Before the creation of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup in 1955 (renamed the Champions League in 1993), the Girondins de Bordeaux almost won the Latin Cup, a mini-tournament bringing together the champions of Spain, Portugal, Italy and France. Champion of France in 1950, for the very first time in its history, the Aquitaine team lost to Benfica after a second final (3-3, 2-1 ap). A Bordeaux midfielder had just become a French international, during a 4-1 defeat against Belgium at Heysel.
Like “the Black Pearl” Larbi Benbarek, OM star player and French international from 1938 to 1954, Mustapha Ben M’Barek was recruited in Morocco, a French protectorate until 1956, before discovering the Blues at the age of 24. Midfielder or central defender, Mustapha (he is named this way to avoid confusion with Larbi Benbarek) was an irremovable player, thanks to his great versatility, during the Girondins’ coronation in 1950. He played 33 of the 34 D1 matches and scored 8 goals.
On the Gironde side, we note the presence of certain French international players such as Jean Swiatek and René Gallice. Mustapha Ben M’Barek even wore his first, and only, international cap a week earlier during a match against Belgium. pic.twitter.com/uprfd6DUjh
— Lëag (@Leaginho)
April 28, 2020
The French international who is celebrating his 100th birthday, or not…
Mustapha Ben M’Barek played 126 games with the Girondins from 1946 to 1951, before playing for Troyes, in D2, then for Racing Paris and CA Paris until 1955, without ever returning to the French team.
Seven decades later, Mustapha Ben M’Barek is officially the dean of the Blues. Born in 1926, he is celebrating his 100th birthday on May 3, even though he is probably no longer alive. “The trace of this player has been lost for a long time”specifies thus
Girondins4Ever. The Casablanca resident returned to the country and has not been heard from for decades. Neither does his family.
