Ibrahim Afellay
Encyclopedia
Ibrahim Afellay is a Dutch professional footballer who plays for FC Barcelona
as an attacking midfielder or winger
.
He has played for the Dutch national youth team and is now part of the senior Dutch national team
, which he represented at UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, the latter of which saw them reach the final
.
Previously he played for and captained PSV Eindhoven with whom he won four national titles and during which time he was named Best Young Player in The Netherlands (2007).
Born in Utrecht
, in 1996 Afellay switched to the youth academy of PSV Eindhoven. Afellay's official debut for PSV Eindhoven was on 4 February 2004 during a cup match against NAC Breda
at the age of 17. His debut in the competition was on 14 February, against Twente
. In the 2003–04 season he played three official games, and seven more in the 2004–05 season.
On 15 May 2005, PSV Eindhoven played a game against Feyenoord
. Afellay was a part of the starting lineup, and made a great impression with two goals.
In the 2005–06 season Afellay played games in the Johan Cruijff-schaal
and the first three competition games. Because of the absence of DaMarcus Beasley
and Mika Väyrynen
he always started in the line-up.
On 13 September, Afellay made his Champions League
debut against Schalke 04. PSV won the game 1–0. On 8 October, Dutch coach Marco van Basten took Afellay into the full national team during the games against the Czech Republic
and Macedonia, though he did not play.
In the 2005–06 season, following the departure of important players including midfielders Johann Vogel
and Mark van Bommel
, Afellay grew to be a first-team regular, and was even pre-selected for the Dutch national team. He managed to play a total of 23 league matches during a season hit with a string of minor injuries, scoring twice.
and PSV Eindhoven came to terms regarding the transfer of Afellay to the Catalan side in January 2011. Afellay travelled to Barcelona
on 23 December 2010 for a medical to finalize the deal. The fee was reported to be around €
3 m
.
Afellay recently signed a contract that will tie him until 2015 with the club and wears the squad number 20. He is the 19th Dutch player to represent Barcelona. Afellay made his Blaugrana debut on 5 January 2011 in the Copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao
. He was brought in for David Villa
in injury time. Afellay was given his first start for the Barcelona on 19 January 2011 against Real Betis
during the second leg of the Copa del Rey
in which they lost 3–1 but qualified for the semis on a 6–3 aggregate. He scored his first goal for Barcelona against UD Almería
in the Copa del Rey.
Afellay made his debut for Barça in the Champions League in the second match against Arsenal
, and came close to scoring on two occasions. Barcelona went on to win the match. Later in the tournament, Afellay came on as a substitute in the 71st minute during the first Leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid
. In the 76th minute, Afellay assisted Lionel Messi
to score the opening goal of Barcelona's 2–0 victory over Madrid. He scored his first goal in the Spanish league in a 3–1 away win for Barcelona against Málaga CF
on the last day of the 2010–11 season. He came on as a sub in the final of the UEFA Champions League against Manchester United
.
on 28 March 2007. On 12 October 2010 Ibrahim Afellay scored his first international goals in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Sweden
.
in the group match against Italy
he nearly scored a goal but his volley went off the crossbar. In their last group game against Romania
, he was given a place in the starting 11 alongside Arjen Robben in midfield.
managed by Bert van Marwijk
. The player came on as a substitute for their first and second matches in the competition, a 2–0 victory over Denmark
and 1–0 victory over Japan
respectively, as well as the round of 16 match against Slovakia.
| 1. || 12 October 2010 || Amsterdam ArenA
, Amsterdam
, Netherlands || || 2–0 || 4–1 || Euro 2012 qualification
|-
| 2. || 12 October 2010 || Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands ||
Sweden || 4–0 || 4–1 || Euro 2012 qualification
|-
| 3. || 25 March 2011 || Stadium Puskás Ferenc
, Budapest
, Hungary ||
Hungary
|| 0–2 || 0–4 || Euro 2012 qualification
|}
1Includes other competitive competitions, including the Johan Cruijff Shield, Supercopa de España
, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup
and FIFA Club World Cup
FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
as an attacking midfielder or winger
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
He has played for the Dutch national youth team and is now part of the senior Dutch national team
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
, which he represented at UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, the latter of which saw them reach the final
2010 FIFA World Cup Final
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place on 11 July 2010 at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, to determine the winner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Spain defeated the Netherlands 1–0 with a goal from Andrés Iniesta four minutes from the end of extra time...
.
Previously he played for and captained PSV Eindhoven with whom he won four national titles and during which time he was named Best Young Player in The Netherlands (2007).
PSV Eindhoven
Utrecht
Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands.The name may also refer to:* Utrecht , of which Utrecht is the capital* Utrecht , including the city of Utrecht* Bishopric of Utrecht* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Utrecht...
, in 1996 Afellay switched to the youth academy of PSV Eindhoven. Afellay's official debut for PSV Eindhoven was on 4 February 2004 during a cup match against NAC Breda
NAC Breda
NAC Breda , simply often known as NAC, is a Dutch professional football club, based in Breda, Netherlands. NAC Breda play in the Rat Verlegh Stadium, named after their most important player, Antoon 'Rat' Verlegh. They play in the Dutch Eredivisie and are known by the fierce and fanatic support of...
at the age of 17. His debut in the competition was on 14 February, against Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
. In the 2003–04 season he played three official games, and seven more in the 2004–05 season.
