Ishak Belfodil

1.1. Youth Career

Belfodil spent only a year at Clermont Foot. During his time with the club's under-16 team, he achieved significant success, scoring nine of the team's first fifteen goals in the Championnat National under-16 league, becoming the league's top scorer. His impressive performance attracted the attention of several prominent clubs, most notably French powerhouse Lyon, as well as English giants Chelsea and Manchester United.

On 13 November 2008, Lyon officially announced that they had acquired Belfodil, who signed an aspirant (youth) contract with the club, valid until June 2011. For the duration of the 2008-09 season, Belfodil played for Lyon's under-18 team. He was an integral part of the team that reached the semi-finals of the 2008-09 Coupe Gambardella, appearing in six matches and scoring two goals. Belfodil also made one appearance for the club's Championnat de France amateur team (Lyon B). For Lyon B, he played 23 matches and scored 5 goals in the 2010-11 season, and 4 matches with 7 goals in the 2011-12 season.

2.1. Lyon

In just the third week of the 2009-10 season, Belfodil was called up to the senior team for Lyon's match against Auxerre on 22 August 2009. He made his professional debut in that match, coming on as a substitute for Jean-Alain Boumsong in the 85th minute, with Lyon securing a 3-0 victory. Three days later, on 25 August 2009, Belfodil made his UEFA Champions League debut in the second leg of the club's playoff round match against Anderlecht, appearing as a substitute for Lisandro López in the 60th minute. On 16 July 2010, he signed his first professional contract, a three-year deal until 2014, which took effect on 1 July 2011, as he still had another year remaining on his youth contract. During his time with the Lyon senior team, he made a total of 10 Ligue 1 appearances and 3 UEFA Champions League appearances, without scoring any goals.

2.2. Bologna (loan)

After his initial period with Lyon, Belfodil was loaned to Serie A club Bologna for six months, from January to June 2012. During this loan spell, he made 8 appearances in Serie A but did not score any goals.

2.3. Parma

Belfodil had two separate periods playing for Parma F.C., both marked by significant contributions and challenging circumstances.

2.4. Inter Milan

On 5 July 2013, after extensive negotiations, Ishak Belfodil was officially announced as an Inter Milan player. The transfer involved 50% of Belfodil's economic rights remaining with Parma, while Inter acquired the other 50% for a transfer fee of 5.75 M EUR, based on an overall player valuation of 11.50 M EUR. He signed a five-year contract with Inter. On 3 February 2014, FIFA also ruled that Lyon was eligible to receive an additional 1.80 M EUR due to a bonus clause in his previous contract.

Belfodil was initially given the number 18 shirt but later switched to number 7. He was officially introduced as an Inter player alongside Mauro Icardi on 16 July 2013, at the Paladolomiti in Pinzolo. On 22 July 2013, Belfodil scored his first goal for Inter in a 3-1 pre-season friendly victory over Vicenza, heading the ball into the net from a corner in the 42nd minute after his initial shot was saved. In the first half of the 2013-14 Serie A season, he made just 8 league appearances, all as a substitute. He also played in 2 Coppa Italia matches, scoring 1 goal.

2.5. Livorno (loan)

On 31 January 2014, Belfodil joined fellow Serie A club Livorno on loan for the remainder of the 2013-14 Serie A season. While at Livorno, he received significantly more playing time, making 17 Serie A appearances. However, his form was poor, and he failed to register a goal or an assist during his tenure, as the team was ultimately relegated. This move was made with the aim of securing a place in the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad, but his performance did not meet expectations.

2.6. Baniyas

On 28 July 2015, Ishak Belfodil officially joined Baniyas Club, signing a two-year contract with the UAE Arabian Gulf League side. During his time in the United Arab Emirates, he made 23 league appearances, scoring 11 goals, and also featured in 3 cup matches.

2.7. Standard Liège

On 31 August 2016, Belfodil signed a one-year contract with Belgian club Standard Liège, with an option to extend for another year. In the 2016-17 season, he made 32 league appearances, scoring 14 goals. He also participated in the UEFA Europa League, making 5 appearances and scoring 3 goals, bringing his total for the season to 17 goals in 37 matches across all competitions. In the 2017-18 season, he made 3 league appearances before moving on loan.

