Mohammed Ghaddar


Mohammed Mahmoud Ghaddar is a Lebanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta'zim II.

Club career

Nejmeh

Ghaddar started his career with Nejmeh in 1998 as a 14-year-old. After graduating from the youth academy he made his first-team debut two years later and was a member of the squad that claimed the 1999–00 season title, which was the club's first Lebanese Premier League title for over 20 years. Over the course of the decade Ghaddar went on to claim another four league titles and pick up successive league top-scorer awards while cementing his reputation as one of Lebanon's finest strikers.

Al Shabab

Ghaddar signed for Bahraini Premier League side Al-Shabab for the 2009–10 season. On 18 March 2010 Ghaddar scored his first goal for Al-Shabab in a 3–1 win over Muharraq. Two weeks later he scored a double against Busaiteen in a 3–1 away win on 2 April. On 15 May, Ghaddar scored his second league double in a 2–1 win against Malkiya. His five goals in six games at the end of the 2009–10 season helped the club stave off relegation to the second division.

Al Ahly

Ghaddar signed a four-year-contract with Egypt's Al Ahly for the 2010–11 Egyptian Premier League season, become the first Lebanese player to sign for the Egyptian team. Ghaddar debuted for Al Ahly on 6 August 2010 in a 0–0 draw with Ittihad El-Shorta where he was substituted onto the field for Mohamed Talaat on 76 minutes. He made one appearance for Al Ahly during the 2010 CAF Champions League group stage on 12 September 2010 in a 2–1 win against Nigerian side Heartland F.C. where he was substituted onto the field for Mohamed Fadl on 76 minutes. Ghaddar was released by the club after just six months of his handful of appearances.
Mohammed joined the Syrian club, Tishreen SC for the 2010/11 season, but Mohammed eventually joined Al-Jaish SC Damascus on the same year.

Kelantan

Mohammed officially joined the 2011 Malaysia Super League champion and 2011 FA Cup Runners-Up, Kelantan FA on November 8, 2011, signing a 2-year contract with the club. The club is located in East Coast of Malaysia and playing in the 2012 AFC Cup.
After his duty with the national team, he officially joined Kelantan on 29 December 2011 and made his first appearance with the club and also scored his first goal at the same time in a 3–1 win against Perak FA during a pre season friendly match, scoring through a penalty in the 90th minute.
He started the season scoring 2 goals in 6 appearances, both with penalties. However, he was deregistered for Kelantan's Super League squad in February, replaced by Onyekachi Nwoha. After his impressive performance in 2012 AFC Cup, scoring 6 times in 4 appearances, he was re-registered for Kelantan Super League squad in April, at the expense of Nwoha's place. He scored on his return to Super League against PBDKT T-Team FC, again with a penalty in a 2–1 win on 17 April 2012.
Ghaddar wins his first title with Kelantan, when he helps Kelantan to win the Malaysia FA Cup for the first time, by beating Sime Darby F.C. 1–0 in the final on 19 May 2012. He scored the only goal in the final, converting a penalty in the 58th minute.
Ghaddar became an internet sensation in May 2012 after an attempted piece of footwork was widely derided.

FELDA United

Mohammed Ghaddar had refused to extend his contract with Kelantan FA. However, he signed a one-year contract with FELDA United FC. He made goal in his debut, which helped his club draw 1–1 against Terengganu FA in the opening match.
During March 2013, Ghaddar have experienced back injury and unable to play for his team. FELDA decided to replace him and signed a new foreigner player during April transfer window.

Kelantan

2014 season

Ghaddar made a return to Malaysia Super League after signing a two years contract with his former club, Kelantan FA. Previously, he had played with Felda United but he was released due to his injury. He scored a brace in his return against PKNS Selangor during the opening day of the 2014 season which Kelantan won 2–1. On 23 April, his contract was terminated by Kelantan FA.

2017 season

Ghaddar re-sign for the third time with Kelantan FA after he was unveiled as one of their new import player on 15 January 2017. He scored 18 goals in 11
matches for kelantan before decide to move to JDT. He scored 2 goals during his 2017 season debut against PKNS.

Johor Darul Ta'zim

After much speculation about his future, on 16 May 2017 Johor Darul Ta'zim announced that they had reached an agreement for the transfer of Ghaddar for an undisclosed fee. However it was reported that Ghaddar had cost around RM 1,000,000 to RM 5,000,000 and he was reported to be paid from RM 170,000 to RM 200,000 monthly which will make him the highest wage receiver in Malaysia football history. Ghaddar made his debut for Johor Darul Ta'zim in a 1–0 win over PKNS and provided the assist for the winning goal of the match on 24 May 2017.
Ghaddar scored his first goal for Johor Darul Ta'zim in a 2–0 home win over Penang on 1 July 2017. On 15 July 2017, Ghaddar scored two goals in five games as his club defeated Sarawak 3–1. He then scored another two goals on 22 July 2017 against T-Team and on 26 July 2017 against Perak. Ghaddar has concluded his performance with 5 goals in 10 league appearances for Johor Darul Ta'zim.
On November 2017, Melaka United has showed their interest in getting Ghaddar for a season-long move. On 22 November 2017, Ghaddar has rejected Melaka United offered. He has been released from the club after the 2017 season ends.

