Raïs M'Bolhi explained

Raïs M'Bolhi
Full Name:Adi Raïs Cobos Adrien Ouahab M'Bolhi[1]
Birth Date:25 April 1986[2]
Birth Place:Paris, France
Height:1.88 m[3]
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:CR Belouizdad
Clubnumber:23
Youthyears1:1995–2002
Youthclubs1:Racing Paris
Youthyears2:2002–2003
Youthclubs2:Marseille
Years1:2003–2005
Clubs1:Marseille B
Caps1:49
Goals1:0
Years2:2005–2006
Clubs2:Heart of Midlothian
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2006–2007
Clubs3:Ethnikos Piraeus
Caps3:5
Goals3:0
Years4:2007–2008
Clubs4:Panetolikos
Caps4:8
Goals4:0
Years5:2008–2009
Clubs5:Ryūkyū
Caps5:22
Goals5:0
Years6:2009–2010
Clubs6:Slavia Sofia
Caps6:27
Goals6:0
Years7:2010
Clubs7:CSKA Sofia (loan)
Caps7:10
Goals7:0
Years8:2010–2013
Clubs8:Krylia Sovetov
Caps8:17
Goals8:0
Years9:2011–2012
Clubs9:CSKA Sofia (loan)
Caps9:28
Goals9:0
Years10:2013
Clubs10:Gazélec Ajaccio (loan)
Caps10:12
Goals10:0
Years11:2013–2014
Clubs11:CSKA Sofia
Caps11:17
Goals11:0
Years12:2014–2015
Clubs12:Philadelphia Union
Caps12:9
Goals12:0
Years13:2015–2017
Clubs13:Antalyaspor
Caps13:12
Goals13:0
Years14:2017
Clubs14:Rennes
Caps14:1
Goals14:0
Years15:2018–2022
Clubs15:Al-Ettifaq
Caps15:104
Goals15:0
Years16:2022–2023
Clubs16:Al-Qadsiah
Caps16:31
Goals16:0
Years17:2023–
Clubs17:CR Belouizdad
Caps17:6
Goals17:0
Nationalyears1:2002–2003
Nationalteam1:France U17
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2004
Nationalteam2:France U18
Nationalcaps2:4
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2010–
Nationalteam3:Algeria
Nationalcaps3:96
Nationalgoals3:0
Club-Update:1 January 2024
Nationalteam-Update:9 January 2024

Adi Raïs Cobos Adrien Ouahab M'Bolhi (Arabic: عدي رايس كوبوس أدريان وهاب مبولحي; born 25 April 1986), known as Raïs M'Bolhi, is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 club CR Belouizdad. Born in France, he plays for the Algeria national team.

Club career

Early career

M'Bolhi, who hails of Congolese (father) and Algerian (mother) origin, 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.[4] 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.[5] On 23 June 2010, English club Newcastle United reportedly put in a bid for him for £1million.[6] On 22 July he was training with West Ham in their summer training camp in Germany.[7]

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.[8]

Krylia Sovetov

On 16 December 2010, M'Bolhi was transferred to Russian side Krylia Sovetov Samara, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract. His debut came on 12 March 2011, in the 1–0 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.[9]

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).[10]

Gazélec Ajaccio loan

In mid January 2013, M'Bolhi was loaned out to Ligue 2 club Gazélec Ajaccio.[11] He made his debut on 1 February 2013, in the 0–2 away loss against RC Lens.[12] 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.[13]

CSKA Sofia (third spell)

M'Bolhi was initially the third choice goalkeeper for the "armymen",[14] but started to feature more often towards the end of 2013 after Tomáš Černý fell into disfavour.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17] M'Bohli had previously been linked to Trabzonspor, where he could have joined manager Vahid Halilhodžić and team-mate Carl Medjani.[18]

However, his debut was delayed until 25 August (a 4–2 home win over San Jose Earthquakes)[19] 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.[20] [21]

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.[22]

After playing in only nine matches in the 2015 season, head coach Jim Curtin said that M'Bolhi would never play again for Philadelphia.[23] M'Bolhi is considered one of the worst signings in the club's history.[24]

Antalyaspor

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

Rennes

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.

