Overview
Rachid Ghezzal, born on 9 May 1992, is an Algerian professional footballer who primarily functions as a midfielder. Standing at 1.82 meters, Ghezzal's career has been characterized by his technical proficiency, vision, and ability to create chances, often from wide positions. He was born in Décines-Charpieu, France, making him eligible for both France and Algeria, but he ultimately chose to represent his ancestral nation on the international stage. His professional journey has taken him through several European leagues, including Ligue 1 in France, the Premier League in England, and the Süper Lig in Turkey, where he has consistently demonstrated his attacking prowess and set-piece delivery.
Position
Ghezzal is predominantly a right-sided midfielder or winger, though he possesses the versatility to operate effectively on the left flank or as an attacking midfielder behind the striker. His role often involves drifting inside to influence play, link up with central midfielders, and create shooting opportunities with his preferred left foot. He is adept at receiving the ball in tight spaces and distributing it accurately, making him a valuable asset in build-up play and offensive transitions. His tactical flexibility allows coaches to deploy him in various systems, from a traditional 4-4-2 to a more fluid 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation.
Identity
Rachid Ghezzal's footballing identity is centered around his creative playmaking and goal contribution. He is a player who thrives on combining intricate dribbling with incisive passing, often looking to unbalance defenses with a direct run or a perfectly weighted through ball. His ability to deliver dangerous crosses and take accurate free-kicks and corners adds another dimension to his offensive game. While not always the highest volume scorer, his impact often lies in his assists and his role in initiating attacking sequences. His composure on the ball and decision-making in the final third are key attributes that define his style of play.
Career path
Rachid Ghezzal's footballing journey began in the youth ranks of his hometown club, Olympique Lyonnais, one of France's most prominent academies. He progressed through their system, honing his skills before making his senior debut. His time at Lyon established him as a promising talent in French football, leading to a series of moves across Europe.
Olympique Lyonnais (2010–2017)
Ghezzal joined the Olympique Lyonnais academy in 2004 and signed his first professional contract in 2010. After several years in the reserve team, he made his senior debut for Lyon on 21 October 2012, coming on as a substitute in a Ligue 1 match against Brest. He gradually integrated into the first team, becoming a more regular feature in the 2015–2016 season, where he contributed with 8 goals and 8 assists in 29 Ligue 1 appearances, as detailed by his Transfermarkt performance data. He played a crucial role in Lyon's European campaigns during his tenure, featuring in both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
AS Monaco (2017–2018)
Following the expiration of his contract with Lyon, Ghezzal moved to reigning Ligue 1 champions AS Monaco on a free transfer in August 2017, signing a four-year deal. His time at Monaco saw him feature in 33 matches across all competitions, including appearances in the UEFA Champions League group stage, as documented on Wikipedia's career section for Ghezzal. Despite a relatively short stay, he contributed to the team's efforts in defending their league title.
Leicester City (2018–2021)
In August 2018, Ghezzal made a move to the English Premier League, joining Leicester City for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year contract. He made 23 appearances in his debut season for the Foxes, scoring one goal. He subsequently spent loan spells at Fiorentina in Serie A for the 2019–2020 season and Beşiktaş in the Turkish Süper Lig for the 2020–2021 season. His loan spell at Beşiktaş proved particularly successful, leading to a permanent transfer.
Beşiktaş (2021–Present)
After a highly productive loan period, Beşiktaş made Ghezzal's move permanent in July 2021. During his initial loan spell, he was instrumental in Beşiktaş winning the Süper Lig and the Turkish Cup, providing 8 goals and 17 assists in 31 league matches, a significant contribution highlighted by Transfermarkt's player statistics. Since his permanent transfer, Ghezzal has continued to be a key player for the Turkish giants, known for his consistent performances and set-piece expertise.
Playing style
Rachid Ghezzal’s playing style is characterized by his technical finesse, creative vision, and ability to operate effectively in wide attacking areas. Predominantly a left-footed player, he typically plays on the right wing, allowing him to cut inside and shoot or deliver crosses with his stronger foot. This inverted winger role is a hallmark of modern football and one that Ghezzal executes with considerable skill.
One of Ghezzal's standout attributes is his dribbling ability. He possesses close control and agility, allowing him to take on defenders in one-on-one situations and retain possession in tight spaces. His dribbling is often purposeful, aimed at creating space for a shot or a pass, rather than simply for show. This is reflected in his FBref player statistics, which often show a high number of successful dribbles per 90 minutes.
His passing range and vision are also key components of his game. Ghezzal is adept at delivering precise through balls that split defenses, as well as accurate crosses into the penalty area from wide positions. His set-piece delivery, including corners and free-kicks, is consistently a threat, often leading to goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates. This creative output is a significant part of his contribution to any team, with his assist numbers frequently among the highest for his position.
