Ali Maâloul

2.1. Birth and Youth

Ali Maâloul was born on January 1, 1990, in Sfax, Tunisia. From a young age, he demonstrated a keen interest and talent in football, leading him to join the youth academy of his hometown club, CS Sfaxien. His time in the youth ranks of CS Sfaxien was crucial for his development, providing him with the foundational skills and tactical understanding necessary to progress in the sport.

2.2. Early Career at CS Sfaxien

Maâloul's professional career officially began when he joined the senior team of CS Sfaxien in 2009. He steadily worked his way through the ranks, gradually earning his place in the starting lineup. His dedication and growing skill set were evident as he transitioned from a promising youth player to an integral part of the senior squad, setting the stage for his impactful contributions to the club.

3.1. CS Sfaxien

Maâloul played a crucial role for his hometown club, CS Sfaxien, demonstrating versatility and leadership from his defensive position. He eventually became the team's captain starting from the 2014-15 season, a testament to his influence and respect within the squad. In a highly unusual and impressive feat for a defender, during the 2015-16 season, Maâloul became the top scorer in the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1, netting 14 goals in 20 matches. This set a new record for a defender in the league, as no other defender had previously scored more than nine goals in a single season. During his time at CS Sfaxien, he notably wore the number 10 shirt, which is an uncommon choice for a left-back and further highlighted his unique attacking prowess. With CS Sfaxien, he secured the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 title in 2013 and the CAF Confederation Cup in the same year.

3.2. Al Ahly SC

On July 25, 2016, Ali Maâloul made a significant move, signing a four-year contract with Egyptian football giants Al Ahly SC. The transfer fee for his move to Al Ahly was reported to be 750.00 K USD. Since joining Al Ahly, Maâloul quickly established himself as one of the team's most vital players, consistently delivering high-level performances from his left-back position, often wearing the number 21 shirt. His contributions have been instrumental in Al Ahly's dominance in both domestic and continental competitions. He has been a key figure in the club conquering numerous tournaments, including multiple Egyptian Premier League titles, Egypt Cup victories, and Egyptian Super Cup triumphs. Most notably, he played a central role in Al Ahly's success in the CAF Champions League, helping them secure multiple continental titles.

4.1. National Team Debut and Major Tournament Participation

Ali Maâloul made his debut for the Tunisia national football team on July 6, 2013, in a 1-0 loss against the Morocco national team during the qualification phase for the 2014 African Nations Championship. Since his debut, he has been a regular presence in the national squad, participating in multiple editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. He featured in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, playing four matches before Tunisia exited in the quarter-finals after an extra-time loss to hosts Equatorial Guinea. He also played three matches in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, where Tunisia again reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Burkina Faso.

Maâloul further represented Tunisia at the 2016 African Nations Championship, where he played three matches, with Tunisia once more experiencing a quarter-final exit after losing to Mali. His international career also includes participation in the sport's most prestigious event, the FIFA World Cup. He played two matches for Tunisia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, appearing in the matches against England (which ended in a 2-1 defeat) and Belgium (a 5-2 loss). He also represented Tunisia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. As of March 2024, Maâloul has earned 90 caps for the Tunisia national team, scoring three international goals.

5.1. Club

Appearances and goals by club, season, and competition. Updated as of December 28, 2023.

5.2. International

Appearances and goals by national team and year. Updated as of March 9, 2024.

The following table lists Ali Maâloul's international goals for the Tunisia national team. Scores and results list Tunisia's goal tally first, with the score column indicating the score after each Maâloul goal. Updated as of September 12, 2023.

6.1. Club Honours

• CS Sfaxien**

• Al Ahly**

6.2. Individual Honours

• Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 top goalscorer: 2015-16
• CAF Team of the Year: 2017
• FIFA Club World Cup top goalscorer: 2023