Raïs M'Bohli
Encyclopedia
Adi Raïs Cobos Adrien M'Bolhi Ouhab (born 25 April 1986), more commonly known as Raïs M'Bolhi, is an Algeria
n footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Bulgaria
n side CSKA Sofia
on loan from Krylia Sovetov Samara. He also represents Algeria
at international level.
, France
to a Congolese father and Algeria
n mother. However, his parents divorced at an early age and he grew up with his mother, who is originally from Bordj Bou Arreridj
, Algeria
. He is a Muslim
and recently said in a press conference that he is proud of being an Algeria
n Muslim
.
. 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
. 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
.
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 May 6, 2010, M'Bohli joined on a two-day trial with English champions Manchester United
, but was ultimately not selected to play on the squad. On June 23, 2010, English club Newcastle United reportedly put in a bid for him for £1million.
On 22 July he was training with West Ham in their summer training camp in Germany.
on the 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 7th round of the Bulgaria A PFG.
n side Krylia Sovetov Samara, signing a three-and-half-year contract. His debut came on 12 March 2011, in the 0:1 away loss against Spartak Nalchik, with the only goal being scored from the penalty spot.
on the 2 August 2011, for a year.
in November 2002 for a friendly match against England. In 2003 he was called up for friendlies against Portugal and Czech Republic.
In June 2004 he received his first and only call-up to France U18 national team
for the tournament in Salerno
.
Subsequently, he was called up by the Algerian Under-23 National Team
but was not released by his club Olympique de Marseille
. On May 4, 2010 Rabah Saadane announced the list of 25 players who will intern in Crans Montana in Switzerland from 13 to 27 May; M'Bohli was on the list.
On 28 May 2010, M'Bohli made his debut for Algeria
in a 3–0 loss against Ireland
after coming on as a second half substitute. He conceded one goal, a penalty kick
scored by Robbie Keane
. He made his second appearance for Algeria in the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, keeping a clean sheet and impressing in the goalless draw against England
.
Landon Donovan
's goal off of M'Bolhi's rebound in the 91st minute of Algeria's June 23 match-up against the United States
in the 2010 World Cup was the only goal he conceded in the tournament, but the 1-0 loss knocked Algeria out of the tournament in the opening round.
On 11 August 2010, M'Bolhi earned his fourth cap in the 1:2 loss against Gabon
in a friendly match.
He was also chosen as the starting goalkeeper for the first two games of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
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 who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n side CSKA Sofia
PFC CSKA Sofia
PFC CSKA Sofia , commonly known as CSKA or CSKA Sofia is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The club was officially founded on May 5, 1948. CSKA's abbreviation stands for Central Sports Club of the Army...
on loan from Krylia Sovetov Samara. He also represents Algeria
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...
at international level.
Early life
M'Bolhi was born in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
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...
to a Congolese father and Algeria
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 mother. However, his parents divorced at an early age and he grew up with his mother, who is originally from Bordj Bou Arreridj
Bordj Bou Arreridj
Bordj Bou Arréridj population 140,000 , is the capital city of Bordj Bou Arréridj Province, Algeria. It is situated 148 miles by road east of Algiers, near the Hodnar Massif in the southern Kabylia Mountains, at an elevation of 916 metres....
, Algeria
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...
. He is a Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
and recently said in a press conference that he is proud of being an Algeria
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 Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
.
Club career
M'Bolhi started playing football for RCF ParisRCF 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...
. Then, he joined Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
, 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
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
, one of 11 signings in the January transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
. However, along with fellow new buys with Luděk Stracený
Luděk Stracený
Luděk Stracený is a Czech professional football player who is currently unattached.-External links:*...
and Martin Petras
Martin Petráš
Martin Petráš is a Slovakian football central defender who currently plays for the Italian Serie B club Grosseto and the Slovakia national football team...
, he was not retained for the 2006-07 season
2006-07 in Scottish football
The 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2006:*9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and...
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
Beta Ethniki
Football League, former Beta Ethniki, is the second highest professional football league in Greece.-History:In its first years, the system of conduct was very intriguing. It began in 1954 as regional championship, separated in two groups, North and South. Then, the participating teams were the...
. M'Bolhi made 5 appearances for Ethnikos before leaving in the winter transfer period for Greek club Panetolikos
Panetolikos F.C.
Panetolikos is a football club based in Agrinio, Greece. It was founded in 1926 and is considered one of the historic clubs in Greece, having participated so far in the Greek First Division in the seasons 1975-1976,1976-1977 and 2011-2012 . Panetolikos is the reigning Football League Champion...
, then competing in Gamma Ethniki
Gamma Ethniki
Football League 2, formerly known as Gamma Ethniki, is the third highest professional football league in Greece.-History:It began in 1965 as an amateur championship, while in 1983 it was changed to professional...
.
In 2008 M'Bolhi played 22 matches for F.C. Ryūkyū
F.C. Ryukyu
are a football club from Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. They currently play in the Japan Football League.The word Ryūkyū is Okinawa Prefecture's historical name. The club also has futsal and handball teams.-History:...
in Japan Football League
Japan Football League
The is the 3rd tier of the Japanese association football league system, following J. League Division 1 and J. League Division 2. Also known as the JFL, it is generally considered as the top amateur league in Japan although in reality it is a semi-professional league as many full-time footballers...
.
