Abdelhamid El Kaoutari
Encyclopedia
Abdelhamid El Kaoutari is a Moroccan
footballer. He currently plays for the French club Montpellier
in Ligue 1
.
and has been with his hometown club since childhood joining as a youth player. While in the club's youth academy, known as Centre de Formation de La Paillade, he helped the Montpellier under-19 team win the 2008–09 edition of the Coupe Gambardella
. After successfully passing through La Paillade, El Kaoutari was allowed to train with the senior team alongside fellow youth teammate Mickaël Nelson
. He made his professional debut on 12 May 2008 in a Ligue 2
match against Gueugnon
. El Kaoutari appeared as a substitute in the 65th minute. Montpellier won the match 2–1.
For the 2008–09 season, El Kaoutari featured regularly in the Coupe Gambardella
and the Coupe de France
. He started both Montpellier's Coupe de France victories over amateur club Saint-Flour
and third-tier
club Cannes
. Both matches went into extra time. El Kaoutari also appeared in four league matches, which included three straight matches late in the season, while Montpellier were in the midst of a promotion battle. Montpellier did, indeed, achieve promotion to Ligue 1
. El Kaoutari was given a more prominent role in the squad for the 2009–10 Ligue 1
season. After appearing early on as a substitute, by November, El Kaoutari became a staple in the starting eleven, usually starting in the left back position.
. He was a late participant to the team making his debut during the Elite Round
portion of qualification for the 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
. El Kaoutari was later selected to play in the tournament and featured in all four matches with France suffering elimination in the semi-finals losing 3–1 to England
. El Kaoutari played his first match for Morocco
on 4 June 2011 against Algeria
(4–0).
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
footballer. He currently plays for the French club Montpellier
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
in Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
.
Football career
El Kaoutari was born in MontpellierMontpellier
-Neighbourhoods:Since 2001, Montpellier has been divided into seven official neighbourhoods, themselves divided into sub-neighbourhoods. Each of them possesses a neighbourhood council....
and has been with his hometown club since childhood joining as a youth player. While in the club's youth academy, known as Centre de Formation de La Paillade, he helped the Montpellier under-19 team win the 2008–09 edition of the Coupe Gambardella
Coupe Gambardella
The Coupe Gambardella is a French football cup competition held between the under-19s of the French football clubs, organized by the French Football Federation ....
. After successfully passing through La Paillade, El Kaoutari was allowed to train with the senior team alongside fellow youth teammate Mickaël Nelson
Mickaël Nelson
Mickaël Nelson is a French footballer currently playing for SV Babelsberg 03. His family hails from the island of Réunion.-Football career:...
. He made his professional debut on 12 May 2008 in a Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
match against Gueugnon
FC Gueugnon
Football Club Gueugnonnais was a French association football club based in Gueugnon. The club was formed in 1940 and played in the Championnat National, the third level of French football, before entering liquidation in April 2011. Gueugnon played its home matches at the Stade Jean Laville...
. El Kaoutari appeared as a substitute in the 65th minute. Montpellier won the match 2–1.
For the 2008–09 season, El Kaoutari featured regularly in the Coupe Gambardella
Coupe Gambardella
The Coupe Gambardella is a French football cup competition held between the under-19s of the French football clubs, organized by the French Football Federation ....
and the Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
. He started both Montpellier's Coupe de France victories over amateur club Saint-Flour
Saint-Flour
Saint-Flour is the name or part of the name of several communes in France:* Saint-Flour, Cantal, in the Cantal département* Saint-Flour, Puy-de-Dôme, in the Puy-de-Dôme département* Saint-Flour-de-Mercoire, in the Lozère département...
and third-tier
Championnat National
The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
club Cannes
AS Cannes
Association Sportive de Cannes Football is a French association football club based in Cannes. The club was formed 1902 as a sports club and currently play in the Championnat de France amateur, the fourth division of French football. Cannes plays its home matches at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin...
. Both matches went into extra time. El Kaoutari also appeared in four league matches, which included three straight matches late in the season, while Montpellier were in the midst of a promotion battle. Montpellier did, indeed, achieve promotion to Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
. El Kaoutari was given a more prominent role in the squad for the 2009–10 Ligue 1
2009–10 Ligue 1
The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated...
season. After appearing early on as a substitute, by November, El Kaoutari became a staple in the starting eleven, usually starting in the left back position.
International career
El Kaoutari has featured with the France under-19 teamFrance national under-19 football team
The France national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. They were the 2010 champions of the competition having won on home soil...
. He was a late participant to the team making his debut during the Elite Round
2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification
The Elite Round of the 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship is the second round of qualification. The winners of each group join hosts Ukraine at the Final Tournament.-Group 1:---------------------Group 2:------------...
portion of qualification for the 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Bracket:-Semi-finals:---------Final:-Top goalscorers:4 goals Nathan Delfouneso3 goals Henri Lansbury Danijel Aleksić Denys Harmash-External links:*...
. El Kaoutari was later selected to play in the tournament and featured in all four matches with France suffering elimination in the semi-finals losing 3–1 to England
England national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
. El Kaoutari played his first match for Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
on 4 June 2011 against Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
(4–0).