Malo Arthur Gusto, commonly known as Malo Gusto, is a French professional soccer player who plays for the Premier League club Chelsea and the France national team as a left-back. A product of Olympique Lyon’s youth academy, he spent his early career with Lyon before moving to Chelsea in June 2023.
At 20 years old, the highly-rated defender is renowned for his versatility and explosive playing style, incorporating physicality and impeccable technical ability into his game. Gusto epitomizes the modern full-back, showcasing defensive and offensive prowess that establishes him as one of the best talents.
This article delves into the key aspects of the French talent’s life, exploring his early years, family background, net worth, career, and more.
| Name | Malo Arthur Gusto |
| Age | 20-years-old |
| Nationality | French |
| Birth Place | Lyon, France |
| Date of Birth | May 19, 2003 |
| Height | 1.78 m |
| Star Sign | Taurus |
| Position | Defender; Right-back |
| Clubs | Olympique Lyon & Chelsea |
| Net worth | €2 million |
Malo Gusto | Early life and family
Malo Gusto was born in Décines-Charpieu, a commune in the Metropolis of Lyon in eastern France. Hailing from a middle-class household, his family originally comes from Martinique, a West Indies Island nation. Malo’s father, Phillipe Gusto, works for the French railway company, while his mother serves as a director in a French association focused on welfare.
Malo Gusto was the only child of his parents but grew up in an extended family. Initially, his father’s passion for rugby led Malo to join a local rugby team. However, fate had different plans for him, and he later switched to soccer. In his family, education held significant importance, with his parents ensuring a balance between his academic pursuits and sports.
Malo Gusto | Club Career
During his early academy days, Malo Gusto played as an attacker with AS Villefontaine in 2012, where he spent three years before moving to another local club, Bourgoin-Jallieu. His one-year stint there marked the beginning of his career, and his impressive performances caught the eye of Olympique Lyon’s scouts during a local tournament.
Olympique Lyon
In 2016, Malo Gusto signed his first professional contract at 14, marking his official entry into the Lyonnaise Academy. Olympique Lyon’s youth system is recognized as one of the most elite talent producers in France, providing Gusto with the opportunity to polish his skills and nurture his talent within a professional environment and top-class facilities.
It was during his time with the youth team that Gusto made the transition to a defender, primarily opting for the right-back position, a decision that proved to be the best for him. His background in rugby training also played a role in enhancing his skills and overall game. Climbing the ranks with his talent, he progressed to join the U19 team and, a year later, secured a spot in the club’s reserve squad in 2020.
In January 2021, Gusto made his first appearance for the first team as a substitute, coming on for the current Newcastle star Bruno Guimares in Ligue 1. Following several more impactful appearances, he secured another contract with Lyonnaise, extending his commitment until 2024
Next season, Malo Gusto secured a spot as a regular player on the main team. He marked a significant milestone by making his first start for the club in the season opener against Brest in August. This accomplishment earned him the title of the youngest defender to start in a French league.
Chelsea
Sensing the potential of the French talent, Premier League side Chelsea paid a £30 million transfer fee to secure his signature on a long-term deal that runs until 2030 in the January window of 2023. However, he was allowed to stay at Lyon for the remainder of the season on loan to ensure regular minutes and further development.
The right-back officially arrived in the English capital to don the blue Chelsea jersey at the start of the season in August. Gusto made his debut in the league opener against Liverpool and has since earned a place in Mauricio Pochettino’s team, making a total of 19 appearances and providing 4 assists this season.
Malo Gusto | International Career
Malo Gusto has represented the French youth team at various age group levels. He initially played as a midfielder in the Under-16 youth squad before transitioning to a full-back during his Under-17 and Under-18 days, showcasing his versatility as he progressed through the national team setup.
The pinnacle of his career arrived when the left-back received a call-up to the France men’s team under Didier Deschamps in August of last year. Initially remaining on the bench in a friendly against Scotland, he later made a 10-minute appearance in the 2-1 victory over the Dutch in the European qualifiers.
Malo Gusto | Records and statistics
Malo Gusto’s statistics, encompassing all his appearances and goal contributions for the teams he has played for so far, are presented in the table below:
| Teams | Matches | Goals | Assists |
| Olympique Youth | 13 | 1 | 1 |
| Olympique Lyon | 61 | 0 | 6 |
| Chelsea Football Club | 19 | 0 | 4 |
| France Youth team | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| France senior team | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Malo Gusto | Net Worth
Reportedly, Malo Gusto has an estimated net worth of €2 million, primarily attributed to his salary at Chelsea. He earns an annual salary of £2.3 million at Stamford Bridge.
FAQ
| 1. How old is Malo Gusto? |
| Malo Gusto is currently 20 years old. |
| 2. When did he make his Chelsea debut? |
| He made his Chelsea debut on August 13, 2023. |
| 3. What is the birthplace of Gusto? |
| Malo Gusto was born in Lyon, France. |
| 4. How many appearances has he made for OL? |
| Gusto has made 61 appearances for Olympique Lyonnais. |
| 5. What position does Gusto play? |
| He predominantly plays as a right-back. |