Return to Kelantan

On 12 February 2018, Ghaddar returns to Kelantan for the fourth time before the transfer window closed on 11 February as he replaces Morgaro Gomis who reportedly being injured. Ghaddar made his debut for Kelantan in 3–2 win over Perak on 24 February 2018 at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium. After suffering ACL injuries and loss of form, his contract was terminated by mutual consent on May the same year.

Johor Darul Ta'zim II

Ghaddar made his debut for Malaysian Premier League side Johor Darul Ta'zim II, the reserve team of Johor Darul Ta'zim, in 2–1 win over Sabah on 2 February 2019, scoring a header to equalize the game.

International career

Mohammed played for the Lebanon national under-20 football team alongside national teammates Ali El Atat and Ramez Dayoub.
During the qualification for the 2004 Summer Olympics, Ghaddar was part of the Lebanese under-23 team that made it to the final round of the Asian qualifiers.
Mohammed Ghaddar made his debut for the national team in 2006.
He also was called up by Lebanon's head coach, Theo Bucker for the 2012 Arab Nations Cup. He shows a good performance in 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification with help Lebanon a marvelous return.
On 8 September 2014 he scored a historic goal over the Brazil's Olympic team in a 2–2 draw.
On 12 June 2017, Ghaddar refused a call-up to the national team for a match against Malaysia, where he was playing his club football. He has not appeared for the national team since.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
127 January 2006Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia1–02–1Friendly
224 December 2006Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon1–04–02009 Arab Nations Cup qualification
324 December 2006Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon2–04–02009 Arab Nations Cup qualification
48 October 2007Saida International Stadium, Sidon, Lebanon2–14–12010 FIFA World Cup qualification
58 October 2007Saida International Stadium, Sidon, Lebanon4–14–12010 FIFA World Cup qualification
630 October 2007Fatorda Stadium, Margao, India1–12–22010 FIFA World Cup qualification
730 October 2007Fatorda Stadium, Margao, India2–12–22010 FIFA World Cup qualification
82 January 2008Thamir Stadium, Salmiya, Kuwait1–02–3Friendly
99 April 2008Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon4–04–02011 AFC Asian Cup qualification
1027 May 2008Thani bin Jassim Stadium, Doha, Qatar1–01–2Friendly
117 June 2008King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia1–21–22010 FIFA World Cup qualification
1217 August 2011Saida International Stadium, Sidon, Lebanon2–12–3Friendly
136 September 2011Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon1–13–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
1427 May 2012Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman1–01–1Friendly
1515 October 2013Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon1–11–12015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
165 March 2014Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand1–05–22015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
1724 May 2015Saida International Stadium, Sidon, Lebanon2–22–2Friendly
1816 June 2015New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos1–02–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
1928 March 2017Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon1–02–02019 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Controversy

League match controversy

On 12 June 2012, Mohd Amri Yahyah and Mohd Bunyamin Omar have physically attacked Kelantan's Lebanese player Mohammed Ghaddar in a Malaysian Super League match at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Bharu. During the game, Ghaddar was left in agonizing pain after Mohd Amri Yahyah unsportingly punched his private parts. Ghaddar took a few minutes to recover as he lay on the ground.
Based on the incident, Selangor's Amri Yahyah and Bunyamin Omar have been handed three match suspensions and fined RM 1,500 each while Ghaddar was handed one match suspension and fined RM 2,000 by the Disciplinary Committee of the Football Association of Malaysia.

Kelantan FA controversy

Mohammed Ghaddar was brought to the disciplinary committee Kelantan FA after he failed to report to the team on August 5, 2012, for their 2012 Malaysia Cup campaign that begins on 22 August 2012. He just arrived on 16 August 2012 when he returns to his country to get married after the 2012 Malaysia Super League ended on 14 July 2012.

Honours and achievements

The Lebanese national team's technical unit has honored Nejmeh striker Mohammed Ghaddar for being the top scorer at the 2007 AFC Cup. National team coach Emile Rustom presented Ghaddar the golden boot during a ceremony at the Meridien Commodore hotel in Beirut.

Club

Nejmeh
Al Ahly
Kelantan
Johor Darul Ta'zim
Johor Darul Ta'zim II
Performances