Zineddine Belaïd

Zineddine Belaïd
Born	(1999-03-20) March 20, 1999 Thénia, Algeria
Occupation	Professional footballer
Years active	2018–
Known for	Centre-back for JS Kabylie and the Algerian national team

Zineddine Belaïd (; Tamazight: ⵣⵉⵏⴷⴷⵉⵏ ⴱⵍⵄⵉⴷ; born 20 March 1999) is a professional Algerian footballer who occupies the position of centre-back for both JS Kabylie and the Algerian national team.

Club career

Belaïd inked his first professional deal with NA Hussein Dey on 31 May 2018, making his debut on 20 January 2019 during the 2018–19 CAF Confederation Cup encounter against Al-Ahly Benghazi. After a season with limited playing time, he established himself as a pivotal figure in his second season, netting his inaugural goal on 30 October 2019 versus JS Saoura. On 11 October 2020, Belaïd committed to a four-year contract with USM Alger, where he quickly became an essential player and captain. His impressive displays drew attention from Al-Arabi SC, champions of the 2023 Emir of Qatar Cup, with coach Younes Ali showing strong interest following the CAF Confederation Cup final.

On 3 June 2023, Belaïd celebrated winning the 2022–23 CAF Confederation Cup with USM Alger after overcoming Young Africans. Despite transfer offers, including from Belgian outfit Sint-Truiden, he extended his contract for an additional two years on 17 August 2023. On 15 September 2023, Belaïd scored the winning goal in USM Alger’s triumph over Al Ahly in the 2023 CAF Super Cup, marking his second title within a three-month period.

Though he renewed his contract with USM Alger, Belaïd expressed aspirations to compete in Europe. This ambition materialized on 23 June 2024 when an agreement was reached with USM Alger’s management to facilitate his transfer to Sint-Truiden, enabling the club to gain financially while supporting his professional growth.

Subsequently, on 23 August 2025, Belaïd secured a three-year contract with JS Kabylie.

International career

In June 2021, Belaïd received his maiden call-up from Madjid Bougherra to join the Algeria A' squad for a match against Liberia. This fixture marked the opening of the new stadium in Oran and concluded with a commanding 5–1 victory. On 2 January 2023, he was named among the 28 players selected for the 2022 African Nations Championship. Participating in all fixtures, Belaïd helped the team reach the final, finishing as runners-up after losing to Senegal. On 30 May 2023, the FAF included him in Djamel Belmadi's lineup for June fixtures, where he debuted against Uganda during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Later, on 29 December 2023, Belaïd was named in Algeria's final squad of 26 players for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
NA Hussein Dey	2018–19	Ligue 1	2	0	—		1	0	—		3	0
	2019–20		19	1	2	0	—		—		21	1
	Total		21	1	2	0	1	0	—		24	1
USM Alger	2020–21	Ligue 1	33	1	—		—		3	0	36	1
	2021–22		30	3	—		—		—		30	3
	2022–23		23	3	—		16	3	—		39	6
	2023–24		18	0	4	3	10	2	—		32	5
	Total		104	7	4	3	26	5	3	0	137	15
Sint-Truiden	2024–25	Belgian Pro League	5	0	1	0	—		—		6	0
Career total			127	8	6	3	27	5	3	0	163	16

Honours

Algeria A

• Runner-up in the African Nations Championship: 2022

USM Alger

• Winner of the CAF Confederation Cup: 2022–23
• Champion of the CAF Super Cup: 2023