Raïs M'Bolhi

Adi Raïs Cobos Adrien Ouahab M'Bolhi (Arabic: رايس وهاب مبولحي‎; born 25 April 1986), known as Raïs M'Bolhi, is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Al-Ettifaq and plays for the Algeria national team.

Raïs M'Bolhi
Personal information
Full name Raïs Ouahab M'Bolhi[1]
Date of birth (1986-04-25) 25 April 1986
Place of birth Paris, France
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Al-Ettifaq
Number 23
Youth career
1995–2002 Racing Paris
2002–2003 Marseille
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2005 Marseille B 49 (0)
2005–2006 Heart of Midlothian 0 (0)
2006–2007 Ethnikos Piraeus 5 (0)
2007–2008 Panetolikos 8 (0)
2008–2009 Ryūkyū 22 (0)
2009–2010 Slavia Sofia 27 (0)
2010 → CSKA Sofia (loan) 9 (0)
2010–2013 Krylia Sovetov 17 (0)
2011–2012 → CSKA Sofia (loan) 28 (0)
2013 → Gazélec Ajaccio (loan) 12 (0)
2013–2014 CSKA Sofia 17 (0)
2014–2015 Philadelphia Union 9 (0)
2015–2017 Antalyaspor 12 (0)
2017 Rennes 1 (0)
2018– Al-Ettifaq 59 (0)
National team‡
2002–2003 France U17
2004 France U18
2010– Algeria 75 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 9 September 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16 November 2020 (UTC)

Club career

Early career

M'Bolhi started playing football for RCF Paris. Then, he joined Olympique de Marseille, though he never made a league appearance before his release in January 2006.

After his release from Marseille, M'Bolhi was promptly recruited by Heart of Midlothian, one of 11 signings in the January transfer window.[2] However, along with fellow new buys with Luděk Stracený and Martin Petras, he was not retained for the 2006–07 season and left the club without having made a first-team appearance.

Prior to the 2006–07 season M'Bolhi signed with Greek club Ethnikos Piraeus, then competing in Beta Ethniki. M'Bolhi made 5 appearances for Ethnikos before leaving in the winter transfer period for Greek club Panetolikos, then competing in Gamma Ethniki.

In 2008 M'Bolhi played 22 matches for F.C. Ryūkyū in Japan Football League.

Slavia Sofia

In May 2009, Bulgarian Slavia Sofia signed M'Bolhi to a two-year deal. He made his competitive debut for Slavia on 14 June 2009 against Lokomotiv Sofia. In January 2010, M'Bohli was named the 2009 Best Goalkeeper of A PFG. The fans organization of Slavia named him the best player of the 2009–2010 season.

On 6 May 2010, M'Bohli joined on a two-day trial with English champions Manchester United, but was ultimately not selected to play on the squad.[3] On 23 June 2010, English club Newcastle United reportedly put in a bid for him for £1million.[4] On 22 July he was training with West Ham in their summer training camp in Germany.[5]

CSKA Sofia loan

He was loaned out to CSKA Sofia on 30 August 2010, until the end of the year. After some unstable performance from Ivan Karadzhov and Zdravko Chavdarov, M'Bolhi was expected to be the first choice goalkeeper for the rest of the first half of the season and the group stage of UEFA Europa League and he indeed established himself as the main goalkeeper for the "redmen". M'Bolhi did not play against his parent team Slavia Sofia in the seventh round of the Bulgaria A PFG due to a special clause in the loan agreement.[6]

Krylia Sovetov

On 16 December 2010, M'Bolhi was transferred to Russian side Krylia Sovetov Samara, signing a three-and-half-year contract. His debut came on 12 March 2011, in the 0–1 away loss against Spartak Nalchik, with the only goal being scored from the penalty spot. After the signing of Sergey Veremko, M'Bolhi found himself out of the first team.[7]

CSKA Sofia loan

He was loaned out to CSKA Sofia for a second time on 2 August 2011, for a year, and was first choice for the team, but was then recalled by the Russian club. During the summer of 2012, M'Bolhi briefly returned to CSKA Sofia with the intention of signing a permanent contract with the team. However, he was deemed surplus to the requirements by the manager following the team's elimination from the UEFA Europa League by Slovenian club Mura 05 in late July 2012 (despite the Algerian not participating in these matches).[8]

Gazélec Ajaccio loan

In mid January 2013, M'Bolhi was loaned out to Ligue 2 club Gazélec Ajaccio.[9] He made his debut on 1 February 2013, in the 0–2 away loss against RC Lens.[10] His team was relegated to the Championnat National at the end of the season and he rejoined CSKA Sofia in the summer of 2013, signing a three-year contract.[11]

CSKA Sofia (third spell)

M'Bolhi was initially the third choice goalkeeper for the "armymen",[12] but started to feature more often towards the end of 2013 after Tomáš Černý fell into disfavour.[13] On 8 March 2014, M'Bolhi kept a clean sheet in the 1–0 win over Levski Sofia in The Eternal Derby, but was sent off in the closing minutes of the match after an altercation with Larsen Touré where M'Bolhi smashed the ball on Touré's head.[14] He continued to be a regular for Algeria.