2.7.1. Werder Bremen (loan)

On 31 August 2017, the final day of the German summer transfer window, Belfodil joined Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on a one-year loan. The loan fee was reportedly 600.00 K EUR. Werder Bremen secured an option to sign him permanently, reportedly for a transfer fee of 6.50 M EUR, which sporting director Frank Baumann confirmed was in the "single-digit million" range. During his loan spell, Belfodil made 26 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 4 goals, and also contributed 2 goals in 3 cup appearances, for a total of 6 goals in 29 matches.

2.8. Hoffenheim

In May 2018, it was announced that Belfodil would join TSG Hoffenheim for the 2018-19 season, having signed a contract with the club until 2022. The transfer fee paid to Standard Liège was reported as 5.50 M EUR.

On 9 February 2019, he scored two crucial goals in a remarkable comeback against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. Hoffenheim were trailing 3-0, but Belfodil scored the first goal in the 75th minute and the equalizer in the 87th minute to complete the comeback, ending the match in a 3-3 draw.

During his tenure at Hoffenheim, Belfodil made a total of 47 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 16 goals. He also played in 4 cup matches and 9 continental matches (5 in the UEFA Champions League, 4 in the UEFA Europa League), scoring 1 goal in the Champions League and 1 in the Europa League. His overall record for Hoffenheim was 18 goals in 60 appearances across all competitions.

2.9. Hertha BSC

On 23 August 2021, Ishak Belfodil completed a permanent transfer to Hertha BSC. With Hertha, he made 26 appearances in the Bundesliga, scoring 5 goals. He also played in 2 cup matches, scoring 1 goal, and featured in 2 Bundesliga relegation play-off matches. In total, he scored 6 goals in 30 appearances for the club.

2.10. Al-Gharafa

On 21 August 2022, Belfodil signed a two-year contract with Qatar Stars League side Al-Gharafa. In the 2022-23 season, he made 18 appearances in the Qatar Stars League, scoring 6 goals. He also played in 2 cup matches, scoring 1 goal, bringing his total for Al-Gharafa to 7 goals in 20 appearances.

2.11. Sabah FC

On 13 September 2023, Azerbaijan Premier League club Sabah FC announced the signing of Belfodil on a two-year contract, with an option for a further year. As of January 16, 2024, he has made 2 league appearances for Sabah FC.

3.1. France youth teams

Belfodil was eligible to represent both France and Algeria. Early in his youth career, he considered playing for Algeria but was ineligible to represent France as he had not yet received French nationality. He reportedly asked his father to inform Algeria of his intention to play for them, but his inquiries went unnoticed.

In 2009, Belfodil was awarded French nationality and was subsequently called up to the under-17 team to participate in the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship. He appeared in all three of the team's matches as they were eliminated in the group stage.

Belfodil continued his international duty for the 2009-10 season under coach Philippe Bergeroo with the under-18 team. He made his debut for the team on 27 October 2009 in a friendly match against Denmark. On 8 December, he scored his first international youth goal in a 1-1 draw against Ukraine. In 2010, he concluded the campaign by scoring against Germany at the Cloppenburg Arena in another 1-1 draw. For the France U-18 team, he made a total of 6 appearances and scored 2 goals.

Belfodil remained a key player under coach Bergeroo for the under-19 team duty. On 12 September 2010, he scored his first goal with the team in a 2-2 draw with Brazil in the 2010 edition of the Sendai Cup. In the first round qualification for the 2011 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, he scored the only goal in the team's final group stage match victory over Austria. He made a total of 13 appearances and scored 2 goals for the France U-19 team. He also played 2 matches and scored 1 goal for the France U-20 team in 2011.

3.2. Algeria national team

On 25 August 2012, Belfodil received his first call-up to the Algeria national team by coach Vahid Halilhodžić for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya. However, FIFA had not yet processed his allegiance switch to Algeria, and his club refused to release him for the game, leading to him being replaced by Mohamed Seguer. On 26 September 2012, FIFA officially announced that Belfodil's application was processed, making him eligible to represent Algeria.

He made his international A-match debut on 15 August 2013, coming on as a substitute in a friendly match against Guinea. Belfodil has since represented Algeria in various competitions, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup African Qualifiers, 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, and the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers. As of March 29, 2022, he has made 19 appearances for the Algerian national team, scoring 2 goals.

4.1. International