Ali Elkhattabi Explained

Ali Elkhattabi
Fullname:Ali Elkhattabi
Height:1.70 m
Birth Date:1977 1, df=yes
Birth Place:Schiedam, Netherlands
Position:Striker
Youthyears1:1985–1988
Youthyears2:1988–1990
Youthyears3:1990–1995
Youthclubs1:vv SVDPW
Youthclubs2:SVV
Youthclubs3:Sparta
Years1:1995–1996
Years2:1996–1998
Years3:1999–2001
Years4:2001–2005
Years5:2005–2006
Clubs1:Sparta
Clubs2:Heerenveen
Clubs3:Sparta
Clubs4:AZ
Clubs5:RBC (loan)
Caps1:9
Goals1:1
Caps2:41
Goals2:12
Caps3:75
Goals3:36
Caps4:94
Goals4:31
Caps5:19
Goals5:1
Totalcaps:238
Totalgoals:81
Nationalyears1:1997–2005
Nationalteam1:Morocco
Nationalcaps1:10
Nationalgoals1:1

Ali Elkhattabi (Arabic: علي الخطّابي; born 17 January 1977) is a former professional footballer. Born in the Netherlands, Elkhattabi gained 10 caps for Morocco, making his debut in 1997.

Club career

Elkhattabi began his professional career in the 1995–96 season with Sparta Rotterdam. After one season, he moved to Heerenveen. He proved to be an efficient goalscorer in his first matches at the club, spawning interest from several top clubs in the Netherlands. Three years later, Elkhattabi would, however, return to Sparta, where he scored 36 goals in 75 matches, striking up a partnership in attack with Bram Marbus.[1] His final season – 2000–01 – proved his most successful, finishing second in the Eredivisie Golden Boot with 21 goals in 33 appearances, only behind Mateja Kežman.[2] He was then signed by AZ. He stayed there for four years, before joining RBC Roosendaal on loan in 2005 after being rumored to Braga, Stoke City and Leeds United.[3] [4] Elkhattabi retired in September 2006, as he was not able to find a new club after his loan with RBC had expired.[5]

Elkhattabi has a fear of flying, a condition which severely limited his ability to play in away matches in European competitions and to travel with the national team.[6]

International career

His international debut came against Togo in November 1997, and he was included in Morocco's 1998 World Cup squad.

Retirement

Elkhattabi has worked as a real estate agent since his retirement from football. He has since also worked as a players' agent.

Notes and References

  1. News: El Khattabi: Van hattrick hero tot zaakwaarnemer . Rijnmond . 18 November 2016 . NL.
  2. Web site: Ali El-Khattabi » Eredivisie 2000/2001 . worldfootball.net . 16 April 2021 . en.
  3. News: Leeuwen . Gerrit van . Elkhattabi in English snub . 16 April 2021 . Sky Sports . en.
  4. News: RBC praat met AZ-spits Ali Elkhattabi . Voetbal International . 27 July 2005 . nl.
  5. News: Aanvaller Elkhattabi stopt per direct . NU . 27 September 2006 . nl.
  6. Web site: van Wonderen . Mark . Column 'vergeten' voetbalhelden: Ali El Khattabi . www.nhnieuws.nl . NH Nieuws . 2 August 2020 . 28 September 2015.