Philadelphia Union

On 30 July 2014, M'Bolhi was unveiled as a new signing of Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union.[15] M'Bohli had previously been linked to Trabzonspor, where he could have joined manager Vahid Halilhodžić and team-mate Carl Medjani.[16]

However, his debut was delayed until 25 August (a 4–2 home win over San Jose Earthquakes)[17] after he was involved in a car accident in Paris, France and had to resolve paperwork issues. M'Bolhi was presented with number 92 shirt for the club.[18][19]

However, as of 8 April, M'Bolhi was benched by the Union's head coach, Jim Curtin, citing poor performance during the Philadelphia Union vs. Sporting Kansas City game on 5 April.[20]

After playing in only 9 matches in the 2015 season, head coach, Jim Curtin said that M'Bolhi would never play again for Philadelphia.[21] M'Bolhi is rated as one of the worst signings in club history.[22]

Antalyaspor

On 24 August 2015, M'Bolhi signed for Turkish club Antalyaspor.

Stade Rennais

On 11 January 2017, M'Bolhi decided to sign a contract with French top flight club Stade Rennais, rejoining his former national team manager Christian Gourcuff.

International career
M'Bolhi in goal against England during the FIFA World Cup 2010 held in South Africa.

He earned his first call-up to France U17 national team in November 2002 for a friendly match against England.[23] In 2003, he was called up for friendlies against Portugal and Czech Republic.[24][25]

In June 2004 he received his first and only call-up to France U18 national team for the tournament in Salerno.[26]

Subsequently, he was called up by the Algerian Under-17 National Team but was not released by his club Olympique de Marseille.[27] On 4 May 2010 Rabah Saadane announced the list of 25 players who will intern in Crans Montana in Switzerland from 13 to 27 May; M'Bohli was on the list.[28][29]

On 28 May 2010, M'Bohli made his debut for Algeria in a 3–0 loss against Ireland after coming on as a second-half substitute. He conceded one goal, a penalty kick scored by Robbie Keane.[30] He made his second appearance for Algeria in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, keeping a clean sheet and impressing in the goalless draw against England.[31]

Landon Donovan's goal off of M'Bolhi's rebound in the 91st minute of Algeria's 23 June match-up against the United States in the 2010 World Cup was the only goal he conceded in the tournament.[32]

On 11 August 2010, M'Bolhi earned his fourth cap in the 1–2 loss against Gabon in a friendly match.[33]

He was also chosen as the starting goalkeeper for the first two games of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification and featured in 2014 World Cup qualification matches.[34]

On 9 September 2012, M'Bolhi was a key player for Algeria in a 1–0 away win over Libya in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match.[35] He was the first choice custodian for the country during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.[36]

M'Bolhi was Algeria's starting goalkeeper at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where the Algerians managed to qualify to the knockout rounds for the first time in history. His performance in the round of 16 against Germany, with a total of 11 saves, helped push the game into overtime. Algeria eventually lost 2–1, but M'Bolhi earned man of the match honors.[37][38]

M’Bolhi won his first title with Algeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He was Algeria's starting goalkeeper as he started every game of Algeria's tournament winning run and played every minute of the competition for Algeria. Moreover, he was named as "Man of the Match" against Senegal in the Final and was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament.[39]

Career statistics

Club
As of 9 September 2020[40]
Club Season Division League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Hearts 2006–07 Scottish Premier League 0000––00
Ethnikos Piraeus 2006–07 Beta Ethniki 5000––50
Panetolikos 2007–08 8000––80
Ryūkyū 2008–09 Japan Football League 22000––220
Slavia Sofia 2008–09 A Group 1000––10
2009–10 25030––280
2010–11 1000––10
CSKA Sofia (loan) 10000–60160
Krylia Sovetov 2011–12 RFPL 17000––170
CSKA Sofia (loan) 2011–12 A Group 28020–20320
Gazélec Ajaccio (loan) 2012–13 Ligue 2 12000––120
CSKA Sofia 2013–14 A Group 17020–00190
Philadelphia Union 2014 Major League Soccer 40–––40
2015 50–––50
Antalyaspor 2015–16 Süper Lig 12070––190
2016–17 00–––00
Rennes 2016–17 Ligue 1 00–––00
2017–18 10–––10
Al-Ettifaq 2017–18 SPL 9000––90
2018–19 22010––230
2019–20 28030––310
Career totals 221018000802470

