Rabah Madjer
Encyclopedia
Mustapha Rabah Madjer is a retired Algeria
n footballer.
A skilled striker, he reached stardom as an F.C. Porto player during the 1980s, and is widely regarded as one of the best Algerian football players of all time. He is widely remembered for scoring on 77 minutes, an audacious back-heeled equaliser in FC Porto's first European Cup final, against Bayern Munich in Vienna. He went on to create the late winner, four minutes after his equaliser, setting up substitute Filho Juary. The scoreline ended 2-1 in FC Porto's favour, winning their very first European Cup.
One of the most prolific Algerian internationals
in number of games and goals, Madjer played in two World Cups
with his national team, helping it to its first ever participation in 1982
. Having taken up coaching immediately after retiring, he managed several clubs, and also had several spells with the Algerian team.
, Algiers
, Madjer started his Europe
an career in 1983–84, moving to RCF Paris
from NA Hussein Dey
. He stayed there during one 1/2 seasons, finishing the 1984–85 campaign with another French
side, Tours FC
.
Madjer arrived at F.C. Porto in 1985–86 and, the next season, entered the club's history books in the European Cup
final
against FC Bayern Munich
, scoring the 1–1 equalizer in a memorable final, which eventually ended 2–1 to the Portuguese
. Pelé is believed to have said of this goal: "It would have been the greatest goal I have ever seen, if he had not looked back at it." He also scored in the club's Intercontinental Cup
conquest the same year.
After that stellar 1987, Madjer won the Ballon
d'or Africain
, but was not allowed to compete for the European Golden Ball as he was not born in the region. He subsequently signed for La Liga
's Valencia CF
in July, but lasted only a few months with the Che, returning to Porto for a further three 1/2 seasons.
In the 1987–88 Portuguese season, the first upon his return, Madjer scored 10 in only 11 matches, being instrumental in the league conquest. He retired from the game in 1992, aged nearly 34, after a brief stint with Qatar SC.
for 14 years, and was present at the 1982
and 1986 FIFA World Cup
finals. He retired as the nation's top goalscorer at 31, in 87 caps
, having also won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1990
, as the hosts incidentally beat Nigeria
twice, in the opening match 5–1 and the final 1–0.
Madjer's most famous goal came in Algeria's 2–1 win over Germany
in the 1982 World Cup, when he opened the scoring in the 53rd minute. In 1993, he began coaching the national team but, after failing to qualify for two 1994 major competitions, the World Cup
and the CAN
, resigned, returning to Porto as a youth coordinator.
After a quick spell in 1999, Madjer returned two years later, only to resign with aggravation in the 2002 summer. He also managed Qatar
i clubs Al-Wakrah Sports Club and Al-Rayyan Sports Club.
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n footballer.
A skilled striker, he reached stardom as an F.C. Porto player during the 1980s, and is widely regarded as one of the best Algerian football players of all time. He is widely remembered for scoring on 77 minutes, an audacious back-heeled equaliser in FC Porto's first European Cup final, against Bayern Munich in Vienna. He went on to create the late winner, four minutes after his equaliser, setting up substitute Filho Juary. The scoreline ended 2-1 in FC Porto's favour, winning their very first European Cup.
One of the most prolific Algerian internationals
Algeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
in number of games and goals, Madjer played in two World Cups
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
with his national team, helping it to its first ever participation in 1982
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
. Having taken up coaching immediately after retiring, he managed several clubs, and also had several spells with the Algerian team.
Club career
Born in Hussein DeyHussein Dey, Algeria
Hussein Dey is a suburb of the city of Algiers in northern Algeria, named after Hussein Dey....
, Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
, Madjer started his Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an career in 1983–84, moving to RCF Paris
RCF Paris
Racing Club de France – Levallois 92 is a French association football club formerly based in Colombes, a suburb of Paris. In 2009, the club moved to nearby Levallois-Perret after the club reached a financial agreement with the commune. Racing was founded in 1882 as a sports club and is one of the...
from NA Hussein Dey
NA Hussein Dey
Nasr Athlétique de Hussein Dey is an Algerian football club based in Hussein Dey, Algiers. The club was founded in 1947 by the merger of three clubs from Hussein Dey: Nedjma Sport de Hussein Dey, l’Idéal Club de la Glacière and l’Espérance Sportive de Léveilley. Their home stadium is Stade Frères...
