Mohamed Mallahi Explained

Mohamed Mallahi
Birth Date:13 February 2000
Birth Place:Utrecht, Netherlands
Height:1.81 m[1]
Position:Winger
Currentclub:Helmond Sport
Clubnumber:14
Youthclubs1:Zwaluwen Utrecht 1911
Youthyears2:–2011
Youthclubs2:USV Elinkwijk
Youthyears3:2011–2017
Youthclubs3:Utrecht
Years1:2017–2023
Clubs1:Jong Utrecht
Caps1:123
Goals1:15
Years2:2018–2023
Clubs2:Utrecht
Caps2:5
Goals2:1
Years3:2022–2023
Clubs3:Roda JC (loan)
Caps3:18
Goals3:0
Years4:2023–
Clubs4:Helmond Sport
Caps4:29
Goals4:1
Nationalyears1:2015–2016
Nationalteam1:Netherlands U16
Nationalcaps1:10
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2016–2017
Nationalteam2:Netherlands U17
Nationalcaps2:15
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2017–2018
Nationalteam3:Netherlands U18
Nationalcaps3:6
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2018
Nationalteam4:Netherlands U19
Nationalcaps4:6
Nationalgoals4:2
Club-Update:17:33, 12 July 2024 (UTC)

Mohamed Mallahi (Arabic: محمد ملاحي; Berber languages: ⵎⵓⵃⴰⵎⴷ ⵎⴰⵍⵍⴰⵀⵉ; born 13 February 2000) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Helmond Sport.

Club career

Utrecht

Mallahi grew up playing football on the playgrounds of Kanaleneiland and Transwijk, Utrecht, Netherlands, before moving to organised association football. He initially played for Zwaluwen Utrecht 1911 and USV Elinkwijk before joining FC Utrecht's academy in 2011 at age 11.[2] In 2016, Mallahi signed his first professional contract with the club.[3] [4] Early on in his career, Mallahi attracted interest from clubs such as Chelsea, Leeds United, PSV and Ajax, but chose to stay at Utrecht.[5]

He made his debut for the reserve team Jong FC Utrecht on 24 November 2017 in a 4–2 loss to Almere City in the Eerste Divisie, after coming on for Nick Venema in the 73rd minute.[6] He scored his first goal in professional football on 23 December 2017 in a match against Fortuna Sittard.[7] On 13 March 2018, his contract was renegotiated and extended until 2022, with technical director Jordy Zuidam expressing his confidence in Mallahi's potential, as well as emphasising that the club had high hopes for his future development.[8] On 30 March 2018, he put in a man of the match performance in a 3–1 win over Jong AZ, despite Nick Venema scoring a hat-trick.[9]

As of the 2018–19 season, Mallahi was officially promoted from the youth academy to Jong FC Utrecht. On 27 September 2018, Mallahi was on the bench of FC Utrecht for the KNVB Cup match against MVV. Head coach Dick Advocaat did not substitute him on during the match.[10]

Approximately two and a half years later, he was included in the first-team squad for the second time on 27 January 2021 under head coach René Hake.[11] Mallahi's debut in the first team took place on 25 September 2021, during a 5–1 league victory against PEC Zwolle in which he replaced Moussa Sylla in the 78th minute.[12] Mallahi expressed his excitement and gratitude after making his debut for Utrecht, mentioning that he had always dreamt of it and that it was a significant achievement for him as a player from the club's academy and a native of the city. After making three substitute appearances in the league and one in the cup, Mallahi scored his first goal for the first team on 31 October 2021, coming off the bench to add to a 5–1 win over Willem II.[13]

Roda JC (loan)

On 12 July 2022, Mallahi was sent on a one-season loan to Eerste Divisie club Roda JC.[14] On 5 August 2022, during the first matchday of the 2022–23 campaign, Mallahi made his debut for the club as a starter in a 2–0 away victory against Dordrecht at the Krommedijk, before being replaced by Arjen van der Heide in the 81st minute of the match.[15] [16] He provided one assist in 19 competitive appearances for Roda and returned to Utrecht at the end of the season.[17]

