Nader Matar

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Nader Matar

| image = Nejmeh vs Ansar (2019-20), Nader Matar.jpg

| caption = Matar with Nejmeh in 2019

| fullname = Nader Charbel Matar{{GSA player|nader-matar/170224|access-date=25 February 2021}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|5|12|df=y}}

| birth_place = Abidjan, Ivory Coast

| height = 1.75 m

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = Ansar

| clubnumber = 14

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Alcorcón

| years1 = 2008–2009

| clubs1 = Sporting CP B

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 2009–2010

| clubs2 = Oeiras

| caps2 =

| goals2 =

| years3 = 2010–2011

| clubs3 = Atlético Madrid C

| caps3 =

| goals3 =

| years4 = 2011–2012

| clubs4 = Canillas

| caps4 =

| goals4 =

| years5 = 2012–2014

| clubs5 = Asante Kotoko

| caps5 =

| goals5 =

| years6 = 2014

| clubs6 = Beira-Mar

| caps6 = 3

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2016–2020

| clubs7 = Nejmeh

| caps7 = 60

| goals7 = 8

| years8 = 2020–2021

| clubs8 = Ansar

| caps8 = 14

| goals8 = 2

| years9 = 2021–2022

| clubs9 = Muaither

| caps9 = 6

| goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2022–

| clubs10 = Ansar

| caps10 = 40

| goals10 = 5

| nationalyears1 = 2012–2024

| nationalteam1 = Lebanon

| nationalcaps1 = 71

| nationalgoals1 = 4

| club-update = 26 May 2024

| nationalteam-update = 11 June 2024

}}

Nader Charbel Matar ({{langx|ar|نادر شربل مطر}}, {{IPA|apc-LB|ˈneːdir ˈʃarbil ˈmɑtˤɑr, ˈnæː-}}; born 12 May 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{Lebanese football updater|Ansar}} club Ansar.

Matar began his senior career in 2008 in Portugal, playing for Sporting CP B and Oeiras. He moved to Spain in 2010, where he played for Atlético Madrid C and Canillas, before moving to Ghana-based Asante Kotoko in 2012. He returning to Portugal in 2014, playing six months at Beira-Mar. Matar signed for his first Lebanese club in 2016, Nejmeh, where he won three Lebanese Elite Cups and one Lebanese Super Cup in his four-year stay. In 2020, Matar moved to cross-city rivals Ansar, helping them win their first league title in 14 years in his first season. He then moved back abroad, joining Qatar-based Muaither, before returning to Ansar in 2022.

Born in the Ivory Coast to a Lebanese father and a Moroccan mother, Matar chose to represent Lebanon internationally. He made his debut in a friendly against Iraq in 2012, and also played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Matar helped Lebanon qualify to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, where he played. His first goal came at the 2019 WAFF Championship, against Syria.

Early life

Matar was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, to a Lebanese father and Moroccan mother.{{Cite web|last=Bruchet|first=Benjamin|date=14 November 2018|title=Nader Matar, du club des enfants des stars du Real en D5 à la sélection : l'ailier aux mille vies et une histoire typiquement libanaise|url=https://www.furialiga.fr/2018/11/14/nader-matar-du-club-des-enfants-des-stars-du-real-en-d5-a-la-selection-lailier-aux-mille-vies-et-une-histoire-typiquement-libanaise/|url-status=live|access-date=25 April 2021|website=Furia Liga|language=fr-FR|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425021214/https://www.furialiga.fr/2018/11/14/nader-matar-du-club-des-enfants-des-stars-du-real-en-d5-a-la-selection-lailier-aux-mille-vies-et-une-histoire-typiquement-libanaise/}} He grew up in Angola, and played for several local clubs.

