Mohamad Ghaddar facts for kids

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Mohamad Ghaddar

Ghaddar with Nejmeh in 2021
Personal information
Full name	Mohamad Mahmoud Ghaddar
Date of birth	(1984-01-01) 1 January 1984 (age 41)
Place of birth	Beirut, Lebanon
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Youth career
1998–2000	Nejmeh
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2000–2009	Nejmeh		(52)
2009–2010	Al-Shabab	18	(5)
2010–2011	Al Ahly	4	(0)
2011	Tishreen	11	(5)
2011	Al-Jaish	6	(1)
2011–2013	Kelantan	17	(9)
2013	FELDA United	6	(2)
2013–2014	Kelantan	14	(4)
2014–2016	Naft Al-Wasat	12	(5)
2016	Tripoli	0	(0)
2016	Al-Faisaly	1	(1)
2017	Kelantan	11	(18)
2017	Johor Darul Ta'zim	10	(5)
2018	Kelantan	5	(1)
2019–2020	Johor Darul Ta'zim II	15	(7)
2020–2022	Nejmeh	19	(5)
Total		149+	(120)
International career
1999–2001	Lebanon U20
2001–2004	Lebanon U23
2006–2017	Lebanon	46	(19)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mohamad Mahmoud Ghaddar is a famous Lebanese former professional footballer. He was born on January 1, 1984. Ghaddar played as a forward, which means he was a player who mainly tried to score goals.

He started his senior career at Nejmeh in Lebanon in 2000. He played there for nine years and won many titles. Later, he played for clubs in Bahrain, Egypt, Syria, and Malaysia. In Egypt, he helped Al Ahly win the league title. In Malaysia, he played for Kelantan and Johor Darul Ta'zim, where he became the top scorer in the league.

Ghaddar also played for the Lebanon national team from 2006 to 2017. He played in many important matches, including World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers. With 19 goals in 46 games, he is one of Lebanon's top goal scorers ever. He retired from football in 2022.

Club Career Highlights

Starting at Nejmeh

Mohamad Ghaddar began his football journey at Nejmeh in Lebanon. He joined their youth team in February 1998. After two years, he moved up to the main team in 2000. He was part of the team that won the Lebanese Premier League title in the 1999–2000 season. This was a big win for the club, as it was their first league title in over 20 years.

During his time at Nejmeh, Ghaddar became a very important player. He helped the team win four more league titles. He also won awards for being the top scorer in the league multiple times. This made him known as one of Lebanon's best strikers.

Playing in Bahrain and Egypt

In December 2009, Ghaddar moved to Bahrain to play for Al-Shabab. He scored his first goal for them in March 2010. He scored five goals in six games, which helped his team avoid being moved down to a lower league.

In 2010, Ghaddar made history by becoming the first Lebanese player to join Al Ahly, a big club in Egypt. He helped them win the league title. However, he only stayed with the club for six months.

Time in Syria

After leaving Egypt, Ghaddar played for two clubs in Syria. He joined Tishreen for a short time in 2010. Then, in the same year, he moved to Al-Jaish.

Success with Kelantan in Malaysia

Ghaddar celebrating a goal with Kelantan in 2012

In November 2011, Ghaddar signed a two-year contract with Kelantan FA in Malaysia. He quickly showed his skills, even scoring a penalty in his first friendly match.

He helped Kelantan win the Malaysia FA Cup for the first time in 2012. He scored the only goal in the final match, which was a penalty kick. This was a big achievement for both him and the club. He also helped Kelantan win the Malaysia Super League and the Malaysia Cup in 2012.

Short Stay at FELDA United

After his first time at Kelantan, Ghaddar joined FELDA United in 2013. He scored a goal in his very first game for them. However, he got a back injury in March 2013 and had to stop playing. His club then signed a new player to replace him.

Returning to Kelantan (Multiple Times!)

Ghaddar returned to Kelantan for a second time in 2014. He scored two goals in his first game back. However, his contract was ended in April of that year.

He returned to Kelantan for a third time in January 2017. He had an amazing season, scoring 18 goals in just 11 matches! This made him a very popular player.

In February 2018, Ghaddar came back to Kelantan for a fourth time. He played a few games but then suffered an injury. His contract was ended by agreement in May.

Playing for Johor Darul Ta'zim

In May 2017, after his great performance at Kelantan, Ghaddar moved to Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT). This was a big move, and he was reported to be one of the highest-paid players in Malaysian football history.

He made his debut for JDT in May 2017 and helped them win their first game. He scored his first goal for JDT in July 2017. He continued to score important goals, helping JDT win the Malaysia Super League title. He finished the season with five goals in 10 league games for JDT. He also helped them win the Malaysia Cup.

Johor Darul Ta'zim II and Final Return to Nejmeh

In 2019, Ghaddar played for Johor Darul Ta'zim II, which is the reserve team for JDT. He scored seven goals in 15 league games for them. He also helped them win the Malaysia Challenge Cup.

Finally, in September 2020, Ghaddar returned to his first club, Nejmeh, in Lebanon. He played there for two more years before retiring from professional football in June 2022, at the age of 38.

International Career

Youth Teams

Ghaddar (right) playing for Lebanon in a 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification game against Iran

Mohamad Ghaddar played for Lebanon's youth national teams. He was part of the Lebanon national under-20 football team. He also played for the Lebanese under-23 team. This team reached the final round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Senior National Team

Ghaddar made his debut for the senior national team in 2006. He played in many important matches for his country. These included qualifying games for the FIFA World Cup in 2010, 2014, and 2018. He also played in qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup in 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019.

He scored a goal against the Brazil Olympic team in a friendly match in 2014, which ended in a 2–2 draw. Ghaddar is Lebanon's third-highest goalscorer, with 19 goals in 46 appearances. He last played for the national team in 2017.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances and Goals

International Appearances and Goals

Awards and Honours

Mohamad Ghaddar has won many awards and honours throughout his career:

• The Lebanon national team honoured Ghaddar for being the top scorer of the 2007 AFC Cup.
• In March 2021, the AFC named Ghaddar as one of the best all-time strikers in the AFC Cup.

Team Honours

• Nejmeh
  • Lebanese Premier League: 2003–04, 2004–05
  • Lebanese FA Cup: 2021–22
  • Lebanese Elite Cup: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
  • Lebanese Super Cup: 2002, 2004

• Al Ahly
  • Egyptian Premier League: 2010–11

• Kelantan
  • Malaysia Super League: 2012
  • Malaysia Cup: 2012
  • Malaysia FA Cup: 2012, 2013

• Johor Darul Ta'zim
  • Malaysia Super League: 2017
  • Malaysia Cup: 2017

• Johor Darul Ta'zim II
  • Malaysia Challenge Cup: 2019

Individual Honours

• Lebanese Premier League Team of the Season: 2006–07, 2007–08
• AFC Cup top scorer: 2007
• Lebanese Premier League top scorer: 2006–07, 2007–08
• Malaysia Super League top scorer: 2017

See also

• List of Lebanon international footballers