Al-Ettifaq

On 19 January 2018, M'Bolhi joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq on a six-month deal.[25] On 6 March 2018, M'Bolhi renewed his contract with Al-Ettifaq until the end of the 2020–21 season.[26] On 25 January 2019, M'Bolhi renewed his contract until 2022.[27] On 30 June 2022, Al-Ettifaq announced that M'Bolhi had left the club following the expiration of his contract.[28]

Al-Qadsiah

On 9 September 2022, M'Bolhi joined Saudi First Division League side Al-Qadsiah, reuniting with former manager Khaled Al-Atwi.[29]

CR Belouizdad

On 1 September 2023, M'Bolhi joined CR Belouizdad.[30]

International career

He earned his first call-up to the France U-17 national team in November 2002 for a friendly match against England.[31] In 2003, he was called up for two more friendlies against Portugal and the Czech Republic.[32] [33]

In June 2004, he received his first and only call-up to the France U-18 team for a friendly tournament in Salerno, Italy.[34]

Subsequently, he was called up to the Algerian U-17 team but was not released by his club Olympique de Marseille.[35] [36] [37]

On 28 May 2010, M'Bohli made his debut for Algeria in a 3–0 loss against the Republic of Ireland after coming on as a second-half substitute. He conceded one goal, a penalty scored by Robbie Keane.[38] He made the 23-man Algerian squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and replaced Faouzi Chaouchi as starting goalkeeper for the second group match against England,[39] keeping a clean sheet and impressing in the goalless draw.[40] However, he conceded a goal to Landon Donovan in the 91st minute of Algeria's 23 June match-up against the United States[41]

On 11 August 2010, M'Bolhi earned his fourth cap in a 1–2 friendly loss to Gabon.[42]

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.[43]

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.[44] He was the first choice custodian for the country during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.[45]

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.[46] [47]

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.[48]

In December 2023, he was named in Algeria's squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.[49]

Personal life

M’Bolhi's mother, Aïsha, died in 2010. Since then, he has worn gloves on which her name is inscribed on one pair, while "Raïs" is written on another pair.[50]

Career statistics

Club

[51]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupContinental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hearts2006–07SCPL000000
Ethnikos Piraeus2006–07Beta Ethniki500050
Panetolikos2007–08800080
Ryūkyū2008–09JPL22000220
Slavia Sofia2008–09A Group100010
2009–1025030280
2010–11100010
CSKA Sofia (loan)2010–111000060160
Krylia Sovetov2011–12RFPL17000170
CSKA Sofia (loan)2011–12A Group2802020320
Gazélec Ajaccio (loan)2012–13Ligue 212000120
CSKA Sofia2013–14A Group1702000190
Philadelphia Union2014MLS4040
20155050
Antalyaspor2015–16Süper Lig12070190
2016–170000
Rennes2016–17Ligue 10000
2017–181010
Al-Ettifaq2017–18SPL900090
2018–1922010230
2019–2028030310
2020–2118010190
2021–2227010280
Total10406000801100
Al Qadsiah2022–23FDL3100000310
CR Belouizdad2023–24ALP16000002080
Career total3030200001003330

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Algeria201070
201140
201260
2013100
201490
201570
201660
201760
201840
2019130
202030
2021130
202280
Total960

Honours

Algeria

2021[53]

