Lakhdar Belloumi
Lakhdar Belloumi (Arabic: لخضر بلومي; born in 29 December 1958) is a former Algerian football player and manager. He is widely considered as the best Algerian player of all time and one of the best players in Africa. He is said to have invented the "Blind Pass".[2] He is awarded the 4th best African player of the century.[3] He holds the record as the most capped Algerian player with 100 national caps[1] (147 caps not recognized by FIFA)[4] and is also the third best goalscorer of the Algerian national team in all time with 27 goals[5] (34 goals not recognized by FIFA).[6]
![]() Lakhdar Belloumi in 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Lakhdar Belloumi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of birth | 29 December 1958 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Mascara, Algeria | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing position(s) | Attacking midfielder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Retired | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1973–1974 | OS Mascara | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1974–1976 | OS Mascara | – | (–) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1976–1977 | SKAF El-Khemis | – | (–) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1977–1978 | GCB Mascara | 26 | (29) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1978–1979 | MP Oran | 25 | (11) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1979–1981 | MP Alger | 30 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1981–1987 | GCR Mascara | 60 | (27) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1987–1988 | Mouloudia d'Oran | 56 | (36) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1988 | Al-Arabi SC | 6 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1989–1990 | M. Oran / MC Oran | 27 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1990–1991 | GC Mascara | 4 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1991–1992 | USM Bel Abbès | 40 | (20) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1992–1993 | GC Mascara | 12 | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1993–1994 | MC Oran | 27 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1994–1996 | GC Mascara | 38 | (19) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1996 | MC Oran | 11 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1997 | GC Mascara | 13 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1997–1998 | ASM Oran | 17 | (9) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1998–1999 | GC Mascara | 25 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 417 | (204) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1974–1977 | Algeria U17 | – | (–) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1977–1978 | Algeria U20 | 4 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1979–1980 | Algeria military | – | (–) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1978–1989 | Algeria | 100[1] | (27) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1989 | Algeria futsal | 3 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Teams managed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2001–2002 | MC Oran | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2002–2003 | USM Bel-Abbès | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2003 | Al Tadamun SC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2004–2005 | Algeria | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2005–2006 | GC Mascara | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | Algeria (beach soccer) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | Algeria (beach soccer) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Honours
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* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Belloumi's goal against reigning European champions West Germany earned Algeria a stunning 2–1 victory in their World Cup debut in Spain '82.[7]
Club career
![](../I/m/Lakhdar_Belloumi_(champion_d'Alg%C3%A9rie_1984_-_GC_Mascara).jpg)
Belloumi spent almost his entire career at home (apart from a brief spell in Qatar late in his career), most notably with his hometown club GC Mascara, as well as MC Oran. He played also with MC Alger for two years during his military service in Algiers. He won two domestic championships during his career in 1984 with GC Mascara and in 1988 with MC Oran. After returning for another spell in Mascara in 1994, he continued playing until retirement in 1999.
Belloumi had contact with various European clubs, including Barcelona, before Spain '82, but "the law did not allow us to leave the country before the age of 27". In 1985, he caught the eye of Juventus after shining in a friendly against them, only to miss out on a dream transfer after breaking his leg in the African Champions' Cup in Libya against Al-Ittihad. He was understandably disappointed "It was a real shame for me that I couldn't go".[7]
Often overlooked for international recognition due to not joining a major European club, despite the interest of major European clubs (Juventus were reportedly very keen to acquire his services despite the performances of Michel Platini). Belloumi was recognised by any who watched him play, including the great Pelé, as a fantastic player.
- Belloumi with MC Oran in 1978-79
- Belloumi with GC Mascara in 1984
International career
Belloumi has a total of 147 caps and 34 goals for Algeria national team but only 100 caps and 27 goals are recognized by FIFA.[4][6] He participated at 1980 Summer Olympics, at two editions of FIFA World Cup (1982 and 1986), at four editions of Africa Cup of Nations (1980, 1982, 1984 and 1988) and at two editions of Mediterranean Games (1979 and 1983). In 1981, he was awarded African Footballer of the Year. Belloumi scored the winning goal in the 2–1 win over West Germany in the 1982 World Cup, and was a pivotal player in the Algerian national team throughout the 1980s. His last game for Algeria came in 1989.
