Rachad Fettal Dhimi (Arabic: رشاد فتال الدهيمي; born 16 January 2005), sometimes known as just Rachad,[1][2] is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish club Almería. Born in Spain, he is a youth international for Morocco.

Rachad Fettal
Personal information
Full name Rachad Fettal Dhimi
Date of birth (2005-01-16) 16 January 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Torre-Pacheco, Spain
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Almería
Number 28
Youth career
EF Torre Pacheco
UCAM Murcia
2020–2023 Almería
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Almería B 31 (13)
2023– Almería 10 (1)
International career
2023 Spain U18 3 (2)
2023– Morocco U20 5 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:43, 3 December 2023 (UTC)

Club career

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Born in Torre-Pacheco, Region of Murcia, Rachad joined UD Almería's youth setup in 2020, after representing UCAM Murcia CF and EF Torre Pacheco.[3][4] He made his senior debut with the reserves at the age of 16 on 31 October 2021, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–0 Tercera División RFEF home win over CD Huétor Vega.[5]

On 30 April 2022, Rachad signed a three-year contract with the Rojiblancos, with an option for a further two years.[6] He was regularly used in the Juvenil squad during the 2022–23 season,[7] helping the side to reach the finals of the Copa del Rey Juvenil and being the top scorer of the competition with five goals as they lost the final to Real Madrid.[3]

Definitely promoted to the B-team for the 2023–24 campaign,[2] Rachad scored his first senior goal on 1 October 2023, netting the equalizer in a 4–1 home loss to Juventud de Torremolinos CF.[8] He made his first team – and La Liga – debut with the club on 3 December, replacing Largie Ramazani in a 0–0 La Liga home draw against Real Betis.[1][9]

International career

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Born in Spain, Rachad is of Moroccan descent. He was called up to the Spain national under-18 team in January and April 2023,[7][10] scoring twice in three matches.

On 30 August 2023, Rachad was called up to a training camp with the under-19s,[11] but opted to represent Morocco in the following day[12] after receiving a call up from their under-20 team.[13] He was a part of the Morocco under-20 squad at the UNAF U-20 Tournament.[14]

References

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  1. ^ a b "UD Almería B youngster Rachad makes first-team debut in LaLiga EA Sports". UD Almería. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Rachad se marcha" [Rachad moves] (in Spanish). La Voz de Almería. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Rachad Fettal, máximo goleador de la Copa del Rey juvenil" [Rachad Fettal, top goalscorer of the Copa del Rey Juvenil] (in Spanish). Futbol Juvenil. 13 March 2023.
  4. ^ Kulig, Jacek (21 August 2023). "Rachad Fettal Dhimi: Almeria's new Darwin Núñez by Lions Talk". Football Talent Scout.
  5. ^ "1–0: Almeria 'B' score triumph to climb into the top of table". UD Almería. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  6. ^ García, Nico (30 April 2022). "El Almería blinda a una de las perlas de su cantera" [Almería tie up one of the pearls of their youth setup]. Diario AS (in Spanish).
  7. ^ a b "Rachad Fettal Dhimi, la revelación goleadora de la UD Almería Juvenil A" [Rachad Fettal Dhimi, the goalscoring breakthrough of UD Almería Juvenil A] (in Spanish). Radio Marca Almería. 13 May 2023.
  8. ^ "1–4: UD Almería B suffer first defeat of season to current Group IX pacesetters". UD Almería. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Liga: baptême de feu pour le Lionceau de l'Atlas Rachad Fettal avec Almeria" [League: baptism of fire for the Atlas Lion Cub Rachad Fettal with Almería]. Le360 Sport (in French).
  10. ^ "Rachad convocado con España Sub-18 para jugar dos amistosos" [Rachad called up with Spain under-18s to play two friendlies] (in Spanish). Football Federation of the Region of Murcia. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  11. ^ "El murciano Rachad Fettal Dhimi, convocado con España Sub-19" [Murcian Rachad Fettal Dhimi, called up with Spain under-19s]. Football Federation of the Region of Murcia (in Spanish).
  12. ^ "Rachad elige a Marruecos y no se concentrará con España sub-19" [Rachad chooses Morocco and will not concentrate with Spain under-19s] (in Spanish). Diario de Almería. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Rachad also called up to Morocco U20". UD Almería. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Football: L'équipe nationale U20 prend part au tournoi de l'UNAF en Tunisie" [Football: The U20 national team takes part in the UNAF tournament in Tunisia]. Hespress Français (in French). 11 November 2023.
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