« If I am the king of football, then Ben Barek is its god. » This compliment was given by Pelé, the Brazilian legend, who, during his trip to Morocco in 1976, deemed Larbi Ben Barek the best player of his era.
Larbi Benbarek was born on June 16, 1917, in Agadir. He grew up with his father, a skilled laborer in boat repair, in the Cuba neighborhood of Casablanca.
In 1930, he began playing for the neighborhood amateur team Football Club El Ouatane, where he remained until 1934. That year, he made his professional debut with Idéal Club de Casablanca, a Moroccan second division club. In his first match with Idéal, he scored two goals and helped the team to a 3rd place finish in the championship.
In September 1936, he joined USM de Casablanca and played in the ULNAF Champions League final in 1938. This performance caught the attention of major mainland clubs, particularly after a friendly match against France in April 1937. In June 1938, Olympique de Marseille recruited him. He had the longest international career, spanning fifteen years and ten months, with the French national team.
He was considered one of the greatest footballers of all time for his technique and elegance. He was also an adored star in France and Spain, where he played for Atlético Madrid.
Larbi Ben Barek passed away on September 16, 1992.
In 1998, FIFA posthumously awarded him the Order of Merit medal, and King Hassan II renamed the Philip Stadium to Larbi Ben Barek Stadium in his honor.
