Best of rabah madjer biography

The tendency to categorise and rate the footballing talents Africa has produced is something of a modern phenomenon. This is due in part to the perception that African players have been somewhat late to the party in terms of making an impact on a global stage. As such the majority of the ‘greatest African footballers’ lists are weighted greatly towards players of the mid- 90s onwards, give or take a dancing Cameroonian.

One player who is consistently overlooked is Mustapha Rabah Madjer. A player of unheralded finesse and technical ability on the pitch, only matched by his combative nature off it.

His footballing attributes led to him becoming not only Algeria’s greatest footballing export but also a symbol for a nation to latch onto as it searched for its identity.

Madjer was born in the costal city of Algiers in 1958. The city was at the epicentre of the Algerian independence movement, which sought to throw off the shackles of French colonialism. A bloody and vicious war was fought between the various factions and the French troops sent to maintain order – a war that resulted in Algerian independence and the fall of the 4th French republic.

Madjer’s family, being Muslims, had been prevented from holding jobs of higher office or gaining meaningful education under French rule. Prospects were just as limited in a shattered post-war economy. Madjer had first hand experience of poverty and the debilitating effect it could have on people’s lives. Such determination to escape it made for a potent mix for a young boy also blessed with such natural talents.

Rabah’s first step in his footballing career was with NA Hussein Dey. A series of impressive performances across a spectrum of attacking positions Madjer soon gained domestic plaudits. He was likened to Johan Cruyff, a player whom Madjer sited as an inspiration in his formative years.

Madjer was incredibly patriotic, there is no on

Rabah Madjer is considered one of the most prominent football stars in the history of Algeria, as his football career began at the “Hussein Dey” club, where he played until he was 25 years old.

Madjer then moved to France, where he played for the “Racing” and “Tour” clubs, before moving in 1985 to the Portuguese club “Porto”, with whom he witnessed the most prominent stages of his football career.

Madjer achieved great achievements with Porto, most notably winning the European Champion Clubs Cup (currently the Champions League), the European Super Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup.

In the European Champion Clubs’ Cup final, Madjer scored a stunning backheel goal and set up another goal, making him the tournament’s top scorer.

Madjer concluded his professional career at Qatar Sports Club. At the international level, Madjer was one of the most prominent stars of the Algerian national team, where he played with them for 14 years and participated in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

Madjer played 87 international matches with the Algerian national team and scored 31 goals, making him the all-time top scorer for the Algerian national team.

Thanks to his achievements and creativity on the field, Rabah Madjer remains an immortal symbol in the memory of Algerian and international football.

Algerian Star Riyad Mahrez Requests Time to Determine His Future with the National Team

Algerian footballer (born 1958)

For the Portuguese beach soccer player, see Madjer.

Rabah Mustapha Madjer (Arabic: رابح مصطفى ماجر; born 15 December 1958) is an Algerian former professional footballer who played as a striker.

He reached stardom as a Porto player during the 1980s, being widely regarded as one of the best Algerian football players of all time. In his six-year spell with that club, he won nine major titles, including three national championships and the 1987 European Cup.

One of the most prolific Algeria internationals in number of games and goals, Madjer played in two World Cups with his national team, helping it to its first ever participation in 1982. Having taken up coaching immediately after retiring, he managed several clubs, and also had several spells with the Algeria national team.

Club career

Born in the Algiers district of Hussein Dey of Kabyle origin (Tigzirt), Madjer started his European career in 1983, moving to Racing Club de France football Colombes 92 from local NA Hussein Dey. He stayed there for one and a half seasons, finishing 1984–85 with another French side, Tours FC.

Madjer arrived at FC Porto in 1985–86 and, the following campaign, entered the club's history books in the final of the European Cup against Bayern Munich, scoring the 1–1 equalizer in a memorable final, which eventually ended 2–1 to the Portuguese, and also setting up the winner of Juary.Pelé is believed to have said of this goal: "It would have been the greatest goal I have ever seen, if he had not looked back at it." He also netted in the club's Intercontinental Cup conquest the same year.

After that stellar 1987, Madjer won the Ballon d'or Africain, but was not allowed to compete for the European Golden Ball as he was not born in the region. In the first part of 1987–88 he scored ten times from only 11 appearances