Helmond Sport

On 16 August 2023, Mallahi signed a two-year contract with Helmond Sport.[18] [19] He made his debut for the club two days later, replacing Joseph Amuzu in the 60th minute of a 1–0 victory against Den Bosch.[20] On 23 October, he scored his first goal for the Kattenmeppers, opening the score with a curled shot from the edge of the box shortly before the break in a 1–1 draw against Dordrecht.[21] [22] He was sent off in a game on 10 November, after catching an opponent with his arm in a game against Jong AZ. The Royal Dutch Football Association later gave Mallahi a two-match suspension for violent conduct.[23]

International career

Mallahi is a Netherlands youth international, and was part of the Netherlands under-17 team during the qualifiers for the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[24] Mallahi played alongside several other renowned players in the Dutch national youth teams, including Orkun Kökçü, Ryan Gravenberch, Jurriën Timber, Lutsharel Geertruida, Mohamed Ihattaren, Myron Boadu, and Sven Botman.

Style of play

Mallahi is a technically skilled and fast winger with an excellent ability to deliver crosses, which makes him a direct threat in the opponent's penalty area. FC Utrecht's former head coach, Erik ten Hag, who would go on to manage Ajax and Manchester United, stated in connection with Mallahi's contract extension in 2016 that he plays with confidence and creativity, and he is a typical winger who takes risks to make an impact in the game.

In 2021, Mallahi stated that he had evolved as a leader for Jong FC Utrecht, due to his experience as one of the oldest players. He explained that he helped and guided younger players to adapt to the level of play in the Eerste Divisie, a role for which he thanked manager Darije Kalezić for giving him.

Personal life

Mallahi was born in the Netherlands and is of Moroccan descent.[25]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueKNVB CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Jong Utrecht2017–18Eerste Divisie193193
2018–19Eerste Divisie331331
2019–20Eerste Divisie161161
2020–21Eerste Divisie285285
2021–22Eerste Divisie275275
Total1231512315
Utrecht2021–22Eredivisie512071
Roda JC (loan)2022–23Eerste Divisie18010190
Helmond Sport2023–24Eerste Divisie29110301
Career total17517400017917

