Soualiho Meïté (born 17 March 1994) is a French professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder. He is currently on loan at Greek Super League club PAOK from Portuguese Primeira Liga club Benfica.
Early Career Born in Paris, Meïté began his football career in the youth academy of AJ Auxerre. He quickly progressed through their ranks, making his professional debut for the club in Ligue 2 during the 2011–12 season at the age of 17.
Club Career
- Lille OSC: In 2013, Meïté transferred to Ligue 1 side Lille OSC. He spent several seasons at the club, gaining experience and often being loaned out to further his development.
- Zulte Waregem (loan): A particularly successful loan spell came with Belgian club Zulte Waregem during the 2016–17 season. Meïté became a key player, helping the club win the Belgian Cup and qualify for the UEFA Europa League. His impressive performances attracted attention from larger European clubs.
- AS Monaco: Following his strong showing in Belgium, Meïté returned to France and joined AS Monaco in 2017.
- Torino FC: In 2018, he moved to Italy to join Serie A club Torino FC, initially on loan before the move was made permanent. He established himself as a regular starter in midfield, known for his robust playing style and strong defensive contributions.
- AC Milan (loan): In January 2021, Meïté joined Italian giants AC Milan on a loan deal with an option to buy. He featured in Milan's squad as they finished second in Serie A that season.
- S.L. Benfica: In 2021, Meïté moved to Portugal, signing with Primeira Liga powerhouse S.L. Benfica.
- PAOK FC (loan): For the 2023–24 season, he was loaned to Greek Super League club PAOK, where he continues to play a role in their midfield.
Playing Style Meïté is primarily known for his physical presence and defensive capabilities as a central or defensive midfielder. He possesses excellent ball-winning ability, strong tackling, and good positional awareness, making him adept at breaking up opposition play. He is also capable of distributing the ball effectively from deep positions.
International Career Meïté has represented France at various youth international levels, including the U17 and U19 teams. He has not yet received a call-up to the senior French national team.