished 8th a respectable position but insufficient for Sabon's ambitions of silverware.

During the off-season rumours of a move began to boil over as Sabon refused a new contract. With only one year left on his current deal and a number of larger clubs circling, Saint Sébastien elected to sell the midfielder rather than risk losing him on a free the following season. Sabon would sign for Olympique de Lotrique for a fee of Đ30 million.

Return to Saint Sébastien

Sabon announces he will be re-joining Saint Sébastien in 2017

On 1 July 2017 it was announced that Sabon had rejoined his boyhood club Saint Sébastien on a free transfer following the conclusion of his contract with Olympique de Lotrique. Within the announcement press-conference, Sabon stated that he had always envisioned returning to the club in some capacity and that it was his desire to "ensure Saint Sébastien remain a top-flight club". Sabon also stated that the club would be funding his coaching badges, allowing for his transition into management. It was stated Sabon would be closely shadowing current manager Sergio Noboa with a view to coaching the under-23 team following his eventual retirement. With the onset of the 2017-18 season, Sabon was appointed as vice-captain though he spent much of his time on the bench, making only 9 league appearances and scoring only one goal in pre-season. Sabon stated that it was his desire to "make amends" for his lack of playing time and fitness the following season, though he was only able to make 4 appearances before being sidelined with an ankle injury for much of the season. Sabon returned for the final game of the season against Union de Mydroll which the team won ensuring survival.

Sabon made a considerably better start to the 2019-20 season and even featured within the starting XI a number of times owing to an injury to midfielder Sergi Pedragosa. Sabon scored his first professional goal following his return to Saint Sébastien during a 1-1 draw against Draquenbourg. Sabon came off the bench to score a 20-yard volley which levelled the game. Sabon also went onto score in his side's 3-2 win over Hellingbourg.

Style of play

Sabon playing for Olympique de Lotrique in 2014

Throughout his playing career Sabon was renowned as a tenacious, battling midfielder capable both offensively and defensively. Though usually utilised in a box-to-box role, Sabon was primarily deployed as an attacking-midfielder during his final years with Saint Sébastien and in a much deeper role during the final stages of his career. Sabon was known for his workrate and bravery, never shirking a challenge and always giving 100% for the team. Within his autobiography Sabon wrote that he "always demanded everything from myself and my team, whether it was training, a friendly, or la classique". It was this that made Sabon a quality leader and a role-model for the rest of the team both on and off the pitch. In addition to his workrate and leadership, Sabon was well known for his ability to tactically read the game and the opposition's playstyle. It was well known that in half-time team talks Sabon would regularly interject about tactics and methods of breaking down the opposition just as much as his manager. In an interview in 2017 then-Midrasia manager Klaes Van Emerik remarked: "He is the heartbeat of the team, the engine and he reads the game like a hawk. Every team needs a Henri Sabon in it. I think he is still the best in the world at that."

Sabon was also notable for his goalscoring ability from midfield primarily through long-range efforts or free-kicks. Sabon was regularly know to score through long-driving shots, particularly in a number of key games such as the 2014 Asuran League final. However, as Sabon's physical ability declined within his thirties a far larger percentage of his overall goals came in the form of free-kicks which he regularly took for Olympique de Lotrique along with Karsten Johansen.

Personal life

Sabon married Alena Morel in April 2005. The couple currently live in Saint Sébastien and have four children: Robert, Olivia, Mica, and Thierry. Both Robert, aged 13, and Mica aged 10 are currently enrolled in the Saint Sébastien youth program.

in 2018 a documentary was released covering the Sabon and the Midrasian national team in their attempts to win the 2016-17 Copa d'Aeia. The documentary depicts the tournament as Sabon's swan song with the national team. The team ultimately finished the tournament in 3rd place, with Sabon announcing his international retirement shortly after.

Autobiography

In December 2017 Sabon released his autobiography entitled Skipper: The Story of Henri Sabon. The book was ghost-written by Midrasian author Arthur Melo. The book quickly became a best-seller in Midrasia and won first prize at the Midrasian book awards the following year.

In 2019 Sabon stated that he was considering personally writing further additions to his autobiography detailing his return to Saint Sébastien as well as his first forays into management.

Sponsorship

Sabon has had a number of key sponsorships throughout his career, including Caribou, Âge and Démarrer Magazine. In 2015 Sabon was voted as the most prolific sports brand ambassador in all of Aeia by IQ Magazine. Sabon began his footballing career by wearing Radix Prima boots during his debut. However, in 2002 he signed a deal to wear Nasby boots, which he maintained throughout his early career, wearing the RenStreik brand of boots. In 2008 Sabon switched to Caribou which he maintained for the remainder of his career. Sabon was the primary face of the Tonnerre range of boots for much of his career which he wore in a white, black, and gold colourway. Sabon continues to wear and market Caribou products, though is now much less prolific in their marketing following his departure from Olympique de Lotrique.

Career statistics

Club

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Saint Sébastien	2000-01	Liga 2	6	0	—		—		2	0	8	0
Laterna Cardinaux	2001-02	Liga 3	23	3	2	0	—		2	0	27	3
Saint Sébastien	2002-03	Liga 2	24	2	1	0	—		2	0	27	2
	2003-04		46	12	2	1	—		4	0	52	13
	2004-05	Liga 1	38	4	1	0	—		5	0	44	4
	2005-06		38	6	4	0	—		6	1	48	7
	2006-07		38	7	3	1	—		5	1	46	9
	Total		213	34	13	2	—		26	2	332	38
Olympique de Lotrique	2007-08	Liga 1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2008-09		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2009-10		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2010-11		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2011-12		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2012-13		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2013-14		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2014-15		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2015-16		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2016-17		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Saint Sébastien	2017-18	Liga Premiére	9	0	1	0	—		3	1	12	1
	2018-19		5	0	0	0	—		2	0	7	0
	2019-20		7	2	0	0	—		3	1	10	3
	Total		21	2	1	0	—		8	2	29	4
Career Total			0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

International

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Midrasia
	2002	1	0
	2003	2	0
	2004	3	0
	2005	1	0
	2006	5	1
	2007	9	2
	2008	9	2
	2009	14	4
	2010	12	1
	2011	8	2
	2012	7	2
	2013	9	1
	2014	13	4
	2015	9	2
	2016	12	3
	2017	7	0
Total		121	23

Honours

Olympique de Lotrique

• AFA Asuran League: 2008–09, 2013-14
• Copa de Mydra: 2008–09
• FFA Champions Cup: 2016–17
• Liga 1: 2007–08, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17
• Supercopa Mydraziane: 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2016

Midrasian national team

• Copa d'Aeia: 2009, 2014

Individual

• Aeian Player of the Year: 2014
• Liga 1 Player of the Year: 2010-11, 2013-14
• Liga 1 Team of the Season: 2005-06, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2013-14, 2015-16
• FFA World XI: 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2013-14
• Champions Cup Team of the Tournament: 2016-17
• AFA Asuran League Team of the Tournament: 2008-09, 2011-12, 2013-14
• FFA Copa d'Aeia Team of the Tournament: 2009, 2010, 2014, 2016
• Olympique de Lotrique Player of the Season: 2010-11, 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17
• Saint Sébastien Player of the Season: 2005-06, 2006-07