Islam Slimani
Who was Islam Slimani?
Striker who has played for Leicester City, Newcastle United, and AS Monaco, serving as a key player for Algeria's national team.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Islam Slimani (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Islam Slimani, born on June 18, 1988, in Algiers, is a standout Algerian footballer known for his striking skills. He is Algeria's leading goalscorer and one of the country's top football exports, having played both at home and internationally. Slimani has contributed significantly to various European clubs and excelled with the Algerian national team.
He started his career in Algeria with JSM Chéraga and CR Belouizdad, and in 2013, he moved to Europe with Sporting CP in Portugal. Over three seasons, he became a reliable goalscorer and helped the team win the Taça de Portugal in 2015. His success in Portugal led Premier League team Leicester City to sign him in 2016 for a then club-record £28 million.
After initial success at Leicester City, Slimani's career saw him move frequently, with loan spells and short-term deals at Newcastle United, Fenerbahçe, and AS Monaco before a permanent move to Lyon in 2021. He later had brief periods with various clubs, including another stint at Sporting CP, Brest, Anderlecht, Coritiba, and Mechelen. In 2024, he returned to CR Belouizdad in Algeria and then went on loan to Westerlo in 2025.
Internationally, Slimani has been a key player for Algeria since his debut in 2012. He competed in five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (2013, 2015, 2017, 2021, and 2023), playing a vital role in Algeria's 2019 win. His international career also includes the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he was joint top scorer for Algeria with two goals. With more than 100 international matches and 45 goals, Slimani is Algeria's top goalscorer, securing his place as one of the nation's best footballers.
Before Fame
Growing up in Algiers during the 1990s and early 2000s, Slimani saw Algerian football gaining international recognition again. This time saw more investment in youth development and infrastructure, giving talented young players a chance to pursue professional careers. During this period, Algeria's football scene was becoming more connected to European leagues, especially in France due to historical ties, which gave promising players opportunities to develop their skills abroad.
Slimani started in Algeria's domestic football system with JSM Chéraga and then moved to CR Belouizdad. This was when Algeria began to shine internationally again, including qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup after 24 years. The success of Algerian players in European leagues during the late 2000s and early 2010s set an example for young talents like Slimani, highlighting the importance of moving to European clubs to develop at the highest level.
Key Achievements
- Algeria's all-time leading goalscorer with 45 international goals
- Winner of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria
- Taça de Portugal winner with Sporting CP in 2015
- Over 100 international caps for Algeria
- Joint top scorer for Algeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup with 2 goals
Did You Know?
- 01.His transfer to Leicester City in 2016 made him the most expensive African player at the time with a £28 million fee
- 02.He scored crucial goals during Algeria's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations victory, including in the semifinal against Nigeria
- 03.Slimani has played professional football on four different continents: Africa, Europe, South America, and has trained in Asia during his time with Fenerbahçe
- 04.During his time at Sporting CP, he formed a prolific partnership with Gelson Martins and Bruno Fernandes in attack
- 05.He became the first Algerian player to score in three different editions of the Africa Cup of Nations spanning a decade