Mourad Meghni has just returned to top-flight football after his transfer to Lazio. Read on to discover more about 'petit Zidane'...
Early YearsMourad Meghni was born on April 16th 1984 in Paris. Like Zinedine Zidane, to whom he would one day be compared, he is of Algerian extraction.Meghni began playing football with his brother Said and friends at the age of five.
Inspired by the footballing genius he saw on TV, he honed his technical skills playing in the tight, confined spaces of his Champs-sur-Marne neighbourhood.After numerous displays of exceptional skill, he was signed up by the famous Clairefontaine youth academy. He continued to excel during his time there, soon earning the tag as a bright young thing of French football.The professional clubs weren’t slow on taking an interest.
He signed his first contract with Cannes at the age of 14; as time went by, the likes of Manchester United and AC Milan cast an eye over the youngster.Cannes couldn’t hold Meghni forever, and the youngster had his pick of the continent. Impressed by the success and style of Italian clubs, he decided to join Bologna.
Rise To FameMeghni spent his first year at the Rossoblu playing in the Allevi championship for under-17 sides. He continued to impress with the youth squad and quickly graduated to the first team.However, life was soon to become much harder. In his second year at the club, the manager and his staff were sacked. As part of tne ensuing overhaul, Meghni was one of those players told that they were no longer required at Bologna.
The dejected Meghni was then set to join English side Fulham, but Bologna president Gazzoni intervened. Recognising the youngster’s talent, despite an alleged dip in attitude, the president personally convinced him to remain at the club.Meghni missed three months of the next season with a serious thigh injury. In a continuation of poor luck, a few days before he was due to return to fitness, manager Francesco Guidolin, with whom Meghni had a good relationship, left the club.
Meghni then had to work harder to keep his place in the side. Perhaps this was exactly what he needed: his increased workrate saw him become a stand-out performer.Amidst all his new-found effort, he developed a good relationship with new coach Carlo Mazzone. The then-boss helped him develop him into a more complete player.However, Bologna were struggling, finding themselves relegated in 2005.
For the 2005-06 campaign, Meghni was sent out on loan to Sochaux of the French Ligue 1 to gain more top-flight experience. He played 16 times for the mid-table side.It was back to Bologna for the following season. Mourad, buoyed by his Souchaux experience, produced his best season yet. Bologna were playing in Serie B and this gave the young Frenchman a good chance to prove himself through regular football. He made thirty-five appearances scoring two goals and providing several assists.With many pundits tipping ‘petit Zidane’ to make the step up to the top level once more, Lazio duly pounced. They proved to be the most interested club and secured Meghni on a five year deal.
Meghni will have the opportunity to become a star while playing on the biggest stage of club football, the UEFA Champions League. Should he continue his workrate, he could well be one of the tournament’s bright sparks.National TeamMourad Meghni is yet to represent his nation at senior international level. He is eligible to represent both France and Algeria, although he wishes to play for Les Bleus.
Indeed, Meghni has represented France at youth level and is likely to soon make his debut for the senior team.He certainly has international pedigree already. In 2001, Meghni was a part of the winning France team in the Under-17 World Cup, played in Trinidad and Tobago. Meghni played his best match of the tournament during the group stage in the loss to Nigeria. France went on to defeat Brazil and Argentina to reach the final where they faced Nigeria once again. Meghni played poorly in the final but France won 3-0.Meghni has also represented France at under-19 and under-21 level but, as he’s now fully grown, can only represent the senior squad.Technical SkillsMeghni is a skilfully gifted attacking midfielder. His strengths are his technique, and ability on the ball.
He is known for his playmaking ability with accurate passing, acute vision and an exceptional ability to read the game. Dictating the attack from midfield, he’s often good for some excellent assists.However, he does not score many goals himself, having only found the back of the net eight times in his professional club career. Indeed, at the beginning of his career, Meghni was known to miss a lot of simple goalscoring opportunities. Now, he prefers to boss the centre of the pitch.
Did You Know?Meghni is known as “le petit Zidane” for his similar technical ability and playing characteristics to the now-retired star.Despite his French connection, Algeria requested that he represent their national team in future World Cup qualifying campaigns. However, Meghni has stated that his ambition is to play for France.
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