Rachid Mekhloufi, legend of AS Saint-Etienne and historic figure of Algerian Football, died at the age of 88. Arriving at Saint-Etienne in 1954 at just 18 years old, he quickly established himself as a major talent, contributing to the club's first title in 1957 with 25 goals. In 1958, when he was expected to participate in the World Cup with the French team, he made the historic choice to join the FLN team, created to promote Algerian independence.
After a stint at Servette Genève (1961-1962), he returned to the Greens where he continued his remarkable career. His impressive record includes four French championships (1957, 1964, 1967, 1968) and a Coupe de France (1968). His performances earned him three France Football Gold Stars (1964, 1966, 1967).
Talented player, then coach of Algeria
At the end of his playing career, he took charge of the bench to become a coach. And his coaching career is just as notable. He became coach of Algeria three times in 1971-1972, from 1975 to 1979 and at the 1982 World Cup, during which the Fennecs beat Germany (2-1). He remains the second top scorer in ASSE history with 152 goals. Furthermore, Rachid Makhloufi continued to work for his sport within the Algerian Football Federation, of which he was briefly president, and the African Confederation (CAF). He notably participated in the creation of several football schools.
In its tribute, AS Saint-Etienne underlines that “For eternity, Rachid Mekhloufi has joined Robert Herbin, Georges Bereta, André Fefeu, Salif Keita and Kees Rijvers, recently taken from the affection of theirs, as many players, exemplary and talented at the same time, who will have left an indelible mark in the collective memory of the Green People.” The club salutes the memory of this “ball aesthete” who was named “life ambassador” of the club in 2013.
France