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of players: Algeria . FIFA . 1 . 14 July 2014 . 11 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190404045541/http://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2014/pdf/fwc_2014_squadlists.pdf . 4 April 2019.
  2. Web site: FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021: List of players: Algeria . . 1 . 4 December 2021 . 12 December 2022.
  3. Web site: Adi Raïs M'Bolhi . fr . Stade Rennais F.C. . 9 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170520174304/http://www.staderennais.com/fiche/adi-rais-mbolhi . 20 May 2017 . dead .
  4. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/4658852.stm Hearts add 7 more new players
  5. News: Fergie prepares for clear out. LTD. Digital Sports Group. Football.co.uk. 8 February 2018. en-GB.
  6. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/23/1990933/newcastle-united-interested-in-algeria-slavia-sofia Newcastle United interested in Algeria & Slavia Sofia goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi – report
  7. News: Hammers looking at M'Bohli . Sky Sports . 22 July 2010.
  8. Web site: Венци: М'боли няма право да играе срещу "Славия", Богомил Дяков и Виктор Генев след време ще стават за национали . topsport.bg. Savov, Mihail. 14 September 2010 . 31 July 2014.
  9. Web site: "Крылья Советов" отдали в аренду алжирского вратаря М'Боли. goals.by (Belarusian portal). 10 June 2014.
  10. Web site: ЦСКА отказа Мболи, продават Присо и Шеридън при първа възможност. sportal.bg. 27 July 2012. 1 March 2013.
  11. Web site: Голкипер "Крыльев Советов" Мболи отдан в аренду в "Газелек Аяччо". sports.ru. 16 January 2013. 16 February 2013.
  12. Web site: Raïs M'Bolhi Ouhab match log. soccerway.com. 1 March 2013.
  13. Web site: Официално: М'Боли се върна в ЦСКА, подписа договор за три години. topsport.bg. 8 August 2013. 11 July 2014.
  14. Web site: ЦСКА не пуска Мболи, алжирецът иска да напусне . topsport.bg. 1 December 2013. 9 June 2014.
  15. Web site: Мболи записа рекорд в ЦСКА, изпревари Томас Черни. topsport.bg. 28 April 2014. 9 June 2014.
  16. Web site: Levski Sofia vs. CSKA Sofia Matchcast . topsport.bg . 8 March 2014 . 11 July 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140715020715/http://topsport.ibox.bg/football.live.php?match=89135 . 15 July 2014 .
  17. Web site: 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. Philadelphia Union Communications. 31 July 2014. 11 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140811182804/http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2014/07/philadelphia-union-acquire-fifa-world-cup-veteran-goalkeeper-algerian-rais-mbolhi. dead.
  18. News: M'BOLHI, MEDJANI SET TO JOIN VAHID AT TRABZONSPOR. African Football Official Website. 15 July 2014. 28 August 2014.
  19. News: Philadelphia Union vs. San Jose 4:2. flashscore.com. 25 August 2014. 6 September 2014.
  20. News: Car accident delays Mbolhi's return to Philadelphia Union. Soccer Ly Website. 19 August 2014. 28 August 2014. 6 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141106210610/http://soccerly.com/article/kkinkead/car-accident-delays-mbolhis-return-to-philadelphia-union. dead.
  21. News: M'Bolhi debuts for Union in win over San Jose. Philly.com. 26 August 2014. 28 August 2014.
  22. News: Benching of Rais M'Bolhi a step in the right direction for Philadelphia Union . Sports Illustrated Website. 8 April 2015. 24 April 2015.
  23. News: Philadelphia Union's Rais M'Bolhi denies rift with teammates . ESPNFC Website. 8 April 2015. 14 May 2015.
  24. News: Will Rais Mbolhi Go Down As The Worst Signing in Philadelphia Union History?. 9 April 2015. 8 February 2018. en.
  25. Web site: الاتفاق السعودي يضم الحارس الجزائري رايس مبولحي .
  26. Web site: الاتفاق يجدد عقد رايس مبولحي حتى 2021 والدبل يشيد بمواقف الراشد .
  27. Web site: مبولحي يجدد عقده مع الإتفاق لغاية 2022 .
  28. Web site: الاتفاق يودع رايس مبولحي.. وفيليب كيش .
  29. Web site: مبولحـي يحمــي عرين القادسية .
  30. Web site: Mercato : Raïs M’Bolhi au CRB ! . dzfoot.com . 1 September 2023 . 1 September 2023.