Honours
Clubs
- GC Mascara
- MC Oran
- Algerian Championship: 1987–88; Runner-up 1989–90
- African Cup of Champions Clubs: Runner-up 1989
- Arab Club Champions Cup: Runner-up 2001 (as a manager)
International
- Mediterranean Games: Bronze medal 1979
- Africa Cup of Nations: Runner-up 1980; Third 1984, 1988
- Summer Olympics: Quarter final 1980
- FIFA World Cup: Participation 1982, 1986
Individual
- Awards
- Mediterranean Games 3rd best player: 1979
- Africa Cup of Nations best forward: 1980
- African Footballer of the Year: 1981; Third 1982
- Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 1980, 1984
- African Footballer of the 20th century: Fourth place
- IFFHS World Player of the Century #62: 2000
- CAF Merit Award: 2008 (to his career excellence)
- Algerian Footballer of the 20th century: 2009 (with Rabah Madjer)
- Algerian Footballer of the Year: Several awards
- Performances
- Algerian League goalscorer: 1978–79 with 11 goals
- Africa Cup of Nations goalscorer: 1988 (with R. Milla, A. Traoré & G. Abdelhamid) with 2 goals
Career statistics
Clubs
Club statistics
African competition
- Scores and results list Algeria's goal tally first. "Score" column indicates the score after the player's goal.
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 26 April 1980 | Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers | ![]() | 1980 African Cup of Champions Clubs | ||
2. | 24 May 1980 | Stade Robert Champroux, Abidjan | ![]() | 1980 African Cup of Champions Clubs | ||
3. | 7 June 1980 | Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers | ![]() | 1980 African Cup of Champions Clubs | ||
4. | ||||||
5. | 22 September 1989 | Stade Habib Bouakeul, Oran | ![]() | 1989 African Cup of Champions Clubs | ||
6. | 6 May 1994 | Stade Akid Lotfi, Tlemcen | ![]() | 1994 African Cup of Champions Clubs | ||
International statistics
National team statistics
Lakhdar Belloumi at National-Football-Teams.com
Algeria national team | ||
---|---|---|
Year | Apps | Goals |
1978 | 4 | 1 |
1979 | 11 | 5 |
1980 | 11 | 4 |
1981 | 9 | 6 |
1982 | 10 | 2 |
1983 | 10 | 2 |
1984 | 10 | 3 |
1985 | 3 | 1 |
1986 | 6 | 1 |
1987 | 10 | 1 |
1988 | 7 | 2 |
1989 | 9 | 0 |
Total | 100 | 28 |
International goals
- Scores and results list Algeria's goal tally first. "Score" column indicates the score after the player's goal.[8]
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 17 October 1978 | Stade 17 Juin 1976, Constantine | ![]() | Friendly | ||
2. | 9 April 1979 | Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers | ![]() | 1980 Summer Olympics qualification | ||
3. | 24 June 1979 | Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers | ![]() | 1980 African Cup of Nations qualification | ||
4. | 27 September 1979 | Stadion Rade Končar, Šibenik | ![]() | 1979 Mediterranean Games | ||
5. | 29 September 1979 | Stadion Poljud, Split | ![]() | 1979 Mediterranean Games | ||
6. | 21 December 1979 | Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers | ![]() | 1980 Summer Olympics qualification | ||
7. | 13 Marsh 1980 | Liberty Stadium, Ibadan | ![]() | 1980 African Cup of Nations | ||
8. | 16 Marsh 1980 | Liberty Stadium, Ibadan | ![]() | 1980 African Cup of Nations | ||
9. | 20 July 1980 | Dinamo Stadium, Minsk | ![]() | 1980 Summer Olympics | ||
10. | 24 July 1980 | Dinamo Stadium, Minsk | ![]() | 1980 Summer Olympics | ||
11. | 1 May 1981 | Stade 17 Juin 1976, Constantine | ![]() | 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification | ||
12. | ||||||
13. | 30 August 1981 | Stade 19 June 1965, Oran | ![]() | 1982 African Cup of Nations qualification | ||
14. | ||||||
15. | 10 October 1981 | Surulere Stadium, Lagos | ![]() | 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification | ||
16. | 30 October 1981 | Stade 17 Juin 1976, Constantine | ![]() | 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification | ||
17. | 16 June 1982 | El Molinón, Gijón | ![]() | 1982 FIFA World Cup | ||
18. | 11 September 1983 | Stade El Abdi, El Jadida | ![]() | 1983 Mediterranean Games | ||
19. | 28 October 1983 | Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers | ![]() | 1984 Summer Olympics qualification | ||
20. | 5 Marsh 1984 | Stade Bouaké, Bouaké | ![]() | 1984 African Cup of Nations | ||
21. | 17 Marsh 1984 | Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan | ![]() | 1984 African Cup of Nations | ||
