44 Facts About Marouane Chamakh

Marouane Chamakh is a former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Marouane Chamakh spent nine years at the club and helped Bordeaux win the Coupe de la Ligue in 2007.

In May 2010, Marouane Chamakh joined Premier League club Arsenal on a free transfer after agreeing a four-year contract with the club.

Marouane Chamakh, who was born and raised in France, chose to play international football for Morocco due to his Moroccan parents.

Marouane Chamakh made his national team debut in July 2003 and played in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including the 2004 tournament in which Morocco finished as runners-up.

Marouane Chamakh began his football career at the age of four playing for local club Nerac FC in the nearby commune of Nerac.

In 2000, Marouane Chamakh was pursued by several professional clubs that wanted to obtain his services.

Marouane Chamakh drew interest from Lens, Toulouse, Lorient, and Bordeaux.

Marouane Chamakh eventually decided to sign with Bordeaux due to the club's infrastructure and training facilities and because of the close proximity to his family.

Marouane Chamakh was involved heavily in the campaign of the team, coached by Jean-Louis Garcia.

Marouane Chamakh appeared in 17 matches and scored six goals as the team finished first in their group, thus earning promotion to the Championnat de France amateur.

Marouane Chamakh made his professional debut on 19 January 2003 in the team's Coupe de la Ligue match against Metz.

Marouane Chamakh appeared in 14 games, always as a substitute, during the campaign.

Marouane Chamakh finished the league campaign with six goals in 25 matches.

The move was a success with Marouane Chamakh scoring ten league goals.

In September 2004, Marouane Chamakh scored goals in back-to-back matches against Bastia and Derby de la Garonne rivals Toulouse.

Under Gomes, Marouane Chamakh struggled to meet the success of his previous season scoring only 12 league goals in 58 matches over the course of two seasons.

Marouane Chamakh was later ejected from the match after committing a red card offense.

Marouane Chamakh has stated on several occasions that Blanc was an important figure in his development as a footballer.

However, when Blanc first arrived to the club, Marouane Chamakh struggled to earn meaningful minutes because Blanc preferred David Bellion, a new recruit.

Marouane Chamakh's playing time up front was further hampered by the arrival of striker Fernando Cavenaghi, who had a prolific season scoring 15 goals in only 23 appearances.

However, on 21 December 2008, Marouane Chamakh convinced Blanc to change his mind.

However, Marouane Chamakh remained firm on his stance, reiterating his commitment to Bordeaux.

Marouane Chamakh scored ten goals in league play and netted five in the Champions League, which included goals against Italian club Juventus and German club Bayern Munich in the group stage.

In Ligue 1, Marouane Chamakh appeared in all 38 matches for the first time in his career.

On 21 May 2010, Marouane Chamakh completed his move to Arsenal on a free transfer after completing his contract with Bordeaux.

Marouane Chamakh contributed to the team's equalising goal by heading a cross off the goal post, which then redirected off goalkeeper Pepe Reina and into the back of the net, resulting in an own goal.

On 21 August 2010, Marouane Chamakh scored his first Premier League goal with a header against Blackpool.

Two weeks later, Marouane Chamakh scored his second Champions League goal for Arsenal against Serbian outfit Partizan.

On 9 November 2013, Marouane Chamakh was given a standing ovation by the home fans at Selhurst Park whilst being substituted, despite not scoring, impressing with his work rate and attitude against Everton.

On 11 July 2014 it was announced that Marouane Chamakh had signed a new two-year contract with Palace.

On 13 June 2016, it was announced that Marouane Chamakh had again been released by Crystal Palace.

On 11 October 2016, Marouane Chamakh joined Championship side Cardiff City on a short-term contract.

Marouane Chamakh was released by Cardiff in December 2016 having made two appearances, both as a substitute.

On 26 May 2019, Marouane Chamakh confirmed that he retired from professional football after not playing for almost two-and-a-half years.

Marouane Chamakh was then selected within the French squad for the 2003 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, but declined the offer after being called up by Moroccan national team coach Badou Zaki for the team's 2004 African Cup of Nations qualification matches against Sierra Leone and Gabon.

Marouane Chamakh participated in the rest of the qualification matches and was later named to participate in the tournament.

Marouane Chamakh scored two goals in the competition; one against Benin in the group stage and another in the quarter-finals against Algeria.

In qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Marouane Chamakh scored three goals.

In 2008, Marouane Chamakh was selected to participate in his third consecutive Africa Cup of Nations and was held scoreless in the competition as Morocco were again eliminated in the group stage.

Marouane Chamakh was excluded from Morocco's squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, with coach Rachid Taoussi explaining that the striker had not been playing enough club football to be considered.

Marouane Chamakh was born in Tonneins, a small town near the Garonne River, to Moroccan parents, and was raised in the nearby commune of Aiguillon.

Marouane Chamakh's father, El Mostafa Chamakh, was a former footballer in Morocco and played for club Difaa Ain Sbaa in Casablanca.

Marouane Chamakh hoped to earn a Baccalaureat in accounting, which he later accomplished.