Axel Allag, Media365, published on Friday November 8, 2024 at 7:27 p.m.
The second top scorer in the history of AS Saint-Étienne, Rachid Mekhloufi, died this Friday at the age of 88.
Two days before the derby against OL, ASSE mourns one of its greatest legends. In an official press release published on X, the Greens announced the sad news. “The Saint-Etienne tears are flowing. A great man, an immense footballer has passed away. Rachid Mekhloufi is no more, but his legacy will never leave us.” A native of Sétif, the Algerian arrived in Saint-Étienne at the age of 18 in 1954 and his talent quickly led his team to a French championship title, in 1957, 3 years later, scoring 25 goals during this exercise.
ASSE's first scorer in the European Cup against Rangers in 1957, the striker also had to leave the club for four years, between 1958 and 1962, in order to join Tunis and more specifically the FLN team (Front of national liberation). Upon his return, Rachid Mekhloufi was able to glean a D2 championship title in 1963, then three D1 championship titles in 1964, 1967 and 1968, without forgetting a victory in the Coupe de France in 1968. Crowned best player in the French championship in 1964, 1966 and 1967, he will also remain known for his famous double in the 1968 Coupe de France final against Bordeaux (2-1).
Second top scorer in the history of the Greens with 152 goals in 339 matches, he is behind Hervé Revelli and his 212 goals. Rachid Mekhloufi, who began his playing career at USM Sétif in 1952-1953, also played for Servette Genève (in 1962-1963) and SEC Bastia (from 1968 to 1970), without forgetting to wear the jersey of the Blues, with whom he was World Military Champion in 1957 (4 caps). During his rich career, he was also the coach of Algeria, in particular, between 1971 and 1972 then from 1975 to 1979. On the airwaves of RMC, Jean-Michel Larqué was moved by this death: “My master , the one who was my example as a professional, he was a huge player, my role model,” he assured.
