Cléopâtre Darleux

Cléopatre Darleux (; born 1 July 1989) is a French former handball goalkeeper for the French national team.

She won the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics and also became World Champion in 2017

Career Early career Darleux started playing handball at US Wittenheim/Ensisheim followed by HBC Kingersheim. In 2005 she joined ES Besançon, where she became part of the first team. In 2007 she joined Issy les Moulineaux, where she signed her first professional contract. She played three seasons for the club. She then joined Metz Handball. Here she won the League Cup and French Cup in her first season, and French Championship and Cup in her second season.

Arvor 29 In 2011 she joined Arvor 29. During preseason training, an abscess formed on the cornea of her right eye, which almost blinded her. Throughout her recovery she could not wear contact lenses and therefore played wearing sports glasses. In the 2011-12 season she won the French Championship and Cup.

Viborg HK In 2012 she joined Danish side Viborg HK on a two year deal. Here she won the 2013-14 Danish Championship and Cup, as well as the EHF Cup Winners' Cup.

OGC Nice Handball In 2014 she joined Nice Handball.

Brest Bretagne In 2016 she joined Brest Bretagne Handball.

Between April 2019 and February 2020 she took a break from handball due to a maternity leave.

In 2021 she won the French Championship for a third time, and the same season she and the club reached the final of the Champions League, where they lost to Norwegian Vipers Kristiansand.

After the 2023-24 season she left Brest Bretagne.

Metz Handball In September 2024 she signed for Metz Handball. After the 2024-25 season she retired.

National team Darleux won the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics,

Darleux also became World Champion in 2017

Her last tournament with France was the 2024 Olympics at home, where France won silver medals, losing to Norway in the final.

Achievements

Club International

EHF Champions League Finalist: 2021 (with Brest Bretagne Handball) EHF Cup Winners' Cup Winner: 2014 (with Viborg HK)

Domestic

French league: Winner: 2011 (with Metz Handball), 2012 (with Arvor 29) and 2021 (with Brest Bretagne Handball) Runner up: 2017, 2018 and 2022 (with Brest Bretagne Handball) Tied 1st: 2020 (with Brest Bretagne Handball) French Cup (Coupe de France): Winner: 2010 (with Metz Handball), 2018 and 2021 (with Brest Bretagne Handball) French Women's League Cup (Coupe de la Ligue): Winner: 2010 and 2011 (with Metz Handball), 2012 (with Arvor 29) Runner up: 2016 (with OGC Nice) Danish league (Damehåndboldligaen): Winner: 2014 (with Viborg HK) Danish Cup: Winner: 2013 (with Viborg HK)

National team

Olympic Games 2012: 5th 2020: Best Goalkeeper (2): 2012 and 2018 Player of the month (6): March 2016, October 2016, April 2017, March 2018, September 2018, January 2022 European Championship Best Goalkeeper: 2022 Other: 2nd biggest champion of the year selected by L'Équipe in 2021

Honors

Inducted into the Legion of Honor with the rank of Chevalier: 2021