Saturday evening, the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium was transformed into a theater of memory to honor one of the greatest names in the history of AS Saint-Étienne and Algerian football: Rachid Mekhloufi. Died on November 8 at the age of 88, the man who was both a legendary player and a timeless symbol received, on the sidelines of ASSE-Montpellier, a final tribute imbued with dignity and emotion.
Before the meeting between the Greens and Montpellier, the Cauldron froze in deep contemplation. A minute of silence, followed by warm applause, united players, supporters and managers to pay tribute to the memory of the man who embodied a golden era of the club. Rachid Mekhloufi's two daughters, guests of honor, gave the symbolic start of this unforgettable evening, surrounded by former glories like Hervé Revelli.
The second highest scorer of all time at ASSE
On the field, the Saint-Etienne players wore a special tunic adorned with a commemorative badge and wore black armbands as a sign of mourning. This jersey paid tribute to the man who was the first scorer for the Greens in the European Cup and remains to this day the second best scorer in the club's history with 152 goals. A photo immortalizing this icon was also presented on the screen, as if to reinforce the solemn character of this evening.
Rachid Mekhloufi was not only a talented player, he was a symbol of elegance, loyalty and excellence. Founder of the FLN team in 1958, he gave up an international career with the French team, in particular a potential participation in the World Cup, to peacefully support the fight for Algeria's independence. This courageous gesture, like his sporting exploits, made history beyond the field.
Rachid Mekhloufi: Forever in the history of ASSE!
On a sporting level, ASSE duly honored the memory of Rachid Mekhloufi. The meeting ended in a precious victory for ASSE, thanks to a volley from Benjamin Bouchouari at the start of the second half (1-0). But beyond the score, this evening will remain as a moment of communion between a club, its supporters and the legacy of a man whose story goes beyond the borders of sport.
Rachid Mekhloufi leaves behind an immortal legacy, an inspiration for future generations and an eternal place in the hearts of the people of Saint-Etienne. Forever in history.