On 15 May 2005, PSV Eindhoven played a game against Feyenoord
Feyenoord Rotterdam
Feyenoord is a Dutch professional football club located in Rotterdam. Along with Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord is one of the "big three" clubs in the Netherlands. These three clubs and Utrecht and Roda JC are the only clubs never to have been relegated from the Dutch first division...
. Afellay was a part of the starting lineup, and made a great impression with two goals.
In the 2005–06 season Afellay played games in the Johan Cruijff-schaal
Johan Cruijff-schaal
The Johan Cruijff Schaal is a football trophy in the Netherlands named after legendary Dutch football player Johan Cruyff, also often referred to as the Dutch Super Cup. The winner is decided in one match only, played by the winner of the national football league and the winner of the national...
and the first three competition games. Because of the absence of DaMarcus Beasley
DaMarcus Beasley
DaMarcus Lamont Beasley is an American soccer player who plays for Puebla of the Mexican Primera División. He plays mainly as a winger on the left side of the midfield, but has also been used as a forward and fullback...
and Mika Väyrynen
Mika Väyrynen
Mika Väyrynen is a Finnish footballer who plays for English Championship side Leeds United. He is a Finland international.-Club career:...
he always started in the line-up.
On 13 September, Afellay made his Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
debut against Schalke 04. PSV won the game 1–0. On 8 October, Dutch coach Marco van Basten took Afellay into the full national team during the games against the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
and Macedonia, though he did not play.
In the 2005–06 season, following the departure of important players including midfielders Johann Vogel
Johann Vogel
Johann Louis François Vogel is a retired Swiss footballer.-Early career:Vogel joined Swiss amateur club Meyrin in his youth, but made the cut into professional football by joining Grasshoppers...
and Mark van Bommel
Mark van Bommel
Mark Peter Gertruda Andreas van Bommel is a Dutch footballer who currently plays for Milan and captains the Netherlands national team as a midfielder....
, Afellay grew to be a first-team regular, and was even pre-selected for the Dutch national team. He managed to play a total of 23 league matches during a season hit with a string of minor injuries, scoring twice.
FC Barcelona
On 16 November 2010, FC BarcelonaFC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
and PSV Eindhoven came to terms regarding the transfer of Afellay to the Catalan side in January 2011. Afellay travelled to Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
on 23 December 2010 for a medical to finalize the deal. The fee was reported to be around €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
3 m
Million
One million or one thousand thousand, is the natural number following 999,999 and preceding 1,000,001. The word is derived from the early Italian millione , from mille, "thousand", plus the augmentative suffix -one.In scientific notation, it is written as or just 106...
.
Afellay recently signed a contract that will tie him until 2015 with the club and wears the squad number 20. He is the 19th Dutch player to represent Barcelona. Afellay made his Blaugrana debut on 5 January 2011 in the Copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
. He was brought in for David Villa
David Villa
David Villa Sánchez , nicknamed , is a Spanish footballer who currently plays as a striker for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national football team. He can also operate as a winger....
in injury time. Afellay was given his first start for the Barcelona on 19 January 2011 against Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
during the second leg of the Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
in which they lost 3–1 but qualified for the semis on a 6–3 aggregate. He scored his first goal for Barcelona against UD Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
in the Copa del Rey.
Afellay made his debut for Barça in the Champions League in the second match against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, and came close to scoring on two occasions. Barcelona went on to win the match. Later in the tournament, Afellay came on as a substitute in the 71st minute during the first Leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
. In the 76th minute, Afellay assisted Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and captains the Argentina national team, mainly as a striker. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21, and won in 2009 and 2010...
to score the opening goal of Barcelona's 2–0 victory over Madrid. He scored his first goal in the Spanish league in a 3–1 away win for Barcelona against Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
on the last day of the 2010–11 season. He came on as a sub in the final of the UEFA Champions League against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
.
International career
After both the Moroccan and the Dutch national teams managers selected him for their squads, he was caught in the dilemma to either play for the Moroccan national team, because of his Moroccan descent, or to play for the Dutch team, the Netherlands being his place of residence. He ultimately decided to play for the Dutch national team despite the heavy competition for places in midfield. He made his international debut in a Euro 2008 qualifier against SloveniaSlovenia national football team
The Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. The team played their first match in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia in 1991....
on 28 March 2007. On 12 October 2010 Ibrahim Afellay scored his first international goals in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
.
Euro 2008
Afellay was included in Marco van Basten's squad for Euro 2008 and was mostly used as a substitute. Just seconds after replacing Dirk KuytDirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt is a Dutch footballer who plays for English club Liverpool. He started his career as a striker, but he has been converted into a winger and plays the position for both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team....
in the group match against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
he nearly scored a goal but his volley went off the crossbar. In their last group game against Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
, he was given a place in the starting 11 alongside Arjen Robben in midfield.
