Karim Matmour
Karim Matmour | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 25, 1985 Strasbourg, France |
| Occupation | Professional footballer (retired) |
| Years active | 2005–2017 |
| Known for | Winger for SC Freiburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Eintracht Frankfurt, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Al-Arabi, Huddersfield Town, 1860 Munich, Adelaide United; Algerian international |
Karim Matmour (; born 25 June 1985) is a retired Algerian professional football player who operated primarily as a winger.
Throughout his club career, Matmour represented several teams including SC Freiburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Eintracht Frankfurt, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Al-Arabi, Huddersfield Town, 1860 Munich, and Adelaide United.
An Algerian international starting in 2007, he earned 30 international caps and netted two goals, participating in both the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
SC Freiburg
Matmour was born in Strasbourg, France, and began his football journey with his local club, Vauban Strasbourg. He later joined the youth ranks of RC Strasbourg. After failing to break into Strasbourg’s senior squad and facing rejection from Racing CFF, he briefly returned to Vauban Strasbourg before relocating to Germany in 2004 to sign with SC Freiburg.
Starting off with Freiburg’s reserve team, Matmour was promoted to the first team midway through the 2005–06 season. He made his senior debut on 28 January 2006 and scored his initial goals on 3 May 2006. He wrapped up that season having played 16 matches and scored twice across all competitions. Despite his efforts, Freiburg ended the campaign in fourth place in the 2. Bundesliga, narrowly missing out on promotion.
During the 2006–07 season, Matmour held a regular spot in the starting lineup until a knee injury forced him out for several months. Upon his return in January 2007, he contributed to important victories and finished the year with 33 appearances and three goals as Freiburg once more secured fourth place.
Prior to the 2007–08 season, Matmour extended his contract until 2010. He maintained a flexible role across midfield and attacking positions, scoring six goals in 34 matches. Although hampered by some injuries, he delivered significant goals against opponents such as 1. FC Köln, FC St. Pauli, and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Freiburg concluded that season fifth in the league standings. By the time he left the club, Matmour had accumulated a total of 79 league appearances over three seasons competing in the 2. Bundesliga.
Borussia Mönchengladbach
On 4 June 2008, Matmour agreed to a four-year deal with newly promoted Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach, who paid €2 million to secure his transfer from SC Freiburg.
He made his debut during an emphatic 8–1 victory over VfB Fichte Bielefeld in the opening round of the DFB-Pokal, playing for 61 minutes. A week later, Matmour appeared for the first time in the Bundesliga during a 3–1 defeat against VfB Stuttgart. He scored his inaugural goal for Mönchengladbach on 30 August 2008 in a narrow 3–2 triumph over Werder Bremen. Despite criticism regarding his goal-scoring frequency, he quickly established himself as a regular starter. By season’s end, he had made 35 appearances and scored three goals, helping the team avoid relegation by finishing 15th.
Before the start of the 2009–10 campaign, Turkish club Fenerbahçe expressed interest in acquiring him; however, Matmour remained at Mönchengladbach. He opened his scoring account for that season on 25 August 2009 during a 2–1 win against Hertha BSC. Initially deployed in midfield roles before transitioning to striker duties, he encountered difficulties finding the net consistently amid injury setbacks. Returning from international duty and recovering from injuries late December, he provided assists and continued contributing as an important squad member, concluding the season with 27 appearances and one goal.
On 1 August 2010, Matmour scored a decisive goal in a friendly match against Liverpool celebrating Borussia’s 110th anniversary. The early months of the 2010–11 season were plagued by multiple injuries limiting his playing time. He made a substitute appearance against Bayern Munich in November and overcame further absences due to illness to reclaim his place on the team. Notably, on 30 January 2011, he assisted the match-winning goal during a 1–0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. Throughout the remainder of the season, Matmour alternated between starting roles and coming off the bench; he also featured as a substitute in both relegation play-off fixtures against VfL Bochum, aiding Borussia’s successful bid to remain in the Bundesliga. He totaled 23 appearances that year.
Following that campaign, rumors surfaced about potential transfers involving Matmour, including interest from French clubs; however, no transfer was finalized.
Eintracht Frankfurt
On 1 July 2011, Matmour committed to a one-year deal with Eintracht Frankfurt, including an option for the club to extend for an additional two years. The transfer fee was not publicly disclosed. Chairman Heribert Bruchhagen highlighted Matmour as the perfect candidate to fill the vacant right-wing role, fitting well with coach Armin Veh's tactical approach.
