Mohamed Timoumi (Arabic: محمد التيمومي; born 10 January 1959) is a retired Moroccan professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He is best known for his performances with Wydad Athletic Club (Wydad AC) and the Morocco national team during the 1980s, and for being named the African Footballer of the Year in 1985.
Early Life and Youth Career
- Birthplace: Casablanca, Morocco.
- Timoumi grew up in the city’s Derb Sultan neighborhood, where he began playing football in local youth setups before joining the youth academy of Wydad AC.
Club Career
| Years | Club | Appearances* | Goals* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977–1986 | Wydad AC (Morocco) | — | — |
| 1986–1987 | RCD Mallorca (Spain) | 7 | 0 |
| 1987–1988 | (Loan) → Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) | — | — |
| 1988–1990 | Wydad AC (return) | — | — |
*Exact appearance and goal statistics for his early Moroccan league career are not comprehensively documented in publicly available sources.
- Wydad AC: Timoumi became a key figure in the club’s domestic dominance, contributing to multiple Botola (Moroccan league) titles and a Moroccan Throne Cup victory. His technical skill, vision, and passing ability earned him recognition as one of the league’s premier playmakers.
- RCD Mallorca: In 1986, Timoumi transferred to Spanish side RCD Mallorca, becoming one of the first Moroccan players to compete in La Liga. He made limited appearances due to adaptation challenges and injuries.
- Al‑Hilal (loan): A season-long loan to Saudi Arabian club Al‑Hilal allowed Timoumi to regain form and maintain match fitness before returning to Wydad AC.
International Career
- Morocco National Team (1979–1990)
- Caps: 57 (official matches)
- Goals: 4
Timoumi debuted for the senior national team in 1979. He was a central figure in Morocco’s successful 1985 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, where the team finished as runners‑up to Cameroon. His performances throughout the tournament were instrumental in Morocco’s strong showing and contributed to his selection as African Footballer of the Year.
He also represented Morocco at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, featuring in the group‑stage matches. Morocco finished top of its group, becoming the first African nation to advance to the knockout stage of a World Cup, though Timoumi’s playing time was limited due to tactical decisions and minor injuries.
Awards and Honors
- African Footballer of the Year (1985) – Awarded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for his outstanding performances in club and international competition.
- Botola (Moroccan League) Champion: Multiple titles with Wydad AC (1978, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1989).
- Moroccan Throne Cup: Winner with Wydad AC (1990).
- AFCON Runner‑up: 1985 with the Morocco national team.
Post‑Playing Career
After retiring from professional football in the early 1990s, Timoumi has remained involved in Moroccan football as a mentor and occasional analyst. He has participated in youth development programs and served as an ambassador for several charitable initiatives focused on sports education.
Legacy
Mohamed Timoumi is regarded as one of Morocco’s most talented midfielders of the modern era. His 1985 African Footballer of the Year award marked a milestone for North African players on the continental stage. Timoumi’s technical proficiency and vision are frequently cited by subsequent generations of Moroccan footballers as an inspirational benchmark.
References
- Confederation of African Football (CAF) archives – African Footballer of the Year 1985.
- Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) – Player statistics and national team caps.
- Historical match reports from the 1985 African Cup of Nations and 1986 FIFA World Cup.
- Club records from Wydad Athletic Club and RCD Mallorca.
Note: Specific match appearance figures for Moroccan domestic leagues in the 1970s and 1980s are not fully digitized, leading to gaps in comprehensive statistical records.
