Ali Elkhattabi

Ali Elkhattabi (Arabic: علي الخطّابي; born 17 January 1977) is a former professional footballer. Born in the Netherlands, Elkhattabi gained 10 caps for Morocco, making his debut in 1997.

Ali Elkhattabi
Elkhattabi with AZ in 2005
Personal information
Full name Ali Elkhattabi
Date of birth (1977-01-17) 17 January 1977
Place of birth Schiedam, Netherlands
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1985–1988 vv SVDPW
1988–1990 SVV
1990–1995 Sparta
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1996 Sparta 9 (1)
1996–1998 Heerenveen 41 (12)
1999–2001 Sparta 75 (36)
2001–2005 AZ 94 (31)
2005–2006 → RBC (loan) 19 (1)
Total 238 (81)
International career
1997–2005 Morocco 10 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Elkhattabi began his professional career in the 1995–96 season with Sparta Rotterdam.[1] After one season, he moved to Heerenveen. He proved to be an efficient goalscorer in his first matches at the club, spawning interest from several top clubs in the Netherlands.[2] Three years later, Elkhattabi would, however, return to Sparta, where he scored 36 goals in 75 matches, striking up a partnership in attack with Bram Marbus.[3] His final season – 2000–01 – proved his most successful, finishing second in the Eredivisie Golden Boot with 21 goals in 33 appearances, only behind Mateja Kežman.[4] He was then signed by AZ. He stayed there for four years, before joining RBC Roosendaal on loan in 2005 after being rumored to Braga, Stoke City and Leeds United.[5][6] Elkhattabi retired in September 2006, as he was not able to find a new club after his loan with RBC had expired.[1]

Elkhattabi has a fear of flying, a condition which severely limited his ability to play in away matches in European competitions and to travel with the national team.[2]

International career

His international debut came against Togo in November 1997, and he was included in Morocco's 1998 World Cup squad.[7]

Retirement

Elkhattabi has worked as a real estate agent since his retirement from football.[2] He has since also worked as a players' agent.[3]

References
  1. "Aanvaller Elkhattabi stopt per direct". NU (in Dutch). 27 September 2006.
  2. van Wonderen, Mark (28 September 2015). "Column 'vergeten' voetbalhelden: Ali El Khattabi". www.nhnieuws.nl. NH Nieuws. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  3. "El Khattabi: Van hattrick hero tot zaakwaarnemer". Rijnmond (in Dutch). 18 November 2016.
  4. "Ali El-Khattabi » Eredivisie 2000/2001". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  5. Leeuwen, Gerrit van. "Elkhattabi in English snub". Sky Sports. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  6. "RBC praat met AZ-spits Ali Elkhattabi". Voetbal International (in Dutch). 27 July 2005.
  7. Ali Elkhattabi – FIFA competition record (archived)

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