Abdessalam Benjelloun Explained

Abdessalam Benjelloun
Birth Date:1985 1, df=yes
Birth Place:Fes, Morocco
Height:1.85 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Raja Beni Mellal
Clubnumber:11
Youthyears1:–2003
Youthclubs1:Wydad de Fès
Years1:2003–2006
Clubs1:Maghreb Fez
Years2:2006–2010
Caps2:81
Goals2:11
Clubs2:Hibernian
Years3:2008–2009
Caps3:8
Goals3:1
Clubs3:Charleroi (loan)
Years4:2009
Caps4:14
Goals4:6
Clubs4:Roeselare (loan)
Years5:2010–2011
Caps5:7
Goals5:0
Clubs5:Ismaily SC
Years6:2011
Caps6:0
Goals6:0
Clubs6:Raja Casablanca
Years7:2011–2012
Caps7:17
Goals7:6
Clubs7:Wydad de Fès
Years8:2012–2013
Caps8:24
Goals8:9
Clubs8:FUS Rabat
Years9:2013–2015
Caps9:40
Goals9:7
Clubs9:FAR Rabat
Years10:2015–2017
Caps10:47
Goals10:8
Clubs10:FUS Rabat
Years11:2017–2018
Caps11:21
Goals11:0
Clubs11:Kawkab Marrakech
Years12:2018–2019
Clubs12:Wydad de Fès
Years13:2019–
Caps13:11
Goals13:2
Clubs13:Raja Beni Mellal
Nationalyears1:2004–2008
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:3
Nationalyears2:2008–2016
Nationalcaps2:21
Nationalgoals2:5
Club-Update:20:45, 23 February 2020 (UTC)

Abdessalam Benjelloun (Arabic: عبد السلام بن جلون|ʿAbd as-Salām bin Jallūn; born 28 January 1985) is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a forward for Raja Beni Mellal.[1]

Benjelloun started his career in his native Morocco, before moving to Scottish Premier League club Hibernian in 2006. Benjelloun had some success at Hibs, scoring twice in the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final win, but was twice loaned to Belgian clubs afterwards before being released at the end of his contract in 2010. Benjelloun then signed for Egyptian Premier League club Ismaily SC, but returned to his native Morocco in January 2011. At the international level, he represented the Morocco national team.

Club career

Hibernian

Benjelloun was born in Fes. He trained with Hibernian for several weeks during the early part of 2006, while Hibs assessed whether to sign him from his hometown club Maghreb Fez. Hibs then had to undertake the complex process of obtaining the documentation needed to sign him. During this time, rumours grew on Hibs-related internet sites that Hibs had unearthed a major talent, so expectations were high when Benjelloun's signing was formally announced in March 2006.[2]

He made his debut for Hibernian in the 2006 Scottish Cup semi-final loss to local rivals Hearts on 2 April 2006.[3] Manager Tony Mowbray was forced to play Benjelloun in that game because of injury (Chris Killen), suspension (Derek Riordan), cup transfer rules (Paul Dalglish) and the sale of Garry O'Connor.

Benjelloun demonstrated his potential in the Edinburgh derby on 22 April 2006, when he came off the bench to score the winning goal. 'Benji' became an instant hero with the Hibernian supporters, although his goal celebration caused some controversy.[4] He ran wildly towards the Hearts supporters, having scored the goal at the other end of the ground. Fortunately the Hibs goalkeeper, Zibi Małkowski, managed to prevent Benji from reaching the Hearts supporters, or a major incident could have ensued.

A fellow Moroccan, Merouane Zemmama, was signed by Hibs at the start of the 2006–07 season. It was thought that this should help Benji to settle into Scottish football, and he rewarded Hibs with two goals in the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final victory against Kilmarnock.[5] Benjelloun was then expected to feature prominently during the 2007–08 season, but he suffered a season plagued by injuries, scoring only one goal in competitive matches. He was the subject of interest from Belgian First Division A clubs. Anderlecht were reported to be watching him[6] and Westerlo had an offer rejected in July 2008.[7]

After Benjelloun completed two loan spells during the 2008–09 season, new Hibernian manager John Hughes claimed that Benjelloun still had a future at the club.[8] On 20 July 2009, Egyptian Premier League club Al Ahly claimed that they had signed Benjelloun on a three-year contract,[9] [10] but the deal was cancelled days later.[11] Benjelloun eventually returned to training with Hibs in early August, and he scored the winning goal in their first game of the 2009–10 season.[12] He held down a regular place in the side playing as a second striker during the next few months, but struggled for first team action after this and was released at the end of the season.[13] At the last game of the season, Benji was shown to be in tears, perhaps anticipating his release.[14]

Charleroi

Hibs agreed to loan Benji to Charleroi in August 2008 on a season long loan, with the Belgian side having the option to purchase the player outright.[15] The deal was confirmed that day on the official site of Charleroi, with Benjelloun pictured in his new side's colours.[16] Despite scoring on his debut against Roeselare, Benji failed to hold down a regular spot and made only eight appearances during his loan spell. The Scotsman newspaper reported on 2 January 2009 that Benjelloun had "endured" a difficult spell in Belgium due to injuries.[17] Charleroi decided not to exercise their option to sign Benjelloun, which meant that he returned to Hibs.[18] Benjelloun later commented that he had experienced personal problems during his time with Charleroi.[19]

Roeselare

Sharjah-based club Al Shaab reached an agreement in principle to sign Benjelloun,[18] but could not conclude a deal with Hibs. Towards the end of the transfer window, Benjelloun signed on loan for another Belgian First Division A club, Roeselare,[20] until the end of the season. Benjelloun scored five goals in the first five of Roselare's last six matches as they retained their league status in relegation play-offs.[21] He was withdrawn injured in their penultimate match and missed their final match.

