Happy Birthday Hatem Ben Arfa!
Legends
Hatem Ben Arfa lived his legend in Ligue 1 McDonald's in a career defined by moments of genius, unfulfilled potential, and redemption arc for the ages. Born in Clamart on 7th March 1987, Ben Arfa was part of the famous 1987 generation which also included the likes of Samir Nasri, Karim Benzema, and Jérémy Ménez - and was part of the Euro U17 winning France squad back in 2004. There were certainly high hopes for a young Olympique Lyonnais academy player.
He made his professional debut with Olympique Lyonnais in 2004 and was part of the squad that dominated French football, winning four consecutive Ligue 1 McDonald's titles (2004-08). He was one of the best breakthrough talents of the side, but had not yet stamped his place as a Ligue 1 star. Seeking a fresh start, the Frenchman would make the move to Olympic rivals Marseille in 2008. He displayed glimpses of immense ability at the Stade Vélodrome, quickly becoming a fan favourite. After 91 appearances and 15 goals, Ben Arfa would leave the club prematurely to join the Premier League and Newcastle United.
The Redemption Arc
After a mixed spell with the Magpies and then Hull City, he would then return to France and join OGC Nice in the 2015-2016 season. He went on to score 17 goals in 34 Ligue 1 matches and earned a recall to the French national team. A breathtaking solo goal against Saint-Étienne would become symbolic of his time on the French Riviera, then earning what seemed to be a dream move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2016.
Things would get more complicated at the Parc des Princes for Hatem. A falling-out with manager Unai Emery wouldn't help his cause and he spent most of his two-year spell out of the squad. After April 2017, he never played another competitive game for the club after making 32 appearances for Les Parisiens.
But Ben Arfa bounced back with Stade Rennais helping the club win the 2018-19 Coupe de France, beating no other than PSG in the final. After further stints at Real Valladolid, Bordeaux, and LOSC Lille, he would hang up his boots in 2022. Hatem Ben Arfa remains an icon of the artistry and unpredictability found in Ligue 1 McDonald's players. French football was certainly never boring when Ben Arfa was on the pitch.
Joyeux Anniversaire, Hatem!