22. | 10 October 1984 | Otto-Grotewohl-Stadion, Aue | ![]() | Friendly | ||
23. | 8 Marsh 1985 | Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers | ![]() | 1986 African Cup of Nations qualification | ||
24. | 14 December 1986 | Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers | ![]() | Friendly | ||
25. | 11 January 1987 | Stade El Menzah, Tunis | ![]() | 1987 All-Africa Games qualification | ||
26. | 13 Marsh 1988 | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca | ![]() | 1988 African Cup of Nations | ||
27. | 26 Marsh 1988 | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca | ![]() | 1988 African Cup of Nations | ||
International goals (not counted)
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 11 February 1982 | El Molinón, Gijón | ![]() | Friendly | ||
International goals (vs clubs)
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 29 November 1979 | Stade Frères Brakni, Blida | ![]() | Friendly | ||
2. | 5 January 1982 | Stade Francis-Le Blé, Brest | ![]() | Friendly | ||
3. | 23 May 1982 | Stade Gerland, Lyon | ![]() | Friendly | ||
4. | 5 August 1983 | Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Paris | ![]() | Friendly | ||
5. | 1 February 1984 | Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers | ![]() | Friendly | ||
6. | 5 February 1987 | Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers | ![]() | Friendly | ||
News
Belloumi was a subject of an arrest warrant in Egypt for almost 20 years following an incident in Cairo in 1989 when after a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying match a brawl erupted to the hostel residence of the Algeria team, between players of the Algerian squad and Egyptian supporters that left an Egyptian fan, doctor by profession, seriously injured in his eye by a broken bottle which was attributed to be thrown by Belloumi. From 2006, he was added among the lists of the accused in Interpol.
The Algerian authorities accused Egypt of wanting deliberately to accuse Belloumi who was the biggest star of the country, to make diversion against hostile events that Algeria team has suffered during the qualifying match in Cairo. Belloumi always claimed his innocence and teammates present at the incident had also testified before the Algerian justice that it was goalkeeper Kamel Kadri responsible for inflicting the injury.
The warrant was finally rescinded in April 2009 and Belloumi was cleared of all legal proceedings at the initiative of Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika in collaboration of the Algerian and Egyptian authorities.[9][10][11]
Further reading
- Grine, Hamid. (1986) Lakhdar Belloumi, un footballeur algérien, Algiers, Entreprise Nationale du Livre (Enal).
References
- Lakhdar Belloumi - Century of International Appearances
- "Les chroniques de Laurent Lasne – ''letierslivre.com''" (in French). Letierslivre.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
- Ingo Faulhaber. "Africa's best Player of the Century – IFFHS". Iffhs.de.
- "Football - Lakhdar Belloumi". Le Soir d'Algérie. H. B. 11 April 2011.
- Goalscoring for Algeria National Team
- "Top 10 - Les légendes de l'Algérie". TF1. Rédaction. 15 January 2013.
- Hart, Simon (13 June 2010). "Algeria struggle to match the fame of Belloumi and the shame of Spain '82 – International – Football". The Independent.
- "Lakhdar Belloumi - Century of International Appearances". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- "Belloumi to Echorouk: "Goalkeeper Kadri was responsible for eye injury suffered by Egyptian doctor in 1989"". Echoroukonline.com. 3 September 2012.
- "Interpol hands over Belloumi a document rescinding international arrest warrant issued against him". Echoroukonline.com. 3 September 2012.
- "Belloumi called for the first time to the victim". Lebuteur.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
External links
- Lakhdar Belloumi – FIFA competition record
- Lakhdar Belloumi at National-Football-Teams.com
- Profile at mouloudia.com (MC Oran official site) at the Wayback Machine (archived 16 December 2010)
- Profile at kazeo.com (MC Alger fansite)
- Lakhdar Belloumi interview at DZFoot.com at the Wayback Machine (archived 24 September 2009) (in French)
- Lakhdar Belloumi: The Wizard of Maghreb at A Halftime Report