Djamel Belmadi
Encyclopedia
Djamel Belmadi is a retired Algeria
n footballer and current head coach of Qatar Stars League club Lekhwiya SC.
, France
, Belmadi started his career at Paris Saint-Germain, making his debut in January 1996 against Gueugnon
before spending a season at Martigues
. He spent the 1997–98 season at Marseille
, and then moved to Cannes
for the 1998–99 season. In August 1999, he was signed again by Marseille, but immediately went on loan to Spanish club Celta Vigo
, where he counted Benni McCarthy
of South Africa
among his team-mates.
In January 2000, Belmadi returned to Marseille, eventually securing a regular place in the first team’s midfield in 2000–01. In January 2001, he made good use of a rare opportunity presented him to play in Marseille's attack, when Liberian maestro George Weah
—who had been the main attacker—was away on international duty with the Lone Stars of Liberia
. Belmadi seized the opportunity to score a vital goal for Marseille against fellow strugglers Toulouse
to keep Marseille just outside the relegation zone.
On 14 April 2001, he scored the winning goal in Marseille's 2–1 victory over Sedan
, before a near–60,000 crowd, giving Bernard Tapie
's team a much needed lifeline out of relegation.
’s Manchester City
after a successful trial. He joined ranks with fellow Algerian, Ali Benarbia
.
He made his full debut for Manchester City on 29 January 2003 at Maine Road
in a 4–1 victory against Fulham
(alongside another recruit from the French league – David Sommeil
).
In his brief time at Manchester City, he only made 2 starts and 6 substitute appearances, the last of which was in a 1–0 defeat against Southampton
on 11 May 2003 in the final league game at Maine Road (when the only goal was scored by Michael Svensson
.)
Although Kevin Keegan liked Belmadi’s style of play, he conceded that he could not afford another free spirit in a side already containing Eyal Berkovic
and Ali Bernabia, so Belmadi returned to Marseille.
In August 2003, he was released by Marseille and played the 2003–04 and 2004–05 seasons in Qatar
with Al-Ittihad and Al-Kharitiyath
.
, Wigan Athletic
and Sunderland
, he joined Southampton
(now playing in the Football League Championship) for their pre-season tour of Scotland. Harry Redknapp
initially gave Belmadi a one-month contract, and he made his debut on 6 August 2005 in a 0–0 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers. His contract was extended until the end of the 2005–06 season after impressive performances in his early games, including a goal against Crewe Alexandra
on 27 August 2005. In January 2006 he picked up a thigh injury which put him out of the team until April.
He had, however, done enough to persuade Southampton, now managed by George Burley
, to re-sign him for the 2006–07 season, but again this was blighted by injury problems, including a knee injury picked up in September which put him out until February. He picked up several other niggling injuries putting him out for long periods. When fit, there was no doubting Belmadi's ability and quality on the ball whether playing on the left or right of midfield. At his best, he could unpick defences with his passing and kept the ball well. Unfortunately, his injuries restricted him to 40 appearances in his two years at St Mary's
. His contract with the Saints expired on 30 June 2007 and was not renewed as Southampton faced up to the financial realities of a third season in the Championship
.
. He retired from football in 2009.
on 9 July 2000 against Morocco
.
He was part of the Algerian 2004 African Nations Cup team, who finished second in their group in the first round of competition before being defeated by Morocco in the quarter-finals.
He last played for Algeria in a World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe
on 20 June 2004, having made 20 appearances scoring 5 goals.
|2000||2||0
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|-
!Total||20||5
|}
title, for the first time in the clubs history. He also led them to the final of the 2010 Sheikh Jassem Cup
, where they lost to Al-Arabi.
, was the victim of a theft by two bank workers. At the time Belmadi left Manchester City, he left £230,000 in an account with the Co-operative Bank. In total, the bank workers stole more than £350,000 from the accounts of the three players.
In January 2006, the bank workers, Paul Sherwood, a cashier, and Paul Hanley, his supervisor, were jailed for 32 months and 12 months respectively.
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n footballer and current head coach of Qatar Stars League club Lekhwiya SC.
France and Spain
Born in Champigny-sur-MarneChampigny-sur-Marne
Champigny-sur-Marne is a commune in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-Name:Champigny-sur-Marne was originally called simply Champigny...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Belmadi started his career at Paris Saint-Germain, making his debut in January 1996 against Gueugnon
FC Gueugnon
Football Club Gueugnonnais was a French association football club based in Gueugnon. The club was formed in 1940 and played in the Championnat National, the third level of French football, before entering liquidation in April 2011. Gueugnon played its home matches at the Stade Jean Laville...
before spending a season at Martigues
FC Martigues
FC Martigues play in the Championnat National, which is the third level of football in France. The club was formed in 1921 and played regional football until the early 1970s when the club gained promotion to the professional Second Division.The club's greatest achievement was winning promotion to...
. He spent the 1997–98 season at Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
, and then moved to Cannes
AS Cannes
Association Sportive de Cannes Football is a French association football club based in Cannes. The club was formed 1902 as a sports club and currently play in the Championnat de France amateur, the fourth division of French football. Cannes plays its home matches at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin...
for the 1998–99 season. In August 1999, he was signed again by Marseille, but immediately went on loan to Spanish club Celta Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
, where he counted Benni McCarthy
Benni McCarthy
Benedict Saul "Benni" McCarthy is a South African footballer who is currently contracted to Orlando Pirates in South Africa.McCarthy holds the record of international goals for a South African...
of South Africa
South Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
among his team-mates.
In January 2000, Belmadi returned to Marseille, eventually securing a regular place in the first team’s midfield in 2000–01. In January 2001, he made good use of a rare opportunity presented him to play in Marseille's attack, when Liberian maestro George Weah
George Weah
George Tawlon Manneh Oppong Ousman Weah is a Liberian humanitarian and politician, and an ex-footballer. He ran unsuccessfully for president in the 2005 election, losing to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the second round of voting...
—who had been the main attacker—was away on international duty with the Lone Stars of Liberia
Liberia national football team
The Liberia national football team, nicknamed the Lone Stars, is the national team of Liberia and is controlled by the Liberia Football Association. Although the country produced the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year, George Weah, they have never reached the World Cup finals...
. Belmadi seized the opportunity to score a vital goal for Marseille against fellow strugglers Toulouse
Toulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
to keep Marseille just outside the relegation zone.
On 14 April 2001, he scored the winning goal in Marseille's 2–1 victory over Sedan
CS Sedan Ardennes
Club Sportif Sedan Ardennes, commonly referred to as CS Sedan or simply Sedan , is a French association football club based in Sedan. The club was formed in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Sedan plays its home matches at the Stade Louis Dugauguez located...
, before a near–60,000 crowd, giving Bernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie is a French businessman, politician and occasional actor, singer, and TV host. He was Ministre de la Ville in the government of Pierre Bérégovoy, a businessman specializing in recovery for bankrupted companies, among which Adidas is the most famous ; and owner of sports teams...
's team a much needed lifeline out of relegation.
Manchester City
In January 2003, he had fallen out of favour at Marseille, now managed by Alain Perrin, who agreed to loan him to Kevin KeeganKevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
’s Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
after a successful trial. He joined ranks with fellow Algerian, Ali Benarbia
Ali Benarbia
Ali Benarbia is a retired Algerian footballer.-Career:Benarbia moved to France at a young age and began his career at FC Martigues in 1985. He was part of the side that was promoted to Ligue 1 in 1993, operating as a midfielder....
.
He made his full debut for Manchester City on 29 January 2003 at Maine Road
Maine Road
Maine Road was a football stadium in Moss Side, Manchester, England that was home to Manchester City F.C. from its construction in 1923 until 2003...
in a 4–1 victory against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
(alongside another recruit from the French league – David Sommeil
David Sommeil
David Sommeil is a retired French footballer who last played as a defender for Ligue 1 club Valenciennes.-Football career:...
).
In his brief time at Manchester City, he only made 2 starts and 6 substitute appearances, the last of which was in a 1–0 defeat against Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
on 11 May 2003 in the final league game at Maine Road (when the only goal was scored by Michael Svensson
Michael Svensson
Michael Lennart Svensson is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Halmstads BK in Superettan. He is best known at club level for his playing career with Southampton...
.)
Although Kevin Keegan liked Belmadi’s style of play, he conceded that he could not afford another free spirit in a side already containing Eyal Berkovic
Eyal Berkovic
Eyal Berkovic is an Israeli former footballer. He played as a midfielder.He is known in Israel by the nickname Ha-Kosem ....
and Ali Bernabia, so Belmadi returned to Marseille.
In August 2003, he was released by Marseille and played the 2003–04 and 2004–05 seasons in Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
with Al-Ittihad and Al-Kharitiyath
Al-Kharitiyath Sports Club
Al-Kharitiyath Sports Club is a Qatari football club. As of 2011/12 they play in the Qatar Stars League.-Current squad:-Former players:...
.
Southampton
In July 2005, after trials at CelticCeltic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
and Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, he joined Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
(now playing in the Football League Championship) for their pre-season tour of Scotland. Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp
Henry James "Harry" Redknapp is a former English footballer who has enjoyed a long career in football management starting in 1983 with Bournemouth. He is the current manager of Tottenham Hotspur....
initially gave Belmadi a one-month contract, and he made his debut on 6 August 2005 in a 0–0 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers. His contract was extended until the end of the 2005–06 season after impressive performances in his early games, including a goal against Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
on 27 August 2005. In January 2006 he picked up a thigh injury which put him out of the team until April.
He had, however, done enough to persuade Southampton, now managed by George Burley
George Burley
George Elder Burley is a Scottish football manager and former player and manager, formerly the manager of Crystal Palace Football Club. Burley had a professional career spanning 21 years as a player making 628 appearances and earning 11 Scotland caps...
, to re-sign him for the 2006–07 season, but again this was blighted by injury problems, including a knee injury picked up in September which put him out until February. He picked up several other niggling injuries putting him out for long periods. When fit, there was no doubting Belmadi's ability and quality on the ball whether playing on the left or right of midfield. At his best, he could unpick defences with his passing and kept the ball well. Unfortunately, his injuries restricted him to 40 appearances in his two years at St Mary's
St Mary's Stadium
St Mary's Stadium is the home of Southampton F.C., in the city of Southampton. It is a UEFA 4-star rated stadium and with a capacity of 32,689 is the largest football stadium in the south of England, outside of London.-History:...
. His contract with the Saints expired on 30 June 2007 and was not renewed as Southampton faced up to the financial realities of a third season in the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
.
Valenciennes
After being released by Southampton, he returned to France and joined ValenciennesValenciennes FC
Valenciennes Football Club is a French association football club based in Valenciennes. The club was founded in 1913 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city...
. He retired from football in 2009.
International career
He made his debut for AlgeriaAlgeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
on 9 July 2000 against Morocco
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
.
He was part of the Algerian 2004 African Nations Cup team, who finished second in their group in the first round of competition before being defeated by Morocco in the quarter-finals.
He last played for Algeria in a World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe national football team
The Zimbabwe national football team, nicknamed The Warriors, is the national team of Zimbabwe and is controlled by the Zimbabwe Football Association. They were known as the Southern Rhodesia national football team from 1939–1964, then the Rhodesia national football team until 1980, when Rhodesia...
on 20 June 2004, having made 20 appearances scoring 5 goals.
National team statistics
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International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 26 January 2001 | Stade 5 Juillet 1962 Stade 5 Juillet 1962 Stade 5 Juillet 1962 or 5 July 1962 Stadium , also known as El Djezair Stadium , is a football and athletics stadium located in Algiers, Algeria. The stadium was inaugurated in 1972 with a capacity of 105,000... , Algiers Algiers ' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000... , Algeria Algeria Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab... |
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification A total of 199 teams entered the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 32 spots in the final tournament. and , as the co-hosts, and , as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 29 spots open for competition.... |
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| 2. | 6 October 2001 | Stade de France Stade de France The Stade de France is the national stadium of France, situated just north of Paris in the commune of Saint-Denis. It has an all-seater capacity of 80,000, making it the fifth largest stadium in Europe, and is used by both the France national football team and French rugby union team for... , Saint-Denis Saint-Denis Saint-Denis is a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. Saint-Denis is a sous-préfecture of the Seine-Saint-Denis département, being the seat of the Arrondissement of Saint-Denis.... , France France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
Friendly match Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|||
| 3. | 11 October 2002 | Stade 19 Mai 1956 Stade 19 Mai 1956 Stade 19 Mai 1956 is a football stadium located in Annaba, Algeria. The stadium has a capacity of 50,000. and is an all-seater. It is currently used on a regular basis by football club USM Annaba who play in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1... , Annaba Annaba Annaba is a city in the northeastern corner of Algeria near the river Seybouse. It is located in Annaba Province. With a population of 257,359 , it is the fourth largest city in Algeria. It is a leading industrial centre in eastern Algeria.... , Algeria Algeria Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab... |
2004 African Cup of Nations (qualification) 2004 African Cup of Nations (qualification) -Qualified teams:-Qualifying round:The 52 nations were divided into 13 groups of four teams, with the 13 group winners and the best runner-up from all groups qualifying for the finals... |
|||
| 4. | 11 October 2002 | Stade 19 Mai 1956 Stade 19 Mai 1956 Stade 19 Mai 1956 is a football stadium located in Annaba, Algeria. The stadium has a capacity of 50,000. and is an all-seater. It is currently used on a regular basis by football club USM Annaba who play in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1... , Annaba Annaba Annaba is a city in the northeastern corner of Algeria near the river Seybouse. It is located in Annaba Province. With a population of 257,359 , it is the fourth largest city in Algeria. It is a leading industrial centre in eastern Algeria.... , Algeria Algeria Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab... |
2004 African Cup of Nations (qualification) 2004 African Cup of Nations (qualification) -Qualified teams:-Qualifying round:The 52 nations were divided into 13 groups of four teams, with the 13 group winners and the best runner-up from all groups qualifying for the finals... |
|||
| 5. | 12 February 2003 | Stade 19 Mai 1956 Stade 19 Mai 1956 Stade 19 Mai 1956 is a football stadium located in Annaba, Algeria. The stadium has a capacity of 50,000. and is an all-seater. It is currently used on a regular basis by football club USM Annaba who play in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1... , Annaba Annaba Annaba is a city in the northeastern corner of Algeria near the river Seybouse. It is located in Annaba Province. With a population of 257,359 , it is the fourth largest city in Algeria. It is a leading industrial centre in eastern Algeria.... , Algeria Algeria Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab... |
Friendly match Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|||
Managerial career
In the summer of 2010, Belmadi was appointed as the head coach of newly promoted Qatar Stars League club Lekhwiya. In his first season with the club, he led them to the 2010–11 Qatar Stars League2010–11 Qatar Stars League
The 2010-11 Qatari League or Qatari Stars League season will be the 38th edition of top level football championship in Qatar and started in September.-Teams:...
title, for the first time in the clubs history. He also led them to the final of the 2010 Sheikh Jassem Cup
2010 Sheikh Jassem Cup
The 2010 Sheikh Jassem Cup is the 32nd edition of the league cup competition for football teams from Qatar.Umm-Salal are the defending champions.- Round One Groups :14 clubs were drawn into 4 groups of 4 or 5 teams...
, where they lost to Al-Arabi.
Bank theft incident
Whilst he was with Manchester City, he, along with players Daniel Van Buyten and Vicente VuosoVicente Matías Vuoso
Vicente José Matías Vuoso is a Mexican footballer who currently plays as a striker for América.-Early Career:Matías Vuoso began his career in Argentina with Independiente. Playing alongside Diego Forlán, Vicente scored seven goals in 29 games for Independiente in 2000-01 and another seven in 35...
, was the victim of a theft by two bank workers. At the time Belmadi left Manchester City, he left £230,000 in an account with the Co-operative Bank. In total, the bank workers stole more than £350,000 from the accounts of the three players.
In January 2006, the bank workers, Paul Sherwood, a cashier, and Paul Hanley, his supervisor, were jailed for 32 months and 12 months respectively.