Ibrahim Maaroufi
Encyclopedia
Ibrahim Maaroufi is a Moroccan
football midfielder
who is currently attached to Racing Mechelen
. He has represented both Morocco U-23
's and Belgium U-21
's at international level. In October 2007 Maaroufi declared himself for Morocco
rather than Belgium.
, but finally made his first team and Serie A
debut against Livorno
, 25 October 2006, as a substitute for Dejan Stanković
in the 82nd minute, becoming the second youngest player in the history of Inter, older than Goran Slavkovski
but younger than Giuseppe Bergomi
.
He played his first Coppa Italia
match as a starter for Inter Milan on 9 November 2006, against F.C. Messina Peloro
. He also played the return leg against F.C. Messina Peloro
. He played his part in helping Inter Milan reach the Coppa Italia
final however he didn't play in the final. In total Maaroufi made 6 appearances for Inter Milan with 1 coming in Serie A and 5 appearances coming in the Coppa Italia
.
to gain more experience when he was signed by Fred Rutten who had previously coached Maaroufi at PSV. Rutten left the club to join FC Schalke and was replaced by Steve McLaren
soon after.
in joint-ownership bid. He picked up a knee injury which rules him out of some games. However he was released by Vicenza in mutual consent on 24 August 2009.
outfit AC Bellinzona
.
club MVV Maastricht
on a free transfer, only to leave it at the end of the season; both experiences ended with no first team appearances at all.
champions Wydad Casablanca. He was however released later on December, after appearing in just two league games for the Moroccans.
announced the signing of Maaroufi in a free transfer. In July 2011 he was released by Eupen, after making just one first team appearance. Maaroufi then joined Belgian side AS Eupen, playing in the Belgium top flight, however his only appearance came as a second half substitute in the 1-0 home defeat to Standard Liege
in February. He was also an unused substitute on four occasions before being released by Eupen at the end of the season.
In August 2011, he joined Leeds United
on trial. He played for Leeds reserves against Farsley Celtic on 6 August.
in December 2006, but made his U-21 team debut for Belgium
against Sint-Truiden in February 2007. He was also called-up for the match against Serbia
in March 2007.
He played his last Belgian U-21 cap against Austria U-21
, on 7 September 2007.
Mararoufi said originally he would accept a call up to Morocco Under 21's only if he was made captain. He then accepted call-up from Morocco Olympics team again, for AFC Preliminary Competition - 2008 Olympic
in October 2007, verse Cameroon. In October 2007 Maaroufi declared himself for Morocco
rather than Belgium
.
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
football midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who is currently attached to Racing Mechelen
K.R.C. Mechelen
K.R.C. Mechelen is a Belgian association football club from Mechelen in the Antwerp province. It currently plays in the third division B. It is a long-time rival of KV Mechelen. The club's best position ever is a second place in the first division 1951–52...
. He has represented both Morocco U-23
Morocco national under-23 football team
Morocco Olympic football team represents Morocco in international football competitions in Olympic Games. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except three overage players...
's and Belgium U-21
Belgium national under-21 football team
The Belgium national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Belgium and is controlled by the Belgian Football Association. The team competes in the European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
's at international level. In October 2007 Maaroufi declared himself for 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...
rather than Belgium.
Career
Maaroufi started his career at Belgian giants Anderlecht before moving to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.Internazionale
He was called up to the first team many times by Roberto ManciniRoberto Mancini
Roberto Mancini is an Italian football manager, formerly an international player and current manager of Premier League club Manchester City.As a player Mancini was best known for his time at Sampdoria, where he played more than 550 matches, and helped them win the Serie A league title, four Coppa...
, but finally made his first team and Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
debut against Livorno
A.S. Livorno Calcio
Associazione Sportiva Livorno Calcio is an Italian football club based in Livorno, Tuscany. The club was formed in 1915 and currently plays in Italian Serie B. The team's colors are dark red or maroon...
, 25 October 2006, as a substitute for Dejan Stanković
Dejan Stankovic
Dejan Stanković is a Serbian association football player who plays for the Italian Serie A side Inter. He captained the Serbian national football team until 2011, when he announced his retirement from international football...
in the 82nd minute, becoming the second youngest player in the history of Inter, older than Goran Slavkovski
Goran Slavkovski
Goran Slavkovski is a Macedonian–Swedish footballer who is currently unattached.-Club career:He was nicknamed earlier in his career as "Ibrahimović II", because of his similar stature and style of play with Ibrahimović, and playing for FBK Balkan and Malmö FF.-Internazionale:Slavkovski made his...
but younger than Giuseppe Bergomi
Giuseppe Bergomi
Giuseppe Bergomi is a retired Italian footballer who spent his entire career at Internazionale, being equally at ease as a central or right defender....
