{"id":68410,"date":"2023-01-20T18:18:40","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T17:18:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jazairhope.org\/?p=68410"},"modified":"2023-01-20T18:18:40","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T17:18:40","slug":"i-just-love-playing-the-48-year-old-algerian-back-on-french-footballs-biggest-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jazairhope.org\/en\/i-just-love-playing-the-48-year-old-algerian-back-on-french-footballs-biggest-stage\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018I just love playing\u2019 \u2013 The 48-year-old Algerian back on French football\u2019s biggest stage"},"content":{"rendered":"

The man thought to be the oldest outfield player in a major European league system is lacing up his boots for one of the biggest games of his (very) long career.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Because, even at the age of 48, Nassim Akrour is still finding ways to make an impact.<\/span><\/p>\n

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On 8 January, the striker, who plies his trade for Chambery Savoie Football in the fifth tier of French football, made a substitute appearance in a French Cup tie at fourth-tier Aubagne.<\/span><\/p>\n

Five minutes into his cameo, he sprinted down the touchline and served up a perfect pass for fellow striker Jordan Scarantino to shoot Chambery into a decisive 3-1 lead.<\/span><\/p>\n

That victory set up a last-32 clash with five-time winners and regular Uefa Champions League contenders Olympique Lyonnais on 21 January.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I played in Ligue 1, but for a lot of the younger kids playing against a Ligue 1 side is new so there’s a lot of euphoria and everyone is happy to prepare for this match,” the former Algeria international told BBC Sport Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The Coupe de France is beautiful.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“It gives you the possibility of winning a trophy and playing in the Stade de France, and I can attest to the emotion that it gives supporters, a city, players and families.”<\/span><\/p>\n

A mainstay of French football<\/h3>\n

Although he played only three seasons France’s top division, Ligue 1, Akrour is well known across the French football landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n

He holds the rare distinction of being the all-time top goalscorer for two separate clubs: FC Istres and Grenoble Foot 38.<\/span><\/p>\n

He has also appeared in all of France’s top five divisions – a feat he never thought would be possible when he first began playing football for fun with friends in the 1980s.<\/span><\/p>\n