MalagasyFootballerMidfielderExpatriate

Baggio Rakotonomenjanahary

John Baggio Rakotonomenjanahary is a Malagasy professional footballer who primarily plays as an attacking midfielder, renowned for his tenure with Sukhothai FC and representing the Madagascar national team.

1. Early Life and Background

John Baggio Rakotonomenjanahary was born on 19 December 1991, in Antananarivo, Madagascar. His distinctive nickname, "Baggio," was given to him by his father, who was a great admirer of the legendary Italian forward Roberto Baggio, a prominent figure in 1990s football. From a very young age, Rakotonomenjanahary developed a deep passion for football, often playing with friends even without proper equipment, resorting to rubber balls or other spherical objects in place of a proper football.

His journey into professional football began when he was discovered by a scout from Academie Ny Antsika, a club based in Madagascar. Following his early development in his home country, he sought opportunities in Europe with aspirations of joining a well-known club. However, the intense competition among skilled footballers there proved to be a significant challenge, and he was unable to secure a place. It was during this period that he received advice from fellow Malagasy footballer Guy Hubert to consider a move to Thailand. Despite initial doubts and nearing despair, Rakotonomenjanahary received a pivotal phone call from Somsak Thepsutin, the chairman of Sukhothai FC, inviting him for a trial. During this trial, he was substituted into a match against Ratchaburi Mitr Phol for the final seven minutes and impressively managed to score a goal, leading to his eventual signing with the club.

2. Club Career

John Baggio Rakotonomenjanahary's professional career spans across clubs in Madagascar, Réunion, Switzerland, and Thailand, showcasing his journey through various footballing landscapes.

2.1. Early Career in Africa and Europe

Rakotonomenjanahary began his professional journey with Academie Ny Antsika in Madagascar, playing for the club from 2008 to 2010. Following his time there, he moved to Réunion to join US Stade Tamponnaise where he played from 2011 to 2013, making 117 appearances and scoring 2 goals. His career then took him to Switzerland, where he joined FC Concordia Basel for the 2013-2014 season, playing 8 matches and scoring 3 goals. In 2014, he moved to another Swiss club, BSC Old Boys, where he made 10 appearances and scored 6 goals.

2.2. Sukhothai FC

In 2015, John Baggio Rakotonomenjanahary made a significant move to Sukhothai FC in Thailand, a club where he would spend a considerable and impactful period of his career. During his initial spell from 2015 to 2021, he became a symbolic and integral player for the team. He made a total of 151 appearances and scored 48 goals. His contributions were vital in Sukhothai FC's success, notably helping the club win the Thai FA Cup in 2016.

2.3. Port FC and Later Career

Following Sukhothai FC's relegation to Thai League 2 at the end of the 2020-21 season, Rakotonomenjanahary transferred to Port FC on 18 May 2021. He joined Port FC with aspirations to compete in Asian club competitions. Despite the high expectations, he did not make any appearances or score any goals during his tenure with Port FC from 2021 to 2022.

In 2022, he moved to JS Saint-Pierroise, a club based in Réunion, making 20 appearances and scoring 1 goal. Subsequently, in 2023, he made a return to his former club, Sukhothai FC, where he has since made 14 appearances and scored 5 goals, reaffirming his continued presence and impact in the Thai football scene.

3. International Career

John Baggio Rakotonomenjanahary made his international debut for the Madagascar national team in 2011. Between 2011 and 2015, he earned 8 caps for his country, scoring a total of 1 goal.

4. Playing Style and Attributes

John Baggio Rakotonomenjanahary primarily plays as an attacking midfielder, a position that allows him to influence the game in the final third. He is also capable of playing as a forward, specifically as a right winger. Despite his relatively short stature, standing at 62 in (158 cm), he is recognized for his agility and technical prowess on the field. His playing style is often described as "small but fiery," indicating his intense and energetic approach to the game, which belies his physical size.

5. Honours

5.1. Club

  • Thai FA Cup: 2016 (with Sukhothai FC)

5.2. Individual

  • Thai League Player of the Month: November 2023

6. International Goals

Scores and results list Madagascar's goal tally first.

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.8 October 2011Addis Ababa Stadium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Ethiopia

2-22-42012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification