This is the story of an incredible talent who was surely not fully exploited. For many seasons, Youcef Belaïli has been considered one of those fallen talents in the history of football. Arriving in 2017 at Angers after several successful seasons in Tunisia and Algeria, the dynamic winger never managed to establish himself in France. Coming off a two-year hiatus after testing positive for cocaine, the Oran native only played one small match for SCO. A missed opportunity that forced him to return to Espérance de Tunis for the 2018-2019 season.
Six seasons later, Belaïli is still having a blast in the yellow and red jersey of the Tunisian club. However, the Algerian prodigy's reach isn't quite the same. Winner of the 2019 AFCON with Algeria, the fiery player has expressed himself in the Gulf and in France, where his incredible, yet inconsistent, talent has worked wonders. After a successful season with MC Alger between 2023 and 2024, Belaïli returned to Tunis last summer. A choice that quickly paid off. For his third adventure with Espérance, the Algerian international (57 caps) has scored a whopping 20 goals and 14 assists in 37 matches.
Youcef Belaïli's masterclass against Los Angeles FC
An exceptional performance that allows him to always be called up to the Fennecs and which above all allows Belaïli to continue to shine to this day in the Club World Cup . Best player of the Tunisian squad, the Oranais is brilliant. Already confusing during the inaugural defeat against Flamengo (2-0), Belaïli was the major architect of his team's success against Los Angeles FC last night. A constant poison, the former AC Ajaccio player delighted with numerous arabesques of which only he has the secret in the first period. Even more incisive during the second act, the Algerian was the one who gave the victory to the Tunisians after a goal full of malice which hit the target against Hugo Lloris (71st).
A masterclass that left no one indifferent on social media. While many Brazilians were already panicking after his great performance against Flamengo a few days ago, the 2019 African champion impressed everyone again last night. Regardless of the language, everyone praised the Algerian's great performance, which was instrumental in his team's success. It was also a historic performance, as this goal allowed Belaïli to become the first Arab player to score in this new format of the Club World Cup. Sanctioned with a yellow card at the end of the match, which meant a suspension, the 33-year-old winger will miss the final group match against Chelsea. And even if Esperance hopes to win the lifting of this sanction, the latter would confirm the incredible story of Youcef Belaïli: an exceptional talent always held back by errors that penalize him.
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