Slavia Sofia
In May 2009, Bulgarian Slavia SofiaPFC Slavia Sofia
PFC Slavia Sofia is a Bulgarian football club founded on 10 April 1913 in Sofia. Slavia's ground is Slavia Stadium with a capacity of 15,992. The team's colours are white and black....
signed M'Bolhi to a two-year deal. He made his competitive debut for Slavia on 14 June 2009 against Lokomotiv Sofia
PFC Lokomotiv Sofia
PFC Lokomotiv Sofia is a Bulgarian football club from the capital city of Sofia, which currently competes in Bulgaria's top football league, the A PFG. It was founded on September 2, 1929 by a group of railway workers under the name Railway Sports Club . The club's home ground is the Lokomotiv...
. 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 May 6, 2010, M'Bohli joined on a two-day trial with English champions 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...
, but was ultimately not selected to play on the squad. On June 23, 2010, English club Newcastle United reportedly put in a bid for him for £1million.
On 22 July he was training with West Ham in their summer training camp in Germany.
CSKA Sofia loan
He was loaned out to CSKA SofiaPFC CSKA Sofia
PFC CSKA Sofia , commonly known as CSKA or CSKA Sofia is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The club was officially founded on May 5, 1948. CSKA's abbreviation stands for Central Sports Club of the Army...
on the 30 August 2010, until the end of the year. After some unstable performance from Ivan Karadzhov
Ivan Karadzhov
Ivan Karadzhov is a Bulgarian footballer. He currently is a Free Agent.-Career:He made his official debut for CSKA in the last match of 2008-09 season in the Bulgarian A PFG against Lokomotiv Mezdra...
and Zdravko Chavdarov
Zdravko Chavdarov
Zdravko Chavdarov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for CSKA Sofia as a goalkeeper.-Career:...
, 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
PFC Slavia Sofia
PFC Slavia Sofia is a Bulgarian football club founded on 10 April 1913 in Sofia. Slavia's ground is Slavia Stadium with a capacity of 15,992. The team's colours are white and black....
in the 7th round of the Bulgaria A PFG.
Krylia Sovetov
On 16 December 2010, M'Bolhi was transferred to RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n side Krylia Sovetov Samara, signing a three-and-half-year contract. His debut came on 12 March 2011, in the 0:1 away loss against Spartak Nalchik, with the only goal being scored from the penalty spot.
CSKA Sofia loan
He was loaned out to CSKA SofiaPFC CSKA Sofia
PFC CSKA Sofia , commonly known as CSKA or CSKA Sofia is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The club was officially founded on May 5, 1948. CSKA's abbreviation stands for Central Sports Club of the Army...
on the 2 August 2011, for a year.
Club statistics
As of 4 October 2010| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Hearts Heart of Midlothian F.C. Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian... |
2006–07 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ethnikos Piraeus | 2006–07 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Panetolikos Panetolikos F.C. Panetolikos is a football club based in Agrinio, Greece. It was founded in 1926 and is considered one of the historic clubs in Greece, having participated so far in the Greek First Division in the seasons 1975-1976,1976-1977 and 2011-2012 . Panetolikos is the reigning Football League Champion... |
2007–08 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Ryūkyū F.C. Ryukyu are a football club from Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. They currently play in the Japan Football League.The word Ryūkyū is Okinawa Prefecture's historical name. The club also has futsal and handball teams.-History:... |
2008–09 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| Slavia Sofia PFC Slavia Sofia PFC Slavia Sofia is a Bulgarian football club founded on 10 April 1913 in Sofia. Slavia's ground is Slavia Stadium with a capacity of 15,992. The team's colours are white and black.... |
2008–09 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009–10 | 25 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| CSKA Sofia PFC CSKA Sofia PFC CSKA Sofia , commonly known as CSKA or CSKA Sofia is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The club was officially founded on May 5, 1948. CSKA's abbreviation stands for Central Sports Club of the Army... |
2010–11 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Career totals | 65 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 70 | 0 | |
International career
He earned his first call-up to France U17 national teamFrance national under-17 football team
The France national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship and the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is held every four years...
in November 2002 for a friendly match against England. In 2003 he was called up for friendlies against Portugal and Czech Republic.
In June 2004 he received his first and only call-up to France U18 national team
France national under-18 football team
The France national under-18 football team is the national under-18 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team serves as a feeder team to the under-19 team as its matches aren't competitive...
for the tournament in Salerno
Salerno
Salerno is a city and comune in Campania and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea....
.
Subsequently, he was called up by the Algerian Under-23 National Team
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...
but was not released by his club Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
. On May 4, 2010 Rabah Saadane announced the list of 25 players who will intern in Crans Montana in Switzerland from 13 to 27 May; M'Bohli was on the list.
On 28 May 2010, M'Bohli made his debut for Algeria
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 a 3–0 loss against Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
after coming on as a second half substitute. He conceded one goal, a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
scored by Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane
Robert David "Robbie" Keane is an Irish association football player who plays as a striker for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and captains the Irish national football team....
. He made his second appearance for Algeria in 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...
, keeping a clean sheet and impressing in the goalless draw against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
.
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Timothy Donovan is an American soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer in the United States. He usually plays as a withdrawn forward, and can also be used as an attacking midfielder on either wing....
's goal off of M'Bolhi's rebound in the 91st minute of Algeria's June 23 match-up against the United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in the 2010 World Cup was the only goal he conceded in the tournament, but the 1-0 loss knocked Algeria out of the tournament in the opening round.
On 11 August 2010, M'Bolhi earned his fourth cap in the 1:2 loss against Gabon
Gabon national football team
The Gabon national football team, nicknamed Azingo Nationale, is the national team of Gabon and is controlled by the Fédération Gabonaise de Football...
in a friendly match.
He was also chosen as the starting goalkeeper for the first two games of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.