Algeria
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Rachid Mekhloufi
Sétif, Algeria
Archival Overview
Legendary Algerian striker and AS Saint-Étienne icon who sacrificed French World Cup stardom in 1958 to co-found the FLN Football Team, returning after independence to win three French league titles and coach Algeria to Gold at the 1975 Mediterranean Games.
Biographical Record
Rachid Mekhloufi (1936–2024) survived the 1945 Sétif massacre as an eight-year-old child before joining AS Saint-Étienne in 1954, scoring twenty-five goals to lead them to their first-ever French championship in 1957. A star of the French national team preparing for the 1958 World Cup, he fled France in April 1958 alongside Zitouni to join the revolutionary FLN team in Tunis.
For four years, Mekhloufi toured the world as chief attacking playmaker of the FLN squad. Following independence in 1962, he returned to Saint-Étienne, where fans welcomed him with open arms; he scored both goals in the 1968 Coupe de France final, receiving the trophy from President Charles de Gaulle, who famously told him: 'France is proud of you!' He later coached Algeria to its first AFCON title as technical director and won gold at the 1975 Mediterranean Games.
Key Life Milestones
Founding of the FLN Football Team
Escaped to Tunis to establish the FLN team, using world football as a diplomatic weapon for independence.
Gold Medal at the Mediterranean Games in Algiers
Coached the Algerian national team to a dramatic 3-2 victory over France in the final at the 5 July Stadium.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialAlgiers, Algeria