Kaddour Bekhloufi

Kaddour Bekhloufi
Born	Template:Birth date Oran, Algeria
Died	July 26, 2019(2019-07-26) (aged 85)
Occupation	Professional footballer
Known for	Playing for FLN football team and Algerian national team

Kaddour Bekhloufi (7 June 1934 – 26 July 2019) was a professional soccer player known for his versatility as both a forward and a defender. Internationally, he represented the FLN football team as well as the Algerian national team.

Biography

Bekhloufi's passion for football emerged early in his life in Oran, where he was involved with several local clubs. His initial football journey started at Club Athlétique Liberté d'Oran (CAL Oran), before moving on to play for AS Marine d'Oran.

In 1956, he attracted interest from foreign clubs, including offers from Valencia and AS Monaco. After a trial period with AS Monaco, he earned a spot on their roster and participated in tours across Corsica and Germany, showcasing his abilities. During his first official appearance, coming on as a substitute for Michel Hidalgo, he scored a goal that received acclaim from notable figures such as Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly, who later met him personally.

By 1958, Bekhloufi became part of the FLN football team based in Tunis, where he took part in 30 matches over four years. Following his tenure with the FLN team, he continued his career at USM Bel Abbès, then returned to Oran to play for ASM Oran, and eventually finished his playing days at USM Sétif. Subsequently, he moved into coaching roles, including managing ASM Oran.