After the death of the late Rachid Mekhloufi, legendary former player of AS Saint-Étienne and emblematic figure of the FLN team, Jean-Michel Larqué, his former teammate and now sports journalist, shared a vibrant and moving tribute recognition on Canal Algérie.
Larqué, who joined AS Saint-Étienne at the age of 18, remembers Mekhloufi as a mentor and a role model, even beyond the field. “Rachid was my master. When I arrived in Saint-Étienne, I was 18 years old, I was young, I wanted to become professional. I needed a role model and quite naturally, when I saw Rachid with the ball, I said to myself that I wanted to play football like him. »
With emotion, Larqué describes the deep respect he had for his teammate, particularly for the way in which Mekhloufi behaved with young players, always available and caring. “I had deep respect for Rachid, because he behaved wonderfully well with young people. He was a wonderful example for me”he added.
The last meeting between the two men was significant.
“The last time I met Mekhloufi, he was with his son in Paris. I officially left RMC radio, and they organized a small evening in my honor in front of the Eiffel Tower. I had the privilege and the honor of seeing Rachid arrive. I had a few tears, because I saw there someone who had meant a lot in my life as a footballer. »
In concluding, Larqué expresses sincere and lasting admiration for Mekhloufi: “I was not ashamed to say that he was my master, and that I had learned a lot from him. » This poignant tribute reveals the lasting impact Mekhloufi had on his teammates and the world of football, testifying to his generosity and exceptional talent.
DZfoot
