Youcef Atal
Youcef Atal | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 17, 1996 Algeria |
| Occupation | Professional footballer |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Known for | Right-back for Al Sadd and Algeria national team |
Youcef Atal (; born 17 May 1996) is a professional Algerian footballer who operates primarily as a right-back and currently represents Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League, as well as the Algerian national team.
Club career
Atal launched his professional journey at Algerian outfit Paradou AC before moving on loan to Belgian club Kortrijk in 2017. Despite facing several injuries, Kortrijk opted to make his transfer permanent. In 2018, he secured a move to French side Nice, where he featured in the opening match of the season, netted his inaugural goal in November, and achieved a hat-trick in April, concluding his first campaign with six goals. In December 2019, Atal underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
On 9 February 2024, Atal agreed to join Turkish Süper Lig team Adana Demirspor on a contract lasting until the season’s conclusion.
Later, in September 2024, he signed a two-year deal with Al-Sadd SC competing in the Qatar Stars League.
International career
Atal received his initial call-up to the Algeria national team on 1 June 2017 for a friendly match against Guinea and a qualifier for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations versus Togo. He was included in Algeria’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in December 2023.
Controversy
On 14 October 2023, during the Gaza conflict, Atal shared a video on social media featuring Palestinian preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat praying for "a dark day" to befall Jewish people. Following public backlash, including criticism from Nice mayor Christian Estrosi who demanded Atal condemn Hamas or face removal from OGC Nice, Atal deleted the video and issued an apology on Instagram, affirming that he "denounces all forms of violence." Subsequently, on 16 October, the public prosecutor in Nice initiated a preliminary inquiry into Atal for "defending terrorism." Two days later, OGC Nice announced an indefinite suspension of the player. On 25 October, the Ligue de Football Professionnel imposed a seven-match ban on Atal related to the social media post.
On 24 November, French authorities detained Atal regarding his anti-Semitic online content. In January 2024, he was found guilty of inciting religious hatred and received an eight-month suspended prison sentence.
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 2017 | 4 | 0 |
| 2018 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 50 | 2 | |
- Scores list Algeria first; score column reflects match score immediately following each goal by Atal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 November 2018 | Stade Municipal, Lomé, Togo | 6 | Template:Fb | 2–0 | 4–1 | 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group D | |
| 2 | 27 September 2022 | Olympic Stadium, Oran, Algeria | 28 | Template:Fb | 2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly |
Honours
Paradou AC
- Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2 champions: 2016–17
Nice
- Coupe de France finalist: 2021–22
Algeria
- Africa Cup of Nations winner: 2019