Hassan Yebda: The Rise of Algeria’s Midfield Maestro
Introduction
Football, also known as soccer, is the most popular sport in Algeria. Algerian national team has delivered some memorable performances in recent World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations. One of the midfield maestros of this team is Hassan Yebda. In this article, we will take a closer look at his football journey.
Early Life and Football Career
Hassan Yebda was born on May 14th, 1984 in Saint-Maurice, a French commune near Paris. From a very young age, he showed a keen interest in football. He spent most of his childhood playing football with his friends in the streets. His father played an important role in developing his football skills.
At the age of 13, Yebda joined the youth academy of local club Red Star. Soon, he was recognized for his talent and signed a professional contract with the club. In 2002, he made his debut in the French Ligue 2 against Nancy.
Professional Career
After spending three seasons with Red Star, Yebda was signed by French club Auxerre in 2005. He spent four seasons at the club, making 76 appearances and scoring six goals. In 2009, he was signed by Portuguese giants Benfica.
At Benfica, Yebda established himself as an important player in the midfield. He helped the club to win the 2009-10 and 2010-11 Primeira Liga titles. In 2011, he was loaned to Italian club Napoli, where he spent two seasons.
International Career
Yebda was eligible to represent France at the international level but decided to play for Algeria, his parents’ country of origin. He made his debut for Algeria in a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda.
Yebda played a crucial role in Algeria’s journey to the knockout stage of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He was a regular member of the team during their 2014 World Cup qualification campaign.
Playing Style and Strengths
Yebda is a versatile midfielder who can play in various positions including central midfield, defensive midfield, and attacking midfield. He is known for his technical abilities, passing range, and work rate. He is also a good tackler and an excellent team player.
Challenges and Injuries
Yebda has faced several injuries throughout his career. He suffered a serious knee injury in 2012 while playing for Napoli, which kept him out of action for a year. The injury affected his performance, and he was eventually released by Benfica in 2014.
Between 2014 to 2017, Yebda played for several clubs including Udinese, Granada, and Al-Nassr but struggled with injuries and poor form. However, he continued to work hard and made a comeback to the Algerian national team in 2017.
FAQs
1) What is the birthplace of Hassan Yebda?
Hassan Yebda was born in Saint-Maurice, a French commune near Paris.
2) Which club did Yebda join at the age of 13?
Yebda joined the youth academy of local club Red Star at the age of 13.
3) Which country did Yebda choose to play for at the international level?
Yebda chose to play for Algeria, his parents’ country of origin.
4) What are the playing positions of Yebda?
Yebda can play in various positions including central midfield, defensive midfield, and attacking midfield.
5) When did Yebda suffer a serious knee injury?
Yebda suffered a serious knee injury in 2012 while playing for Napoli.
6) Which clubs did Yebda play for between 2014 to 2017?
Yebda played for Udinese, Granada, and Al-Nassr between 2014 to 2017.
7) When did Yebda make a comeback to the Algerian national team?
Yebda made a comeback to the Algerian national team in 2017.
Conclusion
Despite facing several challenges and injuries throughout his career, Hassan Yebda has always remained resilient and hardworking. His contribution to the Algerian national team has been invaluable, and his technical abilities have won the hearts of football fans worldwide. As Yebda continues to play football, we can only hope to witness more success and achievements from this midfield maestro. Football is not just a game, but it teaches us the importance of hard work, determination, and never giving up.