1. Baghdad Saddam Bounedjah is an Algerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Qatar Stars League club Al-Shamal and the Algeria national team.
23 Facts About Baghdad Bounedjah
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Baghdad Bounedjah made his senior debut for Algeria in 2014 and has represented his nation at the 2016 Summer Olympics, and four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations; he was a member of the squad that won the 2019 tournament, scoring the winning goal in the final.
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Baghdad Bounedjah started his career in his native city with RCG Oran when he played in the all youth categories until he arrives in senior in 2009 when he played two seasons.
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In June 2013, Baghdad Bounedjah joined with the club of Sousse, Etoile Sportive du Sahel, with which he signed a three-year contract.
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Baghdad Bounedjah quickly became an essential part of the ES Sahel, and finished top scorer in the 2014 Tunisian Professional League 1 in his first year, scoring 14 goals in 23 games.
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On 11 August 2013, Baghdad Bounedjah, won his first title with Etoile du Sahel.
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On 29 April 2015, Baghdad Bounedjah moved to Qatar's Al Sadd, but he remained at Etoile du Sahel for a six-month loan period.
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Ankle injury which kept him out for nearly three months On 7 March 2016, He made his debut for the team in Qatar Stars League against Al-Gharafa, later Baghdad Bounedjah scored the winning goal against Al-Kharaitiyat his first goal with the club.
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Baghdad Bounedjah continued his success at the individual level by winning the top scorer of the 2018 AFC Champions League with 13 goals to become the first Algerian and the first player from a Qatari club to achieve this award.
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Baghdad Bounedjah said that, "if I get an offer from a good club I will leave Al Sadd but if it's the opposite I'll stay here".
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Baghdad Bounedjah is the first Algerian to have scored a total of 50 goals in a year and far ahead of his teammates in the selection Islam Slimani or Riyad Mahrez and even Nacer Bouiche who had exceeded 40 goals in 1986 with JS Kabylie.
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On 28 December 2018, Baghdad Bounedjah decided to renew his contract until 2024 despite the offers he received from several European clubs.
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Baghdad Bounedjah is the first footballer based outside Europe and Algeria to win the award.
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On 23 February 2019, Baghdad Bounedjah scored in the Qatari Classico against Al-Rayyan, bringing his tally with Al Sadd to 100 goal in all competitions, making him the first Algerian player based outside of Europe to claim this accolade with a single club.
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On 4 April 2019, Baghdad Bounedjah scored his sixth hat-trick of the season against Al-Ahli to lead Al Sadd SC to win their first Qatar Stars League title in six seasons, is the first league title for Baghdad Bounedjah in its history.
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Baghdad Bounedjah ultimately scored a tournament-high three goals as Al-Sadd ended sixth.
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The start of the season was late due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar and from the tournaments that have been postponed to this season the 2020 Emir of Qatar Cup, Baghdad Bounedjah led his club to win the title where he scored the two winning goals in the final against Al-Arabi which is his second title in the same competition.
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On 23 December 2020, Baghdad Bounedjah scored the 100th goal in the Qatar Stars League by scoring the winning goal against Al-Rayyan.
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On 26 February 2021, in the final of the Qatar Cup, Baghdad Bounedjah scored twice in Al Sadd's win over Al-Duhail.
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Baghdad Bounedjah ended the season as the league's top scorer, with 21 goals; it was his third time winning the QSL golden boot.
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In September 2011, Baghdad Bounedjah was called by Azzedine Ait Djoudi up to the Algeria under-23 national team.
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Baghdad Bounedjah participated with the team in a pair of friendlies against USM Blida and NA Hussein Dey.
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On 4 October 2011, Baghdad Bounedjah received a surprise call-up to the Algeria national team from Vahid Halilhodzic for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Central African Republic, replacing the injured Rafik Djebbour.