Noureddine Naybet

{{short description|Moroccan footballer (born 1970)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Noureddine Naybet

| image = نور الدين النيبت (cropped).jpg

| caption = Naybet in 2019

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|2|10|df=y}}

| birth_place = Casablanca, Morocco

| height = 1.86 m

| position = Centre back

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 1989–1993

| clubs1 = Wydad Casablanca

| caps1 = 85

| goals1 = 4

| years2 = 1993–1994

| clubs2 = Nantes

| caps2 = 34

| goals2 = 1

| years3 = 1994–1996

| clubs3 = Sporting CP

| caps3 = 64

| goals3 = 5

| years4 = 1996–2004

| clubs4 = Deportivo La Coruña

| caps4 = 211

| goals4 = 11

| years5 = 2004–2006

| clubs5 = Tottenham Hotspur

| caps5 = 30

| goals5 = 1

| totalcaps = 424

| totalgoals = 22

| nationalyears1 = 1992

| nationalteam1 = Morocco U23

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| nationalyears2 = 1990–2006

| nationalteam2 = Morocco

| nationalcaps2 = 115

| nationalgoals2 = 4

| club-update =

| nationalteam-update =

| medaltemplates =

{{Medal|Country|{{fb|MAR}}}}

{{MedalComp|Africa Cup of Nations}}

{{Medal|RU|2004 Tunisia|}}

}}

Noureddine Naybet ({{langx|ar|نور الدين نيبت}}; born 10 February 1970) is a Moroccan former professional footballer who played as a central defender. He played in Spain for Deportivo de La Coruña and in Portugal for Sporting CP, as well as in France for FC Nantes and in England for Tottenham Hotspur. He is considered one of the best defenders in La Liga of his generation. Naybet spent the longest and most successful period of his career with Deportivo La Coruña in Spain's La Liga, from 1996 to 2004. He was named the 44th greatest African player of all time by the African football expert Ed Dove.{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1781781-the-50-greatest-african-players-of-all-time |title=The 50 Greatest African Players of All Time |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=25 September 2013 |access-date=26 September 2013 |archive-date=19 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619062912/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1781781-the-50-greatest-african-players-of-all-time |url-status=live }}

Naybet played a record 115 matches for the Morocco national team scoring four goals, representing the country in two World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.{{Cite web|title=Noureddine Naybet - Century of International Appearances|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/naybet-intl.html|access-date=15 January 2022|website=RSSSF|archive-date=5 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305091424/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/naybet-intl.html|url-status=live}}

Early life

Born in Casablanca on 10 February 1970, the young toddler, addicted to football, spent much of his time teasing the ball, in the streets of Derb Chorfa. Already talented and hardworking, he was quickly spotted by the Étoile de Casablanca, where he only stayed a week before joining Wydad Casablanca.{{Cite web|title=Noureddine Naybet|url=https://www.football-the-story.com/noureddine-naybet|access-date=15 January 2022|website=www.football-the-story.com|language=fr|archive-date=14 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114232103/https://www.football-the-story.com/noureddine-naybet|url-status=live}}

Club career

=Wydad=

Naybet began his professional career playing for Wydad, being part of the squads that won three Botola championships as well as the 1992 edition of the CAF Champions League.{{Cite web|title=African Club Competitions 1992|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup92.html|access-date=15 January 2022|website=RSSSF|archive-date=5 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005024025/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/afcup92.html|url-status=live}}

=Nantes and Sporting=

From 1993 to 1996 he represented FC Nantes (France) and Sporting CP (Portugal), being always an important first-team member and winning one domestic cup in each country. He played the 1995 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira in 2 legged match against Porto, the first match ended in a 0–0 tie, as-well the second match ended in a 2–2 tie. Naybet found the net in the 42nd minute. Sporting won the replay match in a 3–0 victory.{{Cite web|title=FC Porto 0-3 Sporting :: Supertaça 1995 :: Ficha do Jogo :: zerozero.pt|url=https://www.zerozero.pt/jogo.php?id=47005|access-date=15 January 2022|website=www.zerozero.pt|language=pt|archive-date=15 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115163131/https://www.zerozero.pt/jogo.php?id=47005|url-status=live}}