. He stayed there during one 1/2 seasons, finishing the 1984–85 campaign with another French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
side, Tours FC
Tours FC
Tours Football Club is a French association football club based in Tours, the capital city of the Indre-et-Loire department. The club was formed in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Tours plays its home matches at the Stade de la Vallée du Cher located within...
.
Madjer arrived at F.C. Porto in 1985–86 and, the next season, entered the club's history books in the European Cup
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...
final
1987 European Cup Final
The 1987 European Cup Final was a football match held at the Prater Stadium, Vienna, on 27 May 1987, that saw Porto of Portugal defeat Bayern Munich of West Germany 2–1...
against FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
, scoring the 1–1 equalizer in a memorable final, which eventually ended 2–1 to the Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. Pelé is believed to have said of this goal: "It would have been the greatest goal I have ever seen, if he had not looked back at it." He also scored in the club's 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...
conquest the same year.
After that stellar 1987, Madjer won the Ballon
d'or Africain
African Footballer of the Year
The African Footballer of the Year award, presented to the best African football player each year, has been conferred by the Confederation of African Football since 1992. An earlier African Footballer of the Year Golden Ball award was given out between 1970 and 1994 by France Football magazine...
, but was not allowed to compete for the European Golden Ball as he was not born in the region. He subsequently signed for La Liga
La Liga
The 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...
's Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
in July, but lasted only a few months with the Che, returning to Porto for a further three 1/2 seasons.
In the 1987–88 Portuguese season, the first upon his return, Madjer scored 10 in only 11 matches, being instrumental in the league conquest. He retired from the game in 1992, aged nearly 34, after a brief stint with Qatar SC.
International career
Madjer played for the Algerian national teamAlgeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
for 14 years, and was present at the 1982
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
and 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
finals. He retired as the nation's top goalscorer at 31, in 87 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
, having also won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1990
1990 African Cup of Nations
-Semi-finals:-----Third Place Play-off:-Final:-Top scorers:4 goals Djamel Menad3 goals Djamel Amani Rashidi Yekini2 goals Rabah Madjer Chérif Oudjani Emmanuel Maboang Abdoulaye Traoré Webster Chikabala...
, as the hosts incidentally beat Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
twice, in the opening match 5–1 and the final 1–0.
Madjer's most famous goal came in Algeria's 2–1 win over Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
in the 1982 World Cup, when he opened the scoring in the 53rd minute. In 1993, he began coaching the national team but, after failing to qualify for two 1994 major competitions, the World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
and the CAN
1994 African Cup of Nations
-Group B:---------Group C:---------Group D:---------Knockout Stages:-Quarterfinals:-------------Semifinals:-----Third place playoff:-Final:-Scorers:5 goals Rashidi Yekini4 goals Joël Tiéhi...
, resigned, returning to Porto as a youth coordinator.
After a quick spell in 1999, Madjer returned two years later, only to resign with aggravation in the 2002 summer. He also managed Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
i clubs Al-Wakrah Sports Club and Al-Rayyan Sports Club.
Club
- Algerian CupAlgerian CupThe Algerian Cup is a football competition in Algeria, pitting regional teams against each other. It was established in October 1962, three months after independence, and has been played yearly since then apart from 1990 and 1993. The 2011 edition was won by JS Kabylie who beat USM El Harrach...
: 1978–79 - European CupUEFA 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...
: 1986–87 - UEFA Super Cup: 1987
- Intercontinental CupIntercontinental 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...
: 1987 - Portuguese League: 1985–86, 1987–88, 1990–91
- Portuguese CupTaça de PortugalThe Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
: 1987–88, 1990–91 - Portuguese Supercup: 1986, 1991
Individual
- African Footballer of the YearAfrican Footballer of the YearThe African Footballer of the Year award, presented to the best African football player each year, has been conferred by the Confederation of African Football since 1992. An earlier African Footballer of the Year Golden Ball award was given out between 1970 and 1994 by France Football magazine...
: 1987 - Arab Footballer of the 20th Century: 2004
- Algerian Footballer of the 20th Century: 2009 (with Lakhdar BelloumiLakhdar BelloumiLakhdar Belloumi is a former Algerian football player and manager. He is widely considered as the best Algerian player of all time and one of the best players in Africa and the world. He is said to have invented the Blind Pass...
) - Algerian Footballer of the Year: Several awards
- African Footballer of the 20th Century: Fifth place