Lakhdar Belloumi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lakhdar Belloumi

Belloumi in 2017
Personal information
Date of birth	(1958-12-29) 29 December 1958 (age 66)
Place of birth	Mascara, Algeria
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder
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)
International career
1974–1977	Algeria U17	–	(–)
1977–1978	Algeria U20	4	(2)
1979–1980	Algeria military	–	(–)
1978–1989	Algeria	147	(34)
1989	Algeria futsal	3	(1)
Managerial career
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)
Medal record Player MC Oran Third Algerian Championship 1979 Winner Algerian Championship 1988 Runner-up African Cup 1989 Runner-up Algerian Championship 1990 GC Mascara Winner Algerian Championship 1984  Algeria Third Mediterranean Games 1979 Runner-up African Cup of Nations 1980 Third African Cup of Nations 1984 Third African Cup of Nations 1988 Manager MC Oran Runner-up Arab Cup 2001
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Lakhdar Belloumi (Arabic: لخضر بلومي; born on 29 December 1958) is a famous Algerian former football player and manager. He played as an attacking midfielder, a player who helps both defense and attack. Many people think he is the best Algerian player ever and one of Africa's top players.

Belloumi is known for inventing a special move called the "Blind Pass." This is when a player passes the ball without looking, surprising opponents. The IFFHS named him the fourth-best African player of the century. He holds the record for the most games played for Algeria, with 100 official matches. He is also the third-highest goal scorer for the Algerian national team, with 28 goals.

One of his most famous moments was scoring the winning goal against West Germany in the 1982 World Cup. This helped Algeria win 2–1 in their first-ever World Cup match.

Playing for Clubs

Lakhdar Belloumi, Algerian champion with GC Mascara in 1984

Lakhdar Belloumi spent almost his whole playing career in Algeria. He mostly played for his hometown club, GC Mascara, and also for MC Oran. He also played for MC Alger for two years while doing his military service.

He helped his teams win two national championships. He won with GC Mascara in 1984 and with MC Oran in 1988. He kept playing football until he retired in 1999.

Belloumi was a very talented player, and big European clubs like Barcelona and Juventus wanted him. However, Algerian laws at the time did not allow players to leave the country before they were 27 years old. In 1985, he had a chance to join Juventus after playing very well against them. Sadly, he broke his leg in an African Champions' Cup match, which stopped his dream move. He was very sad about missing this opportunity.

Even though he didn't play for a major European club, many people who watched him play knew he was amazing. Even the legendary player Pelé recognized Belloumi's great skills.

Playing for Algeria

Belloumi played 100 official matches for the Algerian national team and scored 28 goals. He also played in many other matches that are not officially recognized by FIFA.

He took part in many important tournaments for Algeria. These included the 1980 Summer Olympics, two FIFA World Cups (in 1982 and 1986), and four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (in 1980, 1982, 1984, and 1988). He also played in the Mediterranean Games in 1979 and 1983.

In 1981, he was named the African Footballer of the Year, which is a huge honor. His winning goal against West Germany in the 1982 World Cup is still remembered as a historic moment. He was a key player for Algeria throughout the 1980s. His last game for the national team was in 1989.

Achievements and Awards

Lakhdar Belloumi won many awards and titles during his football career.

Team Successes

• Algerian Championship:
  • Won with GC Mascara in 1983–84.
  • Won with MC Oran in 1987–88.
• African Cup of Champions Clubs:
  • Runner-up with MC Oran in 1989.
• Mediterranean Games:
  • Won a Bronze medal with Algeria in 1979.
• Africa Cup of Nations:
  • Runner-up with Algeria in 1980.
  • Finished third with Algeria in 1984 and 1988.
• Summer Olympics:
  • Reached the Quarter-finals with Algeria in 1980.
• FIFA World Cup:
  • Played in the tournaments in 1982 and 1986.

Individual Awards

• African Footballer of the Year: Won in 1981.
• Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: Chosen in 1980 and 1984.
• African Footballer of the 20th Century: Ranked fourth by IFFHS.
• Algerian Footballer of the 20th Century: Awarded in 2009 (shared with Rabah Madjer).
• Algerian League Top Goalscorer: In the 1978–79 season, he scored 11 goals.
• Africa Cup of Nations Top Goalscorer: In 1988, he scored 2 goals.

Family Life

Lakhdar Belloumi's son, Mohamed El Bachir, has also become a professional football player, following in his father's footsteps.

Images for kids

• 

  Belloumi with MC Oran in 1978–79

• 

  Belloumi with GC Mascara in 1984

See also

In Spanish: Lakhdar Belloumi para niños