Club career

= Early career =

After playing at youth level for Alcorcón in Spain, in 2008 Matar moved to Portugal, playing one year for Sporting CP B, and one year for Oeiras.{{Cite web|last=Afiouni|first=Nadim|date=9 January 2019|title=The final 23: who are they?|url=https://lebfootballreview.com/2019/01/09/the-final-23-who-are-they/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003171428/https://lebfootballreview.com/2019/01/09/the-final-23-who-are-they//|archive-date=3 October 2020|access-date=26 July 2019|website=Lebanese Football Review|language=en}} He returned to Spain in 2010, joining Atlético Madrid C, before moving to Canillas, Real Madrid's de facto C team.{{Cite web|title=elnashrasports تجري اول لقاء مع اللاعب المدريدي الجديد في المنتخب اللبناني|url=https://www.elsport.com/news/show/61749/elnashrasports-%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84-%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Elsport News|language=ar|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428032017/https://www.elsport.com/news/show/61749/elnashrasports-%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84-%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A|url-status=live}}

Matar signed for Ghana Premier League side Asante Kotoko in 2012. In 2014 he returned to Portugal, at Beira-Mar in the Liga Portugal 2, where he was released after six months.

= Nejmeh =

On 2 September 2016, Matar moved to Lebanon and signed for Nejmeh.{{Cite web|title=رسمياً - النجمة يتعاقد مع نادر مطر|url=https://www.elsport.com/news/show/329977/%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AF-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%B1|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Elsport News|language=ar|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428014716/https://www.elsport.com/news/show/329977/%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AF-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%B1|url-status=live}} He scored one goal in 17 league games in 2016–17, helping his team win the Lebanese Super Cup and Lebanese Elite Cup.{{Soccerway|232170|access-date=25 April 2021}} He was included in the Lebanese Premier League Team of the Year. In 2017–18 Matar improved his tally, scoring four in 19, winning the Lebanese Elite Cup once again. He renewed his contract for an additional season on 28 March 2018.{{Cite web|title=نادر مطر يجدد عقده مع نادي النجمة لموسم اضافي|url=https://www.elsport.com/news/show/423367/%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%AF%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%8A|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Elsport News|language=ar|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428012107/https://www.elsport.com/news/show/423367/%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%AF%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%8A|url-status=live}}

The following season, in 2018–19, Matar scored three goals in 20 games, and helped Nejmeh win the Lebanese Elite Cup for the third time in a row. He renewed his contract for three more years on 21 March 2019.{{Cite web|title=رسميًا: نادر مطر يُجدّد عقده مع نادي النجمة|url=https://www.elsport.com/news/show/480957/%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%8B%D8%A7%3A-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D9%8F%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%91%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Elsport News|language=ar|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428012100/https://www.elsport.com/news/show/480957/%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%8B%D8%A7:-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D9%8F%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%91%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9|url-status=live}} On 25 October 2019, Matar was warned and fined by Nejmeh for throwing his kit on the floor following a substitution against Racing Beirut in a friendly.{{Cite web|date=2019-10-25|title=النجمة يعاقب نادر مطر|url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=863896|access-date=2021-04-25|website=كووورة|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425021214/https://www.kooora.com/?n=863896|url-status=live}} On 20 January 2020, Matar's contract was terminated by mutual consent following financial disputes between the two parties.{{Cite web|date=2020-01-20|title=إنهاء أزمة مطر والنجمة بالتراضي|url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=887608|access-date=2021-04-25|website=كووورة|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425021213/https://www.kooora.com/?n=887608|url-status=live}}