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 27 Mohamed Mallahi . Roda JC Kerkrade . 9 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230126081431/https://www.rodajckerkrade.nl/team/selectie-en-staf/27-mohamed-mallahi . 26 January 2023 . nl.
  2. News: Utrechter Mohamed Mallahi langer bij FC Utrecht . 9 April 2023 . RTV Utrecht . 20 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527130331/https://utrecht.nieuws.nl/sport/80776/utrechter-mohamed-mallahi-langer-bij-fc-utrecht/ . 27 May 2022 . nl.
  3. Web site: Driejarig contract voor Mohamed Mallahi (16) . FC Utrecht . 9 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220712123436/https://www.fcutrecht.nl/nieuws/2016/02/driejarig-contract-voor-mohamed-mallahi-16/ . 12 July 2022 . nl . 13 February 2016.
  4. Web site: Acht talenten tekenen eerste contract . FC Utrecht . 9 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220712123155/https://www.fcutrecht.nl/nieuws/2016/05/acht-talenten-tekenen-eerste-contract/ . 12 July 2022 . nl . 27 May 2016.
  5. News: Talentscout – Mohamed Mallahi . 9 April 2023 . Keuken Kampioen Divisie . https://web.archive.org/web/20211208155418/https://keukenkampioendivisie.nl/talentscout-mohamed-mallahi/ . 8 December 2021 . nl.
  6. Web site: Utrecht II vs. Almere City - 24 November 2017 . Soccerway . Perform Group . 9 April 2023.
  7. Web site: Fortuna Sittard vs. Utrecht II – 23 December 2017 . Soccerway . Perform Group . 31 October 2021.
  8. Web site: Mohamed Mallahi tekent bij tot medio 2022 . FC Utrecht . 9 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220712123150/https://www.fcutrecht.nl/nieuws/2018/03/mohamed-mallahi-tekent-bij-tot-medio-2022/ . 12 July 2022 . nl . 13 March 2018.
  9. News: Tempelman . Chris . Utrecht-belofte Mallahi: 'Soms speel ik tegen mannen van twee keer zo oud' . 9 April 2023 . Voetbal International . 2 April 2018 . nl.
  10. Web site: Utrecht vs. MVV – 27 September 2018 . Soccerway . Perform Group . 9 April 2023.
  11. News: Meijer . Chris . Mohamed Mallahi liet Ajax en PSV schieten voor een doorbraak in zijn stad . Voetbalzone . 22 October 2021 . nl.
  12. News: FC Utrecht boekt geflatteerde zege en duwt PEC Zwolle dieper het moeras in . 9 April 2023 . NOS . 25 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211128110533/https://nos.nl/artikel/2399256-fc-utrecht-boekt-geflatteerde-zege-en-duwt-pec-zwolle-dieper-het-moeras-in . 28 November 2021 . nl.
  13. Web site: Wervelende winst in waterballet . FC Utrecht . 9 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211104212642/https://www.fcutrecht.nl/nieuws/2021/oktober/wervelende-winst-in-waterballet/ . 4 November 2021 . nl . 31 October 2021.
  14. Web site: Mallahi op huurbasis naar Roda JC . Roda JC Kerkrade . 12 July 2022 . nl . 12 July 2022.
  15. News: Visser . Emil . Roda JC wint eerste competitiewedstrijd simpel van FC Dordrecht . 13 March 2023 . De Limburger . 5 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219214334/https://www.limburger.nl/cnt/dmf20220805_97184991 . 19 February 2023 . nl.
  16. Web site: FC Dordrecht – Roda JC Kerkrade 0:2 (Eerste Divisie 2022/2023, 1. Round) . WorldFootball.net . HEIM:SPIEL . 2 April 2023.
  17. Web site: Roda JC neemt afscheid van elf spelers . Roda JC Kerkrade . 3 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230523121802/https://www.rodajckerkrade.nl/nieuwsbericht/23-05-2023/roda-jc-neemt-afscheid-van-elf-spelers . 23 May 2023 . nl . 23 May 2023.
  18. Aanvaller Mohamed Mallahi naar Helmond Sport . Helmond Sport . https://web.archive.org/web/20230817142411/https://www.helmondsport.nl/nieuws/aanvaller-mohamed-mallahi-naar-helmond-sport . 17 August 2023 . nl . 16 August 2023 . dead.
  19. News: Ottens . Chris . Helmond Sport plukt ervaren Keuken Kampioen Divisie-aanvaller per direct weg bij FC Utrecht . 23 November 2023 . Eindhovens Dagblad . 16 August 2023 . nl.
  20. Web site: Helmond Sport vs. Den Bosch 1–0: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 23 November 2023.
  21. Web site: Helmond Sport vs. Dordrecht 1–1: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 23 November 2023.
  22. News: Esseveldt . Luuk van . Helmond Sport en Dordrecht vermaken het publiek in duel zonder winnaar . 23 November 2023 . Eindhovens Dagblad . 23 October 2023 . nl.
  23. Web site: Mohamed Mallahi twee wedstrijden geschorst . Helmond Sport . 23 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231123104631/https://www.helmondsport.nl/nieuws/mohamed-mallahi-twee-wedstrijden-geschorst/ . 23 November 2023 . nl-NL . 14 November 2023.
  24. Web site: Under-17 – Mohamed Mallahi . . 27 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161005095909/https://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2017/teams/player=250104078/index.html . 5 October 2016 . dead.
  25. Web site: UEFA U17 - Oranjes : El-Bouchataoui Achraf en vrai leader. LDA.