.
He played his first Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
match as a starter for Inter Milan on 9 November 2006, against F.C. Messina Peloro
F.C. Messina Peloro
Associazione Calcio Rinascita Messina is an Italian football club based in Messina, Sicily. It currently plays in Serie D.- Brief history :The origins of the team go back to 1900 when Messina F.C was founded in the city. The club has spent most of its history in the lower Italian football leagues...
. He also played the return leg against F.C. Messina Peloro
F.C. Messina Peloro
Associazione Calcio Rinascita Messina is an Italian football club based in Messina, Sicily. It currently plays in Serie D.- Brief history :The origins of the team go back to 1900 when Messina F.C was founded in the city. The club has spent most of its history in the lower Italian football leagues...
. He played his part in helping Inter Milan reach the Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
final however he didn't play in the final. In total Maaroufi made 6 appearances for Inter Milan with 1 coming in Serie A and 5 appearances coming in the Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
.
FC Twente loan
At the start of 2008-09 season he was loaned to FC TwenteFC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
to gain more experience when he was signed by Fred Rutten who had previously coached Maaroufi at PSV. Rutten left the club to join FC Schalke and was replaced by Steve McLaren
Steve McLaren
Steve McLaren is a former professional ice hockey Winger who played primarily as an enforcer and was a member of the St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League....
soon after.
Vicenza
In February 2009, the last day of transfer window, he was sold to VicenzaVicenza Calcio
Vicenza Calcio is an Italian football club based in Vicenza, Veneto. The club was formed in 1902 and currently plays in Italy's Serie B, having spent the entire 1960s and a large part of the 1990s in Serie A...
in joint-ownership bid. He picked up a knee injury which rules him out of some games. However he was released by Vicenza in mutual consent on 24 August 2009.
AC Bellinzona
On 31 August 2009, Maaroufi agreed a three-year contract with Swiss Super LeagueSwiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
outfit AC Bellinzona
AC Bellinzona
AC Bellinzona is a Swiss football club based in Bellinzona. It was founded in 1904, and won the Swiss Super League in 1948.-History:Since Bellinzona is an Italian speaking region, many Italian Serie A clubs loan youth players to the club to get first team experience. AS Roma are a parent club to...
.
MVV Maastricht
In February 2010 Maaroufi agreed to return to the Netherlands, joining Eerste DivisieEerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
club MVV Maastricht
MVV Maastricht
MVV Maastricht is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Maastricht, founded on April 2, 1902...
on a free transfer, only to leave it at the end of the season; both experiences ended with no first team appearances at all.
Wydad Casablanca
On 1 June 2010, Maaroufi signed a two year contract with MoroccanMorocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
champions Wydad Casablanca. He was however released later on December, after appearing in just two league games for the Moroccans.
Eupen
On January 2011, Belgian Pro League club EupenK.A.S. Eupen
Königliche Allgemeine Sportvereinigung Eupen is a Belgian association football club based in the city of Eupen in the German-speaking Community of Belgium, in the province of Liège. They are a Belgian German-speaking club. They first reached the Belgian Pro League in the 2010–11 season. Eupen...
announced the signing of Maaroufi in a free transfer. In July 2011 he was released by Eupen, after making just one first team appearance. Maaroufi then joined Belgian side AS Eupen, playing in the Belgium top flight, however his only appearance came as a second half substitute in the 1-0 home defeat to Standard Liege
Standard Liège
Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
in February. He was also an unused substitute on four occasions before being released by Eupen at the end of the season.
In August 2011, he joined Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
on trial. He played for Leeds reserves against Farsley Celtic on 6 August.
International career
Maaroufi played for both Belgium and Morocco in youth level. He trained with the Morocco Olympics teamMorocco 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...
in December 2006, but made his U-21 team debut for Belgium
Belgium national under-21 football team
The Belgium national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Belgium and is controlled by the Belgian Football Association. The team competes in the European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
against Sint-Truiden in February 2007. He was also called-up for the match against Serbia
Serbia national under-21 football team
The Serbia national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Serbia and is controlled by the Football Association of Serbia....
in March 2007.
He played his last Belgian U-21 cap against Austria U-21
Austria national under-21 football team
The Austria national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Austria and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association....
, on 7 September 2007.
Mararoufi said originally he would accept a call up to Morocco Under 21's only if he was made captain. He then accepted call-up from Morocco Olympics team again, for AFC Preliminary Competition - 2008 Olympic
Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics - Men's qualification
The men's qualification for football tournament at the 2008 Summer Olympics. FIFA restricted entry to players born after January 1, 1985.-Qualifications:A total of sixteen teams participated in the finals of the Olympic tournament for men...
in October 2007, verse Cameroon. In October 2007 Maaroufi declared himself for Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
rather than Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
.