Matmour made an immediate impression by scoring on his debut in a 3–2 triumph over Greuther Fürth. On 7 August 2011, he provided two assists during a 3–0 win against Eintracht Braunschweig. He quickly earned a regular starting position as the right midfielder. By the close of 2011, he had netted three goals, including important strikes against FC Ingolstadt 04 and Alemannia Aachen. On 18 February 2012, Matmour delivered a standout performance with a hat-trick and an assist in a commanding 6–1 victory over FSV Frankfurt. Following an injury in early March, he returned to action as a substitute for the remainder of the season. He appeared for 14 minutes off the bench in Eintracht Frankfurt’s decisive 3–0 victory over Alemannia Aachen on 23 April 2012, which secured promotion. Matmour concluded the 2011–12 campaign with 30 appearances and six goals across all competitions.
During the 2012–13 season, Matmour started mostly on the bench due to a thigh injury but gradually increased his playing time, predominantly as a substitute. He scored once in a 3–1 win against Hannover 96 on 20 October 2012. However, November proved challenging as he received two red cards for second yellow offenses in matches against Schalke 04 and Fortuna Düsseldorf. After serving his suspension, Matmour continued to feature mainly as a substitute throughout the season. His efforts contributed to Eintracht Frankfurt securing sixth place in the Bundesliga and qualifying for the UEFA Europa League. He finished that season with 24 appearances and one goal in all competitions.
1. FC Kaiserslautern
On 21 June 2013, Matmour signed with 1. FC Kaiserslautern on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Eintracht Frankfurt, agreeing to a two-year contract as the club’s fourth acquisition of that summer.
He made his debut in a narrow 1–0 victory over SC Paderborn and scored his first goal on 3 August 2013 during a dominant 7–0 DFB-Pokal first-round win against Neckarsulmer SU. Quickly establishing himself as a key player, Matmour also filled in at right-back due to squad shortages. He scored again in the DFB-Pokal second round versus Hertha BSC and opened his league goal account on 8 November 2013 in a comprehensive 4–0 win over FSV Frankfurt. Despite missing one match because of a thigh injury, he started nearly every other game that season and ended with 37 appearances and five goals as Kaiserslautern secured fourth place in the league.
In the following season, 2014–15, Matmour both scored and assisted during a crucial 2–1 victory over Eintracht Braunschweig on 24 August 2014. He began the campaign starting nine consecutive matches mainly as a right winger but missed several games due to flu. Returning off the bench against Fortuna Düsseldorf, he later assisted twice in a thrilling 2–2 draw against VfL Bochum. Persistent illness restricted his playing time; however, he still provided key assists and scored once more in a commanding 4–0 triumph over 1. FC Heidenheim on 4 April 2015. A thigh injury eventually ruled him out for the remainder of the season as Kaiserslautern again finished fourth overall. That year, Matmour accumulated 27 appearances and three goals.
With his contract concluding in summer 2015, Matmour chose not to extend his stay and was subsequently released by Kaiserslautern.
Al-Arabi SC
On 17 June 2015, Matmour agreed to a two-year deal with Kuwait's Al-Arabi after departing from 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Prior to this decision, he had contemplated joining Karlsruher SC but ultimately chose to continue his career in Kuwait. He made his first appearance in a commanding 10–1 victory over Al-Tadamun SC, where he scored the fourth goal. Following two goals in the Kuwait Federation Cup, Matmour sought to terminate his contract and lodged a complaint with FIFA concerning financial disagreements. His contract was officially ended by Al-Arabi on 31 October 2015.
Huddersfield Town
Matmour joined English Football League Championship side Huddersfield Town on 20 January 2016 after a successful trial, signing a contract valid until the conclusion of the 2015–16 season. He made his debut as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on 23 January and earned his first start in a 3–2 loss against Cardiff City on 30 January. His inaugural goal for Huddersfield came during the West Yorkshire derby against Leeds United, contributing to a 4–1 triumph on 19 March.
Throughout his tenure, Matmour appeared in 13 matches and scored once before Huddersfield opted not to renew his contract, resulting in his release in May 2016.
1860 Munich
At the onset of the 2016–17 season, Matmour signed a two-year contract with German second division club 1860 Munich.
He made his debut in a narrow 1–0 defeat to Greuther Fürth, playing for 61 minutes. On 20 August 2016, Matmour netted his first goal for the club during the opening round of the DFB-Pokal, securing a 2–1 victory over Karlsruher SC. On 22 September, he provided two assists in a 2–2 draw with FC St. Pauli. Unfortunately, injuries and limited playing time hindered his season.
