AS Monaco retraces the journey in the Principality of Ali Benarbia, described as “Algerian maestro of the 1997 generation”he is the playmaker “with above-average technique and an exceptional ball provider”. Spotted by FC Martigues in Narbonne (native of Oran, he grew up in Aude), the midfielder shone in D2. He played 279 matches with the Martégale team (!) before being hired, free, by ASM in 1995.
Courted by Jean Tigana, then OL coach, Benarbia said yes to the Monegasque leaders to join the Rock and saw Tigana arrive in Monaco immediately. First helmed by Enzo Scifo, the Algerian international exploded after the departure of the Belgian number 10, being the playing master of a very good team crowned champion of France in 1997, with Fabien Barthez, Franck Dumas, Martin Djetou, Emmanuel Petit, Thierry Henry and the scorer Sonny Anderson.
Ali Benarbia with Fabien Barthez at AS Monaco.
Benarbia stands out during ASM's two excellent runs on the European scene. He scored a double against Newcastle in the quarter-final second leg of the UEFA Cup (3-0 victory in England), before the elimination against Inter Milan (3-1 defeat in the first leg). The following year, in the Champions League, AS Monaco defeated Manchester United in the quarterfinals. On a serve from Ali Benarbia, David Trezeguet scored strongly in the return match at Old Trafford (1-1).
AS Monaco is experiencing a nightmarish C1 semi-final first leg with a 4-1 defeat against Zinédine Zidane's Juventus. The playmaker of the French team, a few months before the 98 World Cup, obtained a penalty on one of Alessandro Del Piero's three goals and scored the fourth Turin goal for his friend Fabien Barthez. The 3-2 victory at Louis-II is insufficient.
Benarbia champion of English D2
Interviewed by the Monegasque club website, Ali Benarbia also remembers the incredible atmosphere in the group: “We often met at the Café de Paris, at the Casino to have fun, or to have a bite to eat together. At the end of the matches, the same! No one went home after the plane, we all went to the Tip Top restaurant in Monaco. We watched the match summaries together in front Téléfoot. We also met at La Turbie to have a croissant for breakfast, even if Jeannot Tigana didn't really like it I think (smile) ! With Madar, Di Meco… we got along well! We may have spent less time at the training center than today, but we had the chance to see each other and enjoy moments together outside. Because we were having fun! »
At the peak of his career at the age of 29, Benarbia joined the Girondins de Bordeaux and formed a magnificent quartet with Johan Micoud, Sylvain Wiltord and Lilian Laslandes until the 1999 title, obtained at the last minute at the expense of OM. Voted best player in D1, the playmaker was recruited by PSG at the same time as Nicolas Anelka, but the season was catastrophic. The Parisians even lost in the final of the Coupe de la Ligue against Gueugnon! Le Fennec offers himself an adventure in England, at Manchester City, where he is champion of D2 by being elected best player of the season.
