1. Overview
Aurélien Joachim, born on August 10, 1986, is a professional footballer from Luxembourg who plays as a striker for RUS Ethe Belmont. Joachim began his senior career in 2004 and went on to become a prominent figure in Luxembourgish football. He notably made 80 appearances for the Luxembourg national team between 2005 and 2019, scoring 15 goals. He is the younger brother of former cyclist Benoît Joachim and is recognized alongside other popular Luxembourg national players of the 2000s, such as goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert, defender Jeff Strasser, and striker Daniel da Mota.
2. Early life
Aurélien Joachim's formative years in football began in Belgium, where he was born. He spent his youth career developing his skills within the youth teams of Belgian clubs Virton and Mouscron. His time in these youth setups was crucial for his development as a footballer before he transitioned into senior professional play. These early experiences laid the groundwork for his future professional career in football.
3. Club career
Aurélien Joachim's professional club career spanned several European leagues, beginning in Belgium and Luxembourg, before moving to Germany, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, and England, and eventually returning to Luxembourg. His journey involved significant achievements, particularly during his time with F91 Dudelange, and later stints with various clubs reflecting his diverse playing experiences.
3.1. Early career
Joachim made his senior debut for R.E. Virton in the 2004-2005 season. Following this, he moved to Germany, where he played for the reserve teams of German Bundesliga sides VfL Bochum and Alemannia Aachen. His career then brought him to Luxembourg, where he made his debut in the Luxembourg National Division during the second half of the 2007-2008 season.
3.2. Success with F91 Dudelange and European competitions
In May 2011, Joachim transferred to F91 Dudelange, where he quickly became a pivotal player. He was a key figure in Dudelange's notable Champions League run in 2012-13. During this campaign, he scored four goals over two legs against S.P. Tre Penne of San Marino. He further distinguished himself by scoring in each leg of Dudelange's memorable 4-4 aggregate draw with Red Bull Salzburg, which saw his side advance via the away goals rule. This progression allowed Dudelange to face NK Maribor in the third qualifying round, marking the club's furthest advancement in the Champions League to date.
3.3. Stints in other European leagues
Following his success with F91 Dudelange, Aurélien Joachim moved to other European leagues. On August 29, 2012, he was loaned to Willem II in the Netherlands, remaining with the club until the end of the season. In July 2013, after permanently departing Dudelange as a free agent, he signed a two-year deal with RKC Waalwijk, another Dutch club.
Before the start of the 2014-15 season, Joachim joined Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia. He made his official debut for the team in a Europa League qualifier against FC Zimbru Chișinău on July 17, 2014. His tenure with CSKA Sofia ended in April 2015, when he had to return to Luxembourg to undergo a meniscus operation.
During the 2015-16 season, Joachim moved to England, joining Burton Albion. He played for one season before terminating his contract at the end of the season. After his time in England, he returned to Belgian football, joining Lierse S.K..
3.4. Later career and return to Luxembourg
After a season with R.E. Virton, Joachim confirmed in June 2019 that he had been relegated to the club's B-team, indicating he was no longer part of the first team's plans. However, by the end of October 2019, he was promoted back to the first team. In July 2020, Joachim returned to Luxembourgish football, joining FC Differdange 03. He later moved to RUS Ethe Belmont, his most recent club affiliation.
4. International career
Aurélien Joachim had a notable international career representing the Luxembourg national football team. He is one of the most capped and highest-scoring players for the country, contributing significantly during his tenure.
4.1. National team debut and overview
Joachim made his debut for the Luxembourg national team at just 19 years old, participating in a September 2005 World Cup qualification match against Liechtenstein. Throughout his senior international career, he earned 80 caps and scored 15 goals. He played in five World Cup qualification matches and is recognized as a popular figure in Luxembourgish football alongside contemporaries such as Jonathan Joubert, Jeff Strasser, and Daniel da Mota.
4.2. International goals
Aurélien Joachim scored 15 goals for the Luxembourg national team. The scores and results listed below show Luxembourg's goal tally first, with the score column indicating the score after each of Joachim's goals.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 February 2007 | Stade Alphonse Theis, Hesperange, Luxembourg | Gambia | 1-1 | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 2 | 6 September 2011 | Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg | Albania | 2-1 | 2-1 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
| 3 | 15 August 2012 | Stade Municipal, Differdange, Luxembourg | Georgia | 1-2 | 1-2 | Friendly |
| 4 | 14 August 2013 | Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg | Lithuania | 1-1 | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 5 | 6 September 2013 | Central Stadium Kazan, Russia | Russia | 1-3 | 1-4 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 6 | 10 September 2013 | Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg | Northern Ireland | 1-1 | 3-2 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 7 | 26 May 2014 | Cristal Arena, Genk, Belgium | Belgium | 1-1 | 1-5 | Friendly |
| 8 | 13 November 2015 | Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg | Greece | 1-0 | 1-0 | Friendly |
| 9 | 6 September 2016 | Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria | Bulgaria | 1-1 | 3-4 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 10 | 2-1 | |||||
| 11 | 10 October 2016 | Borisov Arena, Barysaw, Belarus | Belarus | 1-1 | 1-1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 12 | 25 March 2017 | Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg | France | 1-1 | 1-3 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 13 | 9 November 2017 | Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg | Hungary | 1-0 | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 14 | 5 June 2018 | Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg | Georgia | 1-0 | 1-0 | Friendly |
| 15 | 11 September 2018 | San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San Marino | San Marino | 2-0 | 3-0 | 2018-19 UEFA Nations League D |
4.3. Retirement from international football
Aurélien Joachim announced his retirement from international football in July 2020. This decision marked the end of a distinguished career representing his country, during which he became one of Luxembourg's most prominent footballers.
5. Career statistics
This section presents comprehensive statistical data regarding Aurélien Joachim's appearances and goals in both club and international competitions throughout his professional career.
5.1. Club statistics
Detailed club statistics, including appearances and goals across various competitions, are not explicitly provided in the source documents to compile a table. However, his career involved stints with clubs such as R.E. Virton, VfL Bochum II, Alemannia Aachen II, F91 Dudelange, Willem II, RKC Waalwijk, CSKA Sofia, Burton Albion, Lierse S.K., FC Differdange 03, and RUS Ethe Belmont.
5.2. International statistics
The following table details Aurélien Joachim's appearance and goal statistics specifically for the Luxembourg national team. The data is updated as of matches played on November 17, 2019.
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxembourg | 2005 | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2014 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 80 | 15 | |
6. Legacy and influence
Aurélien Joachim holds a significant place in the history of Luxembourgish football. As one of the country's leading goal scorers and most capped players, his contributions to the national team have been considerable. His pivotal role in F91 Dudelange's deepest run in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers also highlights his impact at the club level. He is widely regarded as a prominent figure in Luxembourgish football, recognized for his consistent performance as a striker and his longevity in both domestic and international competitions.
7. External links
- [http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/12314/Aurelien_Joachim.html Aurélien Joachim profile]
- [http://www.vi.nl/spelers/carriere/aurelien-joachim.htm Voetbal International profile]