Benarbia, Ali

Olympique Marseille & Algeria

Birthdate: October 8, 1968
Birthplace: Oran, Algeria
Height: 1.71 mts
Weight: 67 kgs
Position: Midfielder
International: 0 caps, 0 goals (as of July 16, 2000)
World Cups: 0
Previous Clubs: Narbonne, Bresil Martigues, AS Monaco, Girondins Bordeaux, Paris St.
Germain Transfer Fee: $3.60 Millions of Dollars
Stocky Algerian-born midfield dynamo and playmaker who helped Monaco win the championship in 1997. Arguably the best current player in France never to have been capped either by the French or his country of birth Algeria. Key figure in Bordeaux's 1998-99 title success, having struck up an instant understanding with Micoud after joining Bordeaux from Monaco in the summer of '98. Can dictate play. Has excellent vision and is a very accurate passer. Holder of dual nationality, he has turned down invitation to play for Algeria and suprisingly never been called by France.