= Ansar =

Matar joined cross-city rivals Ansar on 21 September 2020.{{Cite web|last=Mahfoud|first=Maroun|date=2020-09-21|title=Official: Nader Matar joins Ansar FC|url=https://www.falebanon.com/official-nader-matar-joins-ansar-fc/|access-date=2020-09-21|website=FA Lebanon|language=en-GB|archive-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003091727/https://www.falebanon.com/official-nader-matar-joins-ansar-fc/|url-status=live}} In 2020–21, he helped them win their first league title since 2007, and their 14th overall.{{Cite web|date=24 April 2021|title=|script-title=ar:لقب 14 قياسي للأنصار على حساب النجمة بعد انتظار 14 سنة في بطولة كرة القدم|trans-title=A record 14th title for Ansar at the expense of Nejmeh after waiting 14 years in the football championship|url=https://bintjbeil.org/post.php?id=40039|url-status=live|access-date=24 April 2021|website=bintjbeil.org|language=ar|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424152756/https://bintjbeil.org/post.php?id=40039}} Matar scored two goals and made three assists in 14 games. He also helped Ansar win the double, scoring a long-distance goal against Nejmeh in the 2020–21 Lebanese FA Cup final, which Ansar won on penalty shoot-outs.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-12|title=بالصور: ركلات الترجيح تتوج الأنصار بالكأس|url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=1030249|access-date=2021-05-12|website=كووورة|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512212258/https://www.kooora.com/?n=1030249|url-status=live}}

= Muaither =

On 16 August 2021, Matar moved to Qatari Second Division side Muaither on a free transfer.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-16|title=رسميا.. نادر مطر ينضم إلى معيذر القطري|url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=1059003|access-date=2021-08-17|website=كووورة|archive-date=17 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817120413/https://www.kooora.com/?n=1059003|url-status=live}} He made his debut on 15 September, in a 1–0 defeat to Lusalil.{{Cite web|last=Naim|first=Anas|title=فوز الشيحانية الذي يلعب له روبرت...|url=https://www.eplworld.com/news/mjVd3qa2aNBam/foz-alshyhany-althy-ylaab-lh|access-date=2021-10-23|website=EPLWorld|language=ar|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023135816/https://www.eplworld.com/news/mjVd3qa2aNBam/foz-alshyhany-althy-ylaab-lh|url-status=live}}

= Return to Ansar =

On 17 January 2022, Matar returned to Ansar in the Lebanese Premier League, signing a contract until the end of the 2021–22 season.{{Cite web|date=2022-01-17|title=الأنصار يضم نادر مطر|url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=1104667|access-date=2022-01-18|website=كووورة|archive-date=18 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182755/https://www.kooora.com/?n=1104667|url-status=live}} He renewed his contract for two years until the end of the 2023–24 season, and once more for two years until end of 2025–26 season.https://al-akhbar.com/Sport/382485 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}

International career

File:Lebanon v Iran, 11 November 2021 30.jpg's (right) goal for Lebanon against Iran in 2021]]

Matar made his debut for Lebanon in a 1–0 home win against Iraq in a friendly on 22 January 2012.{{Cite web|title=Lebanon move into phase 2 |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Sports/Football/2012/Jan-28/161369-lebanon-move-into-phase-2.ashx#axzz1nBxazLmw|access-date=2021-04-25|website=www.dailystar.com.lb|archive-date=4 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072745/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Sports/Football/2012/Jan-28/161369-lebanon-move-into-phase-2.ashx#axzz1nBxazLmw|url-status=dead}} He was called up for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup squad, playing in all three group stage games.{{Cite web |title=AC2019 Final Squads |url=https://assets.the-afc.com/migration/a/f/afc-asian-cup-uae-2019-complete-squad-lists |access-date=25 June 2022 |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |page=19 |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004190231/https://assets.the-afc.com/migration/a/f/afc-asian-cup-uae-2019-complete-squad-lists |url-status=live }} Matar's first international goal came on 2 August 2019, in a 2–1 win against Syria at the 2019 WAFF Championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.annahar.com/article/1005266-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%BA%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A-21-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%B7%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A2%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7|title=رجال الأرز اصطادوا نسور قاسيون في كربلاء!|date=2019-08-03|website=An-Nahar|access-date=2019-08-02|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923214036/https://www.annahar.com/article/1005266-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%BA%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A-21-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%B7%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A2%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7/|url-status=live}}

Style of play

An attacking-minded midfielder, Matar's main characteristics are his dribbling and flair; he is also a set-piece specialist. Starting out as an attacking midfielder, Matar developed into a more central role during his stay at Nejmeh.