=Deportivo de La Coruña=

In the 1996 summer Naybet signed a four-year deal with Spain's Deportivo de La Coruña, for roughly 1.6 million.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1996/07/15/pagina-47/1449119/pdf.html|title=El Deportivo presenta a Naybet y Songo'o|trans-title=Deportivo presents Naybet and Songo’o|publisher=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=15 July 1996|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117031348/http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1996/07/15/pagina-47/1449119/pdf.html|url-status=live}} He made his La Liga debut on 31 August 1996, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 home draw against Real Madrid.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1996/09/01/pagina-21/1312889/pdf.html|title=Afortunado|trans-title=Lucky|publisher=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=1 September 1996|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117024123/http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1996/09/01/pagina-21/1312889/pdf.html|url-status=live}}

Naybet scored a career best four goals in the 1997–98 season, but the Galicians could only finish in 12th position. He was still an undisputed starter in 1999–2000 – often partnering Argentine Gabriel Schürrer – as the club conquered the first league in its history.

He won one La Liga league title in 1999–2000 La Liga,{{Cite web|title=Spain 1999/2000 (Top Three Levels)|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/span00.html|access-date=15 January 2022|website=RSSSF|archive-date=3 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803104223/https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/span00.html|url-status=live}} one Copa del Rey{{Cite web|title=Spain Cups 2001/02|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/spancup02.html|access-date=15 January 2022|website=RSSSF|archive-date=21 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721215225/https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/spancup02.html|url-status=live}} and two Spanish Super Cup.{{Cite web|title=Spain - List of Super Cup Finals|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/spansupcuphist.html|access-date=15 January 2022|website=RSSSF|archive-date=21 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521050006/http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/spansupcuphist.html|url-status=live}}

In the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League, Deportivo passed the first round qualification with ease, In the second round they were placed with Galatasaray, AC Milan, and PSG. In his first qualification match Deportivo managed to defeat PSG 3-1 with Naybet scoring the equaliser after going 1-0 down.{{Cite news|date=21 November 2000|title=PSG dumped by Deportivo|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/1032603.stm|access-date=15 January 2022|archive-date=15 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115175713/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/1032603.stm|url-status=live}} They advanced to the knockout stages and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, being knocked out by Leeds United.{{Cite web|date=4 April 2020|title=On this day: Leeds United 3-0 Deportivo La Coruña|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/26491/on-this-day-leeds-united-3-0-deportivo-de-la-coru-a|access-date=15 January 2022|website=www.leedsunited.com|language=en|archive-date=15 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115163130/https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/26491/on-this-day-leeds-united-3-0-deportivo-de-la-coru-a|url-status=live}}

In the 2001–02 UEFA Champions League, Naybet played a major role in the group stages playing in Deportivo's first match against Olympiacos which ended in a tie. They defeated Manchester United in their second match, 2–1, with Naybet scoring the winning goal in the last minute.{{Cite news|date=25 September 2001|title=Deportivo stun Man Utd|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/1560956.stm|access-date=15 January 2022|archive-date=28 December 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021228183557/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/1560956.stm|url-status=live}} They qualified top of their group and to the knockout stages, defeating Arsenal 2–0 in the round of 16.{{Cite web|title=Arsenal vs. Deportivo La Coruña - Football Match Summary - March 12, 2002 - ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/38167|access-date=15 January 2022|website=ESPN.com|language=en|archive-date=15 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115163130/https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/38167|url-status=live}} They were defeated by Manchester United in the quarter-final on a 5–2 aggregate.{{Cite web|title=UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup 2001-02|url=https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec200102.html|access-date=15 January 2022|website=RSSSF|archive-date=8 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208113937/http://www.rsssf.com/ec/ec200102.html|url-status=live}}