After recovering from injury, tensions arose between Matmour and new manager Vítor Pereira, resulting in his demotion to the reserve squad, TSV 1860 Munich II. Off-field conflicts further complicated matters, leading to legal disputes with the club. Consequently, his contract was terminated in March 2017 despite having one year left. By that point, Matmour had featured fourteen times and scored once across all competitions.
Adelaide United
On 15 August 2017, Matmour inked a one-year contract with Australian A-League outfit Adelaide United. He started in the season opener, which ended in a 1–1 draw against Wellington Phoenix. After making eleven appearances, he mutually agreed to end his contract early and departed from Adelaide United in December 2017.
Post playing career
Following his stint in Australia, Matmour returned to Germany and accepted an assistant coaching role at Kehler FV in February 2018. Although not officially retired from professional football at that time, he transitioned into coaching and was promoted to head coach of Kehler FV five months later. Three months afterward, he resigned from the head coach position but continued contributing to the club as an advisor. In March 2019, Matmour obtained his UEFA A coaching licence.
In September 2020, he took on the role of scout for Bayer Leverkusen after several months of speculation regarding his move into talent identification and recruitment.
International career
Matmour earned his initial selection for the Algeria national football team in a match against Libya, making his debut on 6 February 2007 during a 2–1 victory. He netted his first goal for the national side on 7 June 2009, contributing to a 3–1 win over Egypt. Later that year, he came off the bench to help Algeria secure a 1–0 triumph against Egypt, which ensured their qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Under the guidance of coach Saâdane, Matmour was included in Algeria's squad for the 2010 African Cup of Nations held in Angola. He played a pivotal role in several matches, notably scoring an equalizing goal against Ivory Coast in a thrilling 3–2 victory that propelled Algeria into the semi-finals. Despite his strong displays and receiving a Man of the Match honor, Algeria ultimately finished fourth after defeats to Egypt and Nigeria.
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosted by South Africa, Matmour started in all three group stage fixtures. Algeria exited the tournament at the group phase without registering a goal. Following the World Cup, he returned to represent Algeria in a fixture versus Morocco on 4 June 2011. However, on 3 May 2012, he announced a pause from international duties to concentrate on his club commitments. This break was later associated with disagreements involving manager Vahid Halilhodžić.
Personal life
Matmour was born in Strasbourg, France, into an Algerian family with six siblings. His early football experiences took place near his residence, inspired by the Brazilian player Raí. He placed significant importance on education, even missing an entire year of football—a period he described as "the worst time of his life." Fluent in French and German, he also understands Arabic and has expressed a desire to master it completely. Politically, Matmour has voiced criticism of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy regarding policies affecting young French immigrants. He practices Muslim faith.
Since 2009, Matmour has been married to Manel Filali, an Algerian-German singer recognized for her collaboration with Anne Ross in the pop duo Milk & Honey.
Club
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| SC Freiburg | 2005–06 | 2. Bundesliga | 16 | 2 | – | – | 16 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 0 | – | 33 | 3 | |||
| 2007–08 | 32 | 5 | 2 | 1 | – | 34 | 6 | |||
| Total | 79 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 11 | ||
| Borussia Mönchengladbach | 2008–09 | Bundesliga | 34 | 3 | 1 | 0 | – | 35 | 3 | |
| 2009–10 | 25 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | 27 | 1 | |||
| 2010–11 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 20 | 0 | |||
| Total | 77 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 4 | ||
| Eintracht Frankfurt | 2011–12 | 2. Bundesliga | 28 | 6 | 2 | 0 | – | 30 | 6 | |
| 2012–13 | Bundesliga | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 24 | 1 | ||
| Total | 52 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 7 | ||
| 1. FC Kaiserslautern | 2013–14 | 2. Bundesliga | 32 | 3 | 5 | 2 | – | 37 | 5 | |
| 2014–15 | 24 | 2 | 3 | 0 | – | 27 | 2 | |||
| Total | 56 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 7 | ||
| Al-Arabi | 2015–16 | Kuwaiti Premier League | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 | 2 | |
| Huddersfield Town | 2015–16 | Football League Championship | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 16 | 1 | |
| 1860 Munich | 2016–17 | 2. Bundesliga | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 14 | 0 | |
| Adelaide United | 2017–18 | A-League | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | 11 | 0 | |
International
- The scoreline displays Algeria's goals first, with the score column reflecting the match status immediately following each goal scored by Matmour.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 June 2009 | Stade Mustapha Tchaker, Blida, Algeria | Template:Fb | 1–0 | 3–1 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF) |
| 2 | 24 January 2010 | Estádio Nacional do Chiazi, Cabinda, Angola | Template:Fb | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2010 African Cup of Nations |