2010 World Cup
Afellay was part of the Dutch team for the 2010 World Cup2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
managed by Bert van Marwijk
Bert van Marwijk
Bert van Marwijk OON is the coach of the Netherlands national football team. He also played for Go Ahead Eagles, AZ, MVV, Fortuna Sittard, and other clubs, as well as for the Dutch national team. In 1982, he began his transition into coaching, retiring as a player in 1988 and becoming a full time...
. The player came on as a substitute for their first and second matches in the competition, a 2–0 victory over Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
and 1–0 victory over Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
respectively, as well as the round of 16 match against Slovakia.
International goals
|-| 1. || 12 October 2010 || Amsterdam ArenA
Amsterdam ArenA
Amsterdam Arena is a stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is the largest stadium in the nation and it was built from 1993 to 1996 at a cost of €140 million, and was officially opened on 14 August 1996. It has been used for association football, American football, concerts, and other events...
, Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, Netherlands || || 2–0 || 4–1 || Euro 2012 qualification
|-
| 2. || 12 October 2010 || Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands ||
Sweden || 4–0 || 4–1 || Euro 2012 qualification|-
| 3. || 25 March 2011 || Stadium Puskás Ferenc
Stadium Puskás Ferenc
Ferenc Puskás Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Budapest, Hungary. It is situated on the Pest side of the capital between the Stadionok and the Keleti Palyaudvar metro stations. It is currently used mainly for football matches. The stadium is going to be demolished sometime in 2012 and...
, Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Hungary ||
HungaryHungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
|| 0–2 || 0–4 || Euro 2012 qualification
|}
Career stats
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Other1 | Total | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||||
| PSV | 2003–04 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2004–05 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 9 | 2 | |||||||||
| 2005–06 | 23 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 2 | |||||||
| 2006–07 | 27 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 34 | 6 | ||||||||
| 2007–08 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 2 | |||||||
| 2008–09 | 28 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 13 | |||||||
| 2009–10 2009–10 Eredivisie -Personnel and sponsoring:-Managerial changes:-League table:-Results:... |
29 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 1 | — | 44 | 6 | ||||||||
| 2010–11 2010–11 Eredivisie -Managerial changes:-League table:-Results:... |
19 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | — | 26 | 7 | ||||||||
| Total | 159 | 35 | 13 | 1 | 42 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 217 | 38 | |||||||
| Barcelona FC Barcelona Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.... |
2010–11 2010–11 FC Barcelona season The 2010–11 season is Futbol Club Barcelona's 117th in existence and the club's 79th consecutive season in the top flight of Spanish football... |
16 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 0 | — | 29 | 2 | |||||||
| 2011–12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | ||||||||
| Total | 17 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 0 | Career total | 176 | 36 | 19 | 2 | 50 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 248 | 40 |
1Includes other competitive competitions, including the Johan Cruijff Shield, Supercopa de España
Supercopa de España
The Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup
Intercontinental Cup (football)
The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
and FIFA Club World Cup
FIFA Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000...
PSV Eindhoven
- EredivisieEredivisieThe Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
: 4
-
- 2004-05Eredivisie 2004-05The 2004-05 season of the Eredivisie started on August 13, 2004 and ended on May 22, 2005. The title was won by PSV. FC Den Bosch and De Graafschap were relegated to the Eerste Divisie at the end of the season.-Promoted teams:...
, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08Eredivisie 2007-08The 2007–08 Eredivisie was the 52nd season of the Eredivisie, the top division of association football in the Netherlands. The season began in August 2007 and ended on 18 May 2008, with defending champions PSV retaining their title with 72 points....
- KNVB CupKNVB CupThe KNVB Cup is a competition in the Netherlands organized by the Royal Dutch Football Association since 1899. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside of the Netherlands, it is often referred to as the Dutch Cup...
: 1
- KNVB Cup
- 2004-05
- Johan Cruijff Schaal: 1
- 2008Johan Cruijff-schaal XIIIThe match for Johan Cruijff-schaal XIII was held on 23 August 2008 in the Amsterdam ArenA. The match featured the Eredivisie 2007-08 champions PSV and KNVB Cup 2007-08 winners Feyenoord. The match started off the 2008-09 season in Dutch football....
- 2004-05
FC BarcelonaFC BarcelonaFutbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
- La LigaLa LigaThe Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
: 1
-
- 2010-11
- UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 1
- UEFA Champions League
- 2010-11
- Supercopa de EspañaSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 1
- Supercopa de España
- 20112011 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2011 Supercopa de España was a two-legged Spanish football match-up that was played on 14 and 17 August 2011. It was contested by Real Madrid, the 2010–11 Copa del Rey winners, and Barcelona, the 2010–11 La Liga winners....
- UEFA Super Cup: 1
- 20112011 UEFA Super Cup-External links:*, UEFA.com...
- 2010-11
Individual
- Young Player of the Year in The Netherlands: 1
-
- 2007
External links
- FC Barcelona profile
- La Liga profile
- BDFutbol profile
- Transfermarkt profile
- Ibrahim Afellay ESPN Soccernet
- Ibrahim Afellay profile Wereld van Oranje
- 2010 FIFA World Cup profile