Farid Chaâl (Arabic: فريد شعال; born 19 May 1994) is an Algerian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 club ASO Chlef. He has also represented Algeria at various youth levels, including the Olympic team.
Early Life and Career Born in Béni Douala, Tizi Ouzou Province, Algeria, Chaâl began his footballing journey in the youth ranks before joining the prestigious MC Alger academy. He quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing promising talent as a goalkeeper.
Club Career
MC Alger Chaâl made his senior debut for MC Alger, one of Algeria's most prominent clubs, in 2014. He spent a significant portion of his early professional career with MC Alger, becoming a notable figure for the club in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 and representing them in continental competitions like the CAF Champions League.
USM Blida (loan) During the 2015–2016 season, Chaâl was loaned to USM Blida, where he gained valuable first-team experience and regular playing time.
Al-Qadsiah In August 2022, Chaâl ventured abroad, signing with Saudi First Division League club Al-Qadsiah. He spent one season with the Saudi side, experiencing a different footballing environment.
ASO Chlef After his spell in Saudi Arabia, Chaâl returned to Algeria, joining ASO Chlef in 2023.
International Career
Youth National Teams Farid Chaâl has been a prominent member of Algeria's youth national teams.
- 2015 African Games: He was part of the Algerian U-23 squad that secured a silver medal at the 2015 African Games held in Brazzaville, Congo.
- 2016 Summer Olympics: His most significant youth international achievement came with his participation in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Chaâl served as the starting goalkeeper for Algeria in the football tournament, featuring in all three group stage matches against Honduras, Argentina, and Portugal.
Senior National Team Chaâl has received call-ups to the senior Algeria national team, often serving as a backup goalkeeper. While he has been part of several national team squads, competitive appearances at the senior level have been limited due to the strong competition for the goalkeeping position.
Honours
Club
- MC Alger
- Algerian Cup: 2015–16
International
- Algeria U-23
- African Games: Silver medal 2015
References
- [Source 1: Player profile on soccerway.com or similar statistics site]
- [Source 2: News articles covering transfers or international call-ups]
- [Source 3: Olympic Committee archives for 2016 Games]