While primarily an attacking player, Ghezzal also demonstrates a decent work rate, tracking back to support his full-back and contributing to defensive phases when required. He is not a high-volume tackler, but his positional awareness helps in pressing opponents and disrupting their build-up play. He exhibits good game intelligence, understanding when to hold the ball, when to release it quickly, and where to position himself to receive passes.
Comparisons can be drawn to players who excel in similar creative wide roles, such as Riyad Mahrez or Hakim Ziyech, due to his reliance on a strong left foot, capacity for cutting inside, and excellent delivery from set-pieces and open play. Like these players, Ghezzal's impact is often measured not just in goals, but in key passes, chances created, and his overall influence on the attacking rhythm of his team.
Achievements & honours
Rachid Ghezzal has accumulated several significant team honours throughout his professional career, particularly during his impactful spells in France and Turkey. His contributions have been instrumental in securing silverware for the clubs he has represented, solidifying his reputation as a player capable of performing at a high level in competitive leagues.
Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Beşiktaş | Süper Lig | 2020–21 |
| Beşiktaş | Turkish Cup | 2020–21 |
| Beşiktaş | Turkish Super Cup | 2021 |
His most notable period of success came during his initial loan spell and subsequent permanent transfer to Beşiktaş. In the 2020–21 season, Ghezzal played a pivotal role in Beşiktaş's domestic double triumph, securing both the Süper Lig title and the Turkish Cup. His exceptional performances that season, particularly his remarkable assist tally, were critical to the club's success, as highlighted by Wikipedia's summary of the 2020–21 Süper Lig season. He followed this up by helping Beşiktaş lift the Turkish Super Cup in 2021, further cementing his place in the club's recent history.
While at Olympique Lyonnais, Ghezzal was part of teams that consistently competed at the top of Ligue 1 and in European competitions. Although he did not win a major trophy with Lyon, his development there laid the foundation for his later successes. His time at AS Monaco also saw the club compete for domestic honours and in the Champions League.
International career
Rachid Ghezzal has represented the Algeria national team at the senior level, contributing to their campaigns in various international competitions. His choice to play for Algeria, despite being born in France, underscores his strong connection to his heritage.
Ghezzal made his senior international debut for Algeria on 26 March 2015, in a friendly match against Qatar. He quickly became a regular call-up for the Desert Foxes, offering a creative outlet from midfield or the wing. His performances for his club sides have consistently earned him consideration for the national squad.
He was part of the Algeria squad that participated in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations held in Gabon. During the tournament, he featured in group stage matches, contributing to Algeria's efforts, although they were ultimately eliminated in the group stage. His involvement in such a significant continental tournament at an early stage of his international career provided valuable experience.
Throughout his international career, Ghezzal has accumulated a number of caps, featuring in World Cup qualifiers, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and various friendly matches. While he has faced strong competition for places in a talented Algerian squad, his technical ability and set-piece prowess have ensured his continued relevance. Details of his international appearances and goals can be found on resources such as FIFA's player profile for Rachid Ghezzal.
His role for the national team often involves providing width, delivering dangerous crosses, and acting as a primary set-piece taker. He has been a consistent option for various Algerian coaches, valued for his ability to unlock defenses and provide assists. Despite not being a prolific goalscorer for his country, his creative output has been a significant asset.
What makes Rachid Ghezzal stand out
Rachid Ghezzal stands out primarily due to his exceptional left foot and his comprehensive set-piece delivery. In an era where specialists are highly valued, Ghezzal's ability to take corners, free-kicks, and even direct free-kicks with precision and power makes him a unique asset. His delivery from wide areas is consistently dangerous, often finding teammates in prime scoring positions, which significantly boosts his assist numbers.
Another distinguishing trait is his ability to operate as an inverted winger. Playing on the right flank, he consistently cuts inside onto his stronger left foot, creating shooting opportunities from the edge of the box or allowing him to play intricate passes through the center. This movement pattern forces defenders to make difficult decisions, often creating space for overlapping full-backs or central midfielders. His composure in tight situations and ability to retain possession under pressure further enhance his effectiveness in this role.
His most memorable period of standout performances came during his loan spell at Beşiktaş in the 2020–21 season. His remarkable tally of 17 assists in the Süper Lig was a major factor in the club's domestic double, showcasing his playmaking capabilities on a consistent basis. This individual season highlighted his capacity to be a primary creative force in a title-winning team.
"Ghezzal's left foot is a wand. His ability to create chances from nothing, especially from dead-ball situations, makes him a threat every time he's on the pitch."