Ismaily

After his release by Hibs in May 2010, Benjelloun agreed a two-year contract with German 2. Bundesliga club Greuther Fürth.[22] He did not complete the move, however, with the club claiming that he had demanded too much money.[23] Soon afterwards, Benjelloun signed for Egyptian Premier League club Ismaily SC. He made only seven appearances before leaving the club in January 2011.

Return to Morocco

Benjelloun then had a short spell with Raja Casablanca. He signed for his first club Wydad de Fès, later in 2011. He then moved to FUS Rabat and was recalled to the Moroccan national team in the 2011–12 season.

International career

Benjelloun was first selected by Morocco during the 2007–08 season. He scored on his international debut, in a 4–1 win against Belgium in Brussels.[24] He was then selected for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers at the end of the season. Benjelloun scored in the first two matches, against Ethiopia[25] and Mauritania.[26]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hibernian2005–065110000061
2006–073366355104514
2007–08151201000181
2009–10283411000334
Charleroi (loan)2008–098100000081
Roeselare (loan)2008–09146000000146
Total10318134751012427

International

Scores and results list Morocco's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Benjelloun goal.

List of international goals scored by Abdessalam Benjelloun
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1 26 March 2008 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium 4–1 4–1 Friendly
2 31 May 2008 Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco 1–0 3–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 7 June 2008 Stade Olympique, Nouakchott, Mauritania 2–0 4–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 23 June 2012 Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 4–0 4–0 2012 Arab Nations Cup
5 22 October 2015 Stade Olympique de Radès, Radès, Tunisia 1–0 4–0 2016 African Nations Championship qualification

Notes and References

  1. http://sport.le360.ma/football/mercato-abdeslam-benjelloun-quitte-le-fus-36164 Mercato. Abdeslam Benjelloun quitte le FUS
  2. Web site: Hibs Sign Abdessalam Benjelloun . Hibernian Mad . 17 March 2006.
  3. News: Hibernian 0–4 Hearts . . 2 April 2006.
  4. News: Mowbray will chastise goalscorer . . 22 April 2006.
  5. News: Kilmarnock 1 Hibernian 5: Collins proclaims cup success at last . . 19 March 2007 . London . Nick . Harris.
  6. News: Anderlecht is observing a Moroccan playing in Scotland . Dutch . 7 June 2008 . sporza.be . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080609222217/http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza.be/voetbal/eersteklasse/Anderlecht/080607_benjelloun_anderlecht_interesse . 9 June 2008 .
  7. News: Hardie . David . Hibs reject Westerlo bid for Benjelloun . . 24 July 2008 . 24 July 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080907083819/http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/hibernianfc/Hibs-reject-Westerlo-bid-for.4320476.jp. 7 September 2008 . live.
  8. News: Hughes promises adventurous Hibs . . 10 June 2009.
  9. News: Egyptians claim to have signed Benjelloun . . 21 July 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090724081538/http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2521133.0.Egyptians_claim_to_have_signed_Benjelloun.php . 24 July 2009 .
  10. News: Benjelloun on verge of Hibs exit as Al-Ahly claim three-year deal . . 21 July 2009 . Collin . Iain . 22 September 2010.
  11. News: Al-Ahly will not sign Hibs' Benji . . 26 July 2009.
  12. News: SPL Roundup . . 15 August 2009.
  13. News: Benjelloun among three Hibs players shown the door . 14 May 2010 . 14 May 2010 . BBC Sport. https://web.archive.org/web/20100517045947/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/8683061.stm. 17 May 2010 . live.
  14. News: Hughes trying to hammer out players' futures with Hibs chairman . . 10 May 2010.
  15. News: Yantorno in as Hibs loan Benji . . 8 August 2008.
  16. Web site: Deux renforts offensifs pour le RCSC !. 8 August 2008 . French. Charleroi.
  17. News: Benjelloun in line for UAE loan . . 2 January 2009.
  18. News: Hardie . David . Benji on way back to Hibs as JC decides against deal . . 10 January 2009.
  19. News: An answer to Benji's prayers . . 25 October 2009.
  20. News: Benjelloun moves on to Roeselare . . 1 February 2009.
  21. News: Moroccans will miss out as Hibs return . . 27 June 2009.
  22. News: Benjelloun makes Greuther Furth next stop after Hibs . . 19 May 2010 . 19 May 2010 . Goodman . Steve.
  23. News: Ersatz für Allagui wollte zu viel Geld . . 30 June 2010 . 30 June 2010 . Heidingsfelder . Kurt. de.
  24. News: Morocco beat Belgium 4–1 in international friendly . . 26 March 2008.
  25. News: Morocco, Rwanda win in Group 8 . . 31 May 2008.
  26. News: Morocco brush aside Mauritania . . 7 June 2008.