Ibrahim Afellay (born 2 April 1986 in Utrecht) is a Dutch footballer of Moroccan descent (Rif region, Al Hoceima city) playing for PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie. He has played for the Dutch national youth team and is now part of the senior Dutch national team, who he represented at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He usually plays as the centre attacking midfielder for PSV Eindhoven but can also play at either Wings due to his pace and creative qualities. In 2007, Afellay was awarded the Johan Cruijff Award for “Young Player of the Year” in the Netherlands. He will move to Spanish club Barcelona in January 2011.
Early career
Afellay started his footballing career at USV Elinkwijk in Utrecht. In 1996 he switched to the youth academy of PSV. Afellay’s official debut for PSV was on 4 February 2004 during a cup match against NAC Breda at the age of 17. His debut in the competition was on 14 February, against Twente. In the 2003–04 season he played three official games, and seven more in the 2004–05 season.
On 15 May 2005, PSV played a game against Feyenoord. Afellay was a part of the starting lineup, and made a great impression with two goals.
Early careerAfellay started his footballing career at USV Elinkwijk in Utrecht. In 1996 he switched to the youth academy of PSV. Afellay’s official debut for PSV was on 4 February 2004 during a cup match against NAC Breda at the age of 17. His debut in the competition was on 14 February, against Twente. In the 2003–04 season he played three official games, and seven more in the 2004–05 season.
On 15 May 2005, PSV played a game against Feyenoord. Afellay was a part of the starting lineup, and made a great impression with two goals.
Breakthrough
In the 2005–06 season he played games in the Johan Cruijff-schaal and the first three competition games. Because of the absence of DaMarcus Beasley and Mika Vayrynen he always started in the line-up.
On 13 September, Afellay made his Champions League debut against Schalke 04. PSV won the game 1–0. On 8 October, Dutch coach Marco van Basten took Afellay into the full national team during the games against the Czech Republic and Macedonia, though he did not play.
In the 2005–06 season, following the departure of important players including midfielders Johann Vogel and Mark van Bommel, Afellay grew to be a first-team regular, and was even pre-selected for the Dutch national team. He played a total of 23 league matches during the season, scoring 2 goals. This number could have been higher were it not for the minor injuries he suffered throughout the season.
Barcelona
On 16 November 2010, Barcelona and PSV have agreed that Afellay will join Barcelona in January 2011, only the personal terms with the player now need to be agreed. The deal will be finalized in January and the fee was reported to be around € 3 m.
International career
After both the Moroccan and the Dutch national teams managers selected him for their squads, he was caught in the dilemma to either play for the Moroccan national team, because of his Moroccan descent, or to play for the Dutch team, the Netherlands being his place of resident. He has finally decided to play for the Dutch national team despite the heavy competition for places in midfield.[5] He made his international debut in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovenia on 28 March 2007. On October 12, 2010 Ibrahim Afellay scored his first international goals in a EURO 2012 Qualifier against Sweden.
After both the Moroccan and the Dutch national teams managers selected him for their squads, he was caught in the dilemma to either play for the Moroccan national team, because of his Moroccan descent, or to play for the Dutch team, the Netherlands being his place of resident. He has finally decided to play for the Dutch national team despite the heavy competition for places in midfield.[5] He made his international debut in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovenia on 28 March 2007. On October 12, 2010 Ibrahim Afellay scored his first international goals in a EURO 2012 Qualifier against Sweden.
Euro 2008
Afellay was included in Marco van Basten’s squad for Euro 2008 and was mostly used as a substitute. Just seconds after replacing Dirk Kuyt in the group match against Italy he nearly scored a goal but his volley went off the crossbar. In their last match against Romania, he was given a place in the starting 11 alongside Robben and van Persie in midfield.
2010 World Cup
Afellay was part of the Dutch team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup managed by Bert van Marwijk.The player came on as a substitute for their first and second matches in the competition, a 2-0 victory over Denmark and 1-0 victory over Japan respectively, as well as the round of 16 match against Slovakia.
Source: Wikipedia