Naybet started in all his 13 UEFA Champions League appearances in the 2003–04 campaign,{{Cite web|title=UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup 2003-04|url=https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec200304.html|access-date=15 January 2022|website=RSSSF|archive-date=14 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714193734/https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec200304.html|url-status=live}} helping Dépor to the semi-finals of the competition. In the last-four's second leg, at home against FC Porto, he was sent off by Pierluigi Collina after two bookable offenses, and the tie ended 1–0 in favour of the Portuguese team, who later went on to win the competition.{{cite news|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2003/matches/round=1715/match=1063679/postmatch/report/index.html|title=Derlei decisive as Porto progress|publisher=UEFA|date=4 May 2004|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-date=3 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703141849/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2003/matches/round=1715/match=1063679/postmatch/report/index.html|url-status=dead}}

=Tottenham Hotspur=

On 12 August 2004, aged 34, Naybet joined Tottenham Hotspur for a reported fee of £700,000.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SPORT/08/11/spurs.naybet/index.html|title={{sic|nolink=y|Depo}}'s Naybet is set to join Spurs|publisher=CNN|date=11 August 2004|access-date=22 October 2013|archive-date=30 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730160820/http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SPORT/08/11/spurs.naybet/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/3557600.stm|title=Spurs sign Naybet|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 August 2004|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117101441/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/3557600.stm|url-status=live}} He netted his first and only goal for Spurs on 13 November, in a 5–4 North London derby loss to Arsenal at White Hart Lane.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3988131.stm|title=Tottenham 4–5 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 November 2004|access-date=17 August 2009|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801021643/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3988131.stm|url-status=live}}

After only three games in 2005–06, under new manager Martin Jol, Naybet was released and retired from football. In June 2005, however, he had renewed his contract for a further season.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/4085200.stm|title=Naybet to sign new Spurs contract|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 June 2005|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117101406/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/4085200.stm|url-status=live}}

He spent most of his 17-year professional career with Deportivo La Coruña, appearing in 284 competitive games and winning four major titles, including the 2000 national championship. He also competed in France, Portugal and England.{{Cite web|title=Top 5: The Legendary Moroccan Players in La Liga {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-ph/lists/top-5-the-legendary-moroccan-players-in-la-liga/vhv72drilk0g1pqtfuz6nrosg#cs93b750dbc08df979|access-date=15 January 2022|website=www.goal.com|archive-date=15 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115163130/https://www.goal.com/en-ph/lists/top-5-the-legendary-moroccan-players-in-la-liga/vhv72drilk0g1pqtfuz6nrosg#cs93b750dbc08df979|url-status=live}}

International career

Naybet was a Moroccan international for 16 years, gaining his first cap on 9 August 1990 in a 0–0 friendly draw in Tunisia.

He competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics.{{CN|date=July 2022}}

He proceeded to appear for his country in two FIFA World Cups, playing two games in 1994 and three in 1998 as both editions ended in group stage elimination.{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/naybet-intl.html|title=Noureddine Naybet – Century of International Appearances|publisher=RSSSF|access-date=29 May 2005|archive-date=5 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305091424/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/naybet-intl.html|url-status=live}}

Naybet played all six contests in the 2004 African Cup of Nations, helping the Atlas Lions finish second in Tunisia.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3485991.stm|title=Tunisia win Cup of Nations|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 February 2004|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-date=12 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512093436/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3485991.stm|url-status=live}} In early January 2006, five months after announcing his international retirement after falling out of favour with coach Ezzaki Badou,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4144832.stm|title=Morocco's Naybet quits|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 August 2005|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606210219/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4144832.stm|url-status=live}} he returned to the national team just ahead of the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4599968.stm|title=Naybet earns surprise Morocco call|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 January 2006|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117101104/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4599968.stm|url-status=live}}

In August 2007, Naybet was named assistant manager under Henri Michel.{{cite news|url=http://www.maghrebmagazine.nl/2007/08/20/naybet-assistent-bondscoach-henri-michel/|title=Naybet assistent-bondscoach Henri Michel|trans-title=Naybet assistant to national coach Henri Michel|publisher=Maghreb Magazine|language=nl|date=20 August 2007|access-date=22 October 2013|archive-date=23 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061804/http://www.maghrebmagazine.nl/2007/08/20/naybet-assistent-bondscoach-henri-michel/|url-status=live}}