  31. Web site: Liste des joueurs retenus !. fff.fr. 8 August 2011.
  32. Web site: Liste des joueurs retenus. fff.fr. 8 August 2011.
  33. Web site: La liste des joueurs retenus. fff.fr. 8 August 2011.
  34. Web site: Les joueurs retenus. fff.fr. 8 August 2011.
  35. http://www.djazairnews.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4939:2009-10-14-16-12-45&catid=45:2009-03-26-18-34-23&Itemid=64 Djazair News Interview
  36. Web site: ONLINESPORT. Ro - Manchester United l-a suflat Stelei pe M'Bohli - Onlinesport :: Steaua . 7 May 2010. 8 February 2018. dead. 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. 7 May 2010.
  37. Web site: Sports - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency. www.novinite.com. 8 February 2018.
  38. Web site: Republic of Ireland 3 Algeria 0: match report. Telegraph newspaper. 28 May 2010. 18 February 2014.
  39. Web site: Three Lions take pussycat point. 19 June 2010. 13 January 2024. Sky Sports.
  40. News: World Cup 2010: England v Algeria - as it happened . The Guardian. 18 June 2010 . 9 June 2014. Glendenning . Barry .
  41. Web site: Tactical Line-up – Group C: USA - Algeria 1:0 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100703041155/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/25/57/60/38%5F0623%5Fusa-alg%5Ftacticalstartlist.pdf. dead. 3 July 2010. Fédération Internationale de Football Association . 16 April 2014.
  42. Web site: Algeria: Saâdane makes slight changes . CAF Online . 11 August 2010. 20 May 2014.
  43. Web site: Adi MBOLHI - tournament statistics . https://web.archive.org/web/20140504141740/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=323326/ . dead . 4 May 2014 . Fédération Internationale de Football Association . FIFA official website. 4 May 2014.
  44. Web site: AFCON 2013 Qualifier: Libya lose to last-gasp goal against Algeria. Tripoli Post. 20 May 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140520220330/http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=3&i=9162. 20 May 2014.
  45. Web site: African Nations Cup 2013. RSSSF. 20 May 2014.
  46. News: African bravery, European victories. https://web.archive.org/web/20140701113357/http://www.fifa.com//worldcup/news/y=2014/m=6/news=african-bravery-european-victories-2391410.html. dead. 1 July 2014. FIFA.com. 30 June 2014. FIFA.com. 8 February 2018. en-GB.
  47. Web site: We've entered the history of Algerian football: keeper M'Bolhi - World Cup 2014 - Sports - Ahram Online. english.ahram.org.eg. 8 February 2018. 9 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140709070919/http://english.ahram.org.eg/WorldCupIn/105202.aspx. dead.
  48. CAF . CAF_Online . 1152323911104770055 . 19 July 2019 . And the winner of the Total Man of the Match is R. M'bolhi! . 19 July 2019.
  49. Web site: CAN 2024 : L’Algérie Dévoile sa Liste Officielle – Qui Sont les Fennecs Prêts à Conquérir l’Afrique ?. French. 30 December 2023. 12 January 2024. Algérie-Focus.
  50. Web site: Abdallah . Hala . 2021-12-20 . The story behind Algerian goalkeeper’s ‘Aisha’ gloves . 2023-07-02 . Doha News Qatar . en-US.
  51. Web site: M'BOLHI Football Stats. soccerway.com.
  52. Web site: Algeria hold on against Senegal to win Afcon. BBC Sport. 19 July 2019.
  53. Web site: Algeria beat Tunisia to win FIFA Arab Cup 2021. 2021-12-18. www.aljazeera.com. en.
  54. Web site: Mbolhi "Je suis satisfait de mon choix" . algerie360 . 19 December 2010 .
  55. CAF_Online . 1152378632624594944 . 19 July 2019 . The unbreakable M'bolhi has won the #TotalAFCON2019 best goalkeeper award .
  56. News: خيسوس ومبولحي يخطفان جائزة الرابطة لشهر سبتمبر. spl. 2 October 2018. 2 October 2018.
  57. Web site: هاسي وبقير وامبولحي يحرزون أفضلية نوفمبر وديسمبر في الدوري السعودي للمحترفين .
  58. Web site: الشابي وجوستافو ومبولحي الأفضل في شهر مارس . ar.
  59. Web site: ميكالي وشافعي ومبولحي والعمري نجوم مارس. 25 March 2021 . ar.
  60. News: 18 December 2021 . Golden reward for Brahimi, Mbohli and Jaziri . FIFA.com . Fédération Internationale de Football Association . 23 May 2023.
  61. Web site: 19 December 2021 . تعرف على التشكيلة المثالية لبطولة كأس العرب 2021 . 23 May 2023 . mala3eb.com . ar.