International
As of matches played on 13 October 2020[41]
Algeria
YearAppsGoals
201070
201140
201260
2013100
201490
201570
201660
201760
201860
2019110
202010
Total730

Honours

Club

Heart of Midlothian

International

Algeria

Individual

References
  1. "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of players: Algeria" (PDF). FIFA. 14 July 2014. p. 1. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  2. Hearts add 7 more new players BBC Sport, 1 February 2006. Accessed 16 October 2006.
  3. LTD, Digital Sports Group. "Fergie prepares for clear out". Football.co.uk. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  4. Newcastle United interested in Algeria & Slavia Sofia goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi – report "Goal.com", 23 June 2010. Accessed 26 June 2010.
  5. "Hammers looking at M'Bohli". Sky Sports. 22 July 2010.
  6. Savov, Mihail (14 September 2010). "Венци: М'боли няма право да играе срещу "Славия", Богомил Дяков и Виктор Генев след време ще стават за национали". topsport.bg. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  7. ""Крылья Советов" отдали в аренду алжирского вратаря М'Боли". goals.by (Belarusian portal). Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  8. "ЦСКА отказа Мболи, продават Присо и Шеридън при първа възможност". sportal.bg. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  9. "Голкипер "Крыльев Советов" Мболи отдан в аренду в "Газелек Аяччо"". sports.ru. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  10. "Raïs M'Bolhi Ouhab match log". soccerway.com. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  11. "Официално: М'Боли се върна в ЦСКА, подписа договор за три години". topsport.bg. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  12. "ЦСКА не пуска Мболи, алжирецът иска да напусне". topsport.bg. 1 December 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  13. "Мболи записа рекорд в ЦСКА, изпревари Томас Черни". topsport.bg. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  14. "Levski Sofia vs. CSKA Sofia Matchcast". topsport.bg. 8 March 2014. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  15. Philadelphia Union Communications. "Philadelphia Union acquire FIFA World Cup veteran goalkeeper in Algerian Rais Mbolhi, veteran led Algeria to the knockout round 2014 FIFA World Cup". Philadelphia Union official website. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  16. "M'BOLHI, MEDJANI SET TO JOIN VAHID AT TRABZONSPOR". African Football Official Website. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  17. "Philadelphia Union vs. San Jose 4:2". flashscore.com. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  18. "Car accident delays Mbolhi's return to Philadelphia Union". Soccer Ly Website. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  19. "M'Bolhi debuts for Union in win over San Jose". Philly.com. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  20. "Benching of Rais M'Bolhi a step in the right direction for Philadelphia Union". Sports Illustrated Website. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  21. "Philadelphia Union's Rais M'Bolhi denies rift with teammates". ESPNFC Website. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  22. "Will Rais Mbolhi Go Down As The Worst Signing in Philadelphia Union History?". 9 April 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  23. "Liste des joueurs retenus !". fff.fr. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  24. "Liste des joueurs retenus". fff.fr. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  25. "La liste des joueurs retenus". fff.fr. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  26. "Les joueurs retenus". fff.fr. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  27. Djazair News Interview
  28. . 7 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100507201350/http://www.onlinesport.ro/stiri/fotbal/fotbal-intern/liga-1/steaua/62625/manchester-united-l-a-suflat-stelei-pe-mbohli.htm. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2018. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. "Sports - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency". www.novinite.com. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  30. "Republic of Ireland 3 Algeria 0: match report". Telegraph newspaper. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  31. "World Cup 2010: England v Algeria - as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  32. "Tactical Line-up – Group C: USA - Algeria 1:0" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  33. "Algeria: Saâdane makes slight changes". CAF Online. 11 August 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  34. "Adi MBOLHI - tournament statistics". FIFA official website. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  35. "AFCON 2013 Qualifier: Libya lose to last-gasp goal against Algeria". Tripoli Post. Archived from the original on 20 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  36. "African Nations Cup 2013". RSSSF. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  37. FIFA.com (30 June 2014). "African bravery, European victories". FIFA.com. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  38. "We've entered the history of Algerian football: keeper M'Bolhi - World Cup 2014 - Sports - Ahram Online". english.ahram.org.eg. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  39. CAF [@CAF_Online] (19 July 2019). "And the winner of the Total Man of the Match is R. M'bolhi!" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 July 2019 – via Twitter.
  40. "M'BOLHI Football Stats". soccerway.com.
  41. Raïs M'Bolhi at National-Football-Teams.com
  42. "Algeria hold on against Senegal to win Afcon". BBC Sport. 19 July 2019.
  43. "Mbolhi "Je suis satisfait de mon choix"". algerie360. 19 December 2010.
  44. @CAF_Online (19 July 2019). "The unbreakable M'bolhi has won the #TotalAFCON2019 best goalkeeper award" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  45. "خيسوس ومبولحي يخطفان جائزة الرابطة لشهر سبتمبر". spl. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
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