Style of play

{{Quote box|width=31%|align=right|quote="When I was in Deportivo La Coruna, I played with 3 Moroccan players.” He added, "I played with Naybet, who for me is among the top 5 defenders I've seen in my life. He's an amazing player. I also know Salaheddine Bassir and Mustapha Hadji.

|source =—Lionel Scaloni.{{Cite web|title=سكالوني: "النيبت من بين أفضل 5 مدافعين شاهدتهم في حياتي"|url=https://www.elbotola.com/article/2019-03-25-18-15-910.html|access-date=2022-01-19|website=www.elbotola.com|language=ar}}}}

He was a well-rounded centre-back who boasted all of the physical attributes as well as the mental attributes to excel in the heart of the defence for major European sides.{{Cite web|title=African Legends Cup of Nations: Kuffour vs Naybet {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/african-legends-cup-of-nations-kuffour-vs-naybet/1o04xwlk96cp91plgiz53jqxa7#cs2923f3fe076eaf02|access-date=19 January 2022|website=www.goal.com|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404192039/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/african-legends-cup-of-nations-kuffour-vs-naybet/1o04xwlk96cp91plgiz53jqxa7#cs2923f3fe076eaf02|url-status=live}}

Personal life

A devout Muslim, Naybet observed fasting during the month of Ramadan, even when it coincided with the football season.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/3731226.stm|title=Naybet puts faith first|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 October 2004|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117095225/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/3731226.stm|url-status=live}}

Career statistics

=International=

{{updated|match played 28 January 2006}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/naybet-intl.html|title=Noureddine Naybet - Century of International Appearances|website=RSSSF|access-date=2 February 2023|archive-date=5 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305091424/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/naybet-intl.html|url-status=live}}

National teamYearAppsGoals
rowspan="17"|Morocco

|1990

40
199140
199270
199380
199470
199530
199660
199772
1998121
199970
200091
200190
200280
200360
200490
200530
2006160
colspan="2"|Total1154

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

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ List of international goals scored by Noureddine Naybet

scope="col"|No.

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Score

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|Competition

align="center"|1

| 31 May 1997

| Stade Moulay Abdellah, Rabat, Morocco

| {{fb|Ethiopia}}

| align="center"|3–0

| align="center"|4–0

| 1998 African Cup of Nations qualification

align="center"|2

| 16 August 1997

| Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco

| {{fb|Gabon}}

| align="center"|1–0

| align="center"|2–0

| 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification

align="center"|3

| 23 December 1998

| Agadir, Morocco

| {{fb|Bulgaria}}

| align="center"|1–0

| align="center"|4–1

| Friendly

align="center"|4

| 6 June 2000

| Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco

| {{fb|France}}

| align="center"|1–2

| align="center"|1–5

| Hassan II Trophy

Honours

Wydad Casablanca{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Sporting CP

Deportivo La Coruña{{Cite web|url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j2095.html|title=Naybet, Noureddine Naybet – Footballer|website=bdfutbol.com|access-date=28 October 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101200617/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j2095.html|url-status=live}}

Morocco

  • Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2004{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/04a.html|title=African Nations Cup 2004|website=RSSSF|access-date=2 February 2023|archive-date=13 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013070926/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/04a.html|url-status=live}}
  • Hassan II Trophy runner-up: 2000
  • Hassan II Trophy 3rd place: 1996

Individual

  • Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 1998
  • IFFHS All-time Africa Men's Dream Team{{cite web|url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1121|publisher=IFFHS|date=29 May 2021|access-date=31 May 2021|title=IFFHS|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603054252/https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1121|url-status=live}}
  • IFFHS All-time Morocco Men's Dream Team{{cite web|url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1722|publisher=IFFHS|date=1 March 2022|access-date=3 March 2022|title=IFFHS|archive-date=5 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305210756/https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1722|url-status=live}}
  • IFFHS CAF Men Team of the Century{{Cite web |title=IFFHS |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1073 |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=iffhs.com |archive-date=25 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025132952/https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1073 |url-status=live }}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}