Boualem Khoukhi


Boualem Khoukhi is an Algerian born naturalised Qatari footballer. Originally a winger, he transitioned to a central midfield role and is now primarily employed as a centre-back for Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League.

Club career

Youth career

A pure product of the JSM Chéraga junior ranks, Khoukhi made his debut for the senior team in the 2009–10 season. He struggled in his first season, but his career was soon revived when Farid Zemiti was hired as the head coach of the club. He became integrated into the first team, playing alongside future Algeria international Islam Slimani, and many Algerian clubs were alleged to be interested in the services of Khoukhi, including USM El Harrach.
He soon received an offer from Al Shamal in Qatar, which he accepted. However, after landing in Qatar, Al Arabi head coach Uli Stielike believed Khoukhi had exceptional potential and offered him a trial at the club. He accepted the trial and was offered a contract deal shortly after.

Al Arabi (2009–2017)

Khoukhi soon earned a starting spot in Al Arabi's first team after his initial arrival in November 2009.
On September 5, 2010, he started for Al Arabi in the final of the 2010 Sheikh Jassem Cup against Lekhwiya, with Al Arabi winning 1–0.
He received a loan offer from Saudi club Al Ittihad on January 10, 2014 after his performances in the WAFF Championship. He also received a transfer offer from Japanese side Júbilo Iwata, a club coached by former Al Arabi coach Péricles Chamusca. These offers came after reports that Khoukhi was planning to leave Al Arabi. Shortly after allegations of planning to move to another club, he silenced the rumors by signing a contract renewal with Al Arabi.

Al Sadd (2017–present)

In July 2017, Khoukhi joined Al Sadd. In July 2019, Al-Gharafa announced signing him on a four-year deal but Al Sadd denied the transfer.

International career

Algeria

Khoukhi was born and raised in Algeria. On November 9, 2010, Khoukhi was called up for the first time to the Algeria under–23 national team for a pair of friendlies against Tunisia. The Qatar Football Association attempted to naturalize Khoukhi shortly after he arrived in Qatar, however, he refused and claimed that he would not be naturalized for any amount of money. He stated his desire was to play with the Algeria senior national team. Subsequently, he received Qatari citizenship in order to assist in his club's foreign player quota.

Qatar

Despite his call up to Algeria's olympic team, he was called up to the Qatar B team on November 13, 2013 by compatriot Djamel Belmadi. When questioned about Khoukhi's call-up to the squad, Belmadi claimed that Khoukhi was naturalized prior to his call-up in order for his team, Al Arabi, to overcome the foreign player quota. Belmadi stated he was surprised when the QFA revealed Khoukhi was eligible to be called up to the Qatar national team. He made his official debut for the team on December 25 in the 2014 WAFF Championship in a 1–0 win against Palestine.
In the next match on December 31, 2013 against Saudi Arabia, who were fielding their Olympic squad, Khoukhi scored a brace and attained an assist to give his team a 4–1 win. On January 4, 2014, Khoukhi helped Qatar, once again, netting a brace against Kuwait to send Qatar to the finals.
In the final of the 2014 WAFF Championship, Khoukhi scored another brace defeating Jordan 2–0. This would bring his final goal tally to six thus becoming the tournament's top goalscorer and being lauded by the Qatar Football Association as one of the key-men to Qatar's 2015 AFC Asian Cup campaign in the future.
In their opening match of 2019 Copa America Khouki scored in Qatar's 2–2 draw with Paraguay.

International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.31 December 2013Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar1–04–12014 WAFF Championship
2.31 December 2013Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar3–14–12014 WAFF Championship
3.4 January 2014Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar1–03–02014 WAFF Championship
4.4 January 2014Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar2–03–02014 WAFF Championship
5.7 January 2014Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar1–02–02014 WAFF Championship
6.7 January 2014Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar2–02–02014 WAFF Championship
7.6 November 2014Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar1–03–1Friendly
8.27 November 2014King Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia2–12–122nd Arabian Gulf Cup
9.3 September 2015Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar11–015–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
10.3 September 2015Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar13–015–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
11.13 October 2015Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar1–04–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
12.13 October 2015Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar3–04–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
13.10 November 2016Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar1–12–1Friendly
14.19 November 2018Kehrwegstadion, Eupen, Belgium2–22–2Friendly
15.13 January 2019Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates3–06–02019 AFC Asian Cup
16.29 January 2019Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates1–04–02019 AFC Asian Cup
17.16 June 2019Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil2–22–22019 Copa América
18.5 September 2019Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar6–06–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
19.2 December 2019Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar4–24–224th Arabian Gulf Cup

Honours

Club

;Al-Arabi
;Al-Sadd
;Qatar B
;Qatar