Personal life

On 9 January 2021,{{Cite web|title=لاعب الانصار يدخل القفص الذهبي|url=https://www.elsport.com/news/show/581177/%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%81%D8%B5-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%87%D8%A8%D9%8A|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Elsport News|language=ar|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428023344/https://www.elsport.com/news/show/581177/%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%81%D8%B5-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%87%D8%A8%D9%8A|url-status=live}} Matar and his Moroccan wife got married in Casablanca, Morocco.{{Cite web|title=صور.. اللاعب اللبناني نادر مطر يتزوج من فتاة مغربية|url=https://rihana.belpresse.com/art-news/5026.html|access-date=2021-04-25|website=ريحانة|language=ar|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425021214/https://rihana.belpresse.com/art-news/5026.html|url-status=live}}

Career statistics

= International =

National team	Year	Apps
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+Appearances and goals by national team and year
rowspan="13" \|Lebanon \|2012	8	0
2013	6	0
2014	0	0
2015	0	0
2016	0	0
2017	5	0
2018	6	0
2019	11	2
2020	1	0
2021	14	0
2022	4	0
2023	12	1
2024	4	1
colspan="2" \|Total !71	4

:Scores and results list Lebanon's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Matar goal.

class="wikitable sortable" \|+ List of international goals scored by Nader Matar
scope="col"\|No. !scope="col"\|Date !scope="col"\|Venue !scope="col"\|Opponent !scope="col"\|Score !scope="col"\|Result !scope="col"\|Competition
align="center"\|1 \|{{dts\|2 August 2019}} \|Karbala Sports City, Karbala, Iraq \|{{fb\|SYR\|1980}} \|align="center"\|1–1 \|align="center"\|2–1 \|2019 WAFF Championship
align="center"\|2 \|{{dts\|10 October 2019}} \|Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon \|{{fb\|TKM}} \|align="center"\|2–1 \|align="center"\|2–1 \|2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
align="center"\|3 \|{{dts\|9 June 2023}} \|Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, India \|{{fb\|VAN}} \|align="center"\|1–0 \|align="center"\|3–1 \|2023 Intercontinental Cup
align="center"\|4 \|{{dts\|11 June 2024}} \|Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar \|{{fb\|BAN}} \|align="center"\|2–0 \|align="center"\|4–0 \|2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ List of international goals scored by Nader Matar

scope="col"|No.

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Score

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|Competition

align="center"|1

|{{dts|2 August 2019}}

|Karbala Sports City, Karbala, Iraq

|{{fb|SYR|1980}}

|align="center"|1–1

|align="center"|2–1

|2019 WAFF Championship

align="center"|2

|{{dts|10 October 2019}}

|Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon

|{{fb|TKM}}

|align="center"|2–1

|2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

align="center"|3

|{{dts|9 June 2023}}

|Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, India

|{{fb|VAN}}

|align="center"|1–0

|align="center"|3–1

|2023 Intercontinental Cup

align="center"|4

|{{dts|11 June 2024}}

|Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar

|{{fb|BAN}}

|align="center"|2–0

|align="center"|4–0

|2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Asante Kotoko

Ghana Premier League: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14
Ghanaian FA Cup: 2014
Ghana Super Cup: 2012, 2013

Nejmeh

Lebanese Super Cup: 2016
Lebanese Elite Cup: 2016, 2017, 2018

Ansar

Lebanese Premier League: 2020–21
Lebanese FA Cup: 2020–21, 2023–24; runner-up: 2021–22
Lebanese Elite Cup runner-up: 2022

Individual

Lebanese Premier League Team of the Season: 2016–17{{Cite web|date=|title=مهرجان كرة المنار الـ 21 لونه "أصفر"|url=http://www.al-binaa.com/archives/article/166927|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531165725/http://www.al-binaa.com/archives/article/166927|archive-date=31 May 2019|access-date=26 February 2019|website=|language=AR}}