Atlético Madrid: Larbi Ben Barek, the Forgotten African Legend

Europe 04 March 2025 at 10:25

Amine Jomni

News Editor

Double Spanish champion (1950 and 1951), the legendary Moroccan number 10, Larbi Ben Barek, known as "El Mago de Casablanca," established himself as one of the greatest stars of the prestigious Iberian league in the 1950s. Yet today, many are unaware of the existence of this African genius who left a significant mark on Spanish and European football history. Let's revisit the extraordinary journey of the "Black Pearl":

The illustrious Moroccan attacking midfielder, Larbi Ben Barek (1917-1992), was undoubtedly the first major star of Arab and African football. "If I am the king of football, then Ben Barek was its God." This compliment came from King Pelé during his visit to Morocco in 1976, where he declared that Ben Barek was simply “the best footballer of his time.” >> The Ultimate GOAT Showdown: Messi, Ronaldo, Pelé, and Maradona. Who Truly Reigns Supreme?

Long before receiving praise from the legendary Brazilian, the child from the slums of Casablanca was nicknamed the "Black Pearl." Having played for Olympique de Marseille (1938-1939), Stade Français (1945-1948), and also Atlético Madrid (1948-1953), "Larbi the Magnificent" inspired a whole generation in Morocco, Africa, France, and around the world.

Trained at Union Sportive Marocaine where he started at 14, his football exploits quickly crossed the Mediterranean. At the dawn of his 20s, the young prodigy joined Olympique de Marseille, which at the time pulled off a major coup by signing the best player of the "North African Championship".

With his "Brazilian" style, innate goal-scoring ability focused on remarkable heading and a powerful shot, the recruit from Union Sportive Marocaine immediately charmed the French public by showcasing impressive skills during his first season in the prestigious OM jersey (14 goals in 32 matches).

A true idol in Marseille, the brilliant attacking midfielder earned his first cap for the French national team in December 1938 against Italy, as Morocco was then under French protectorate. Everything seemed to promise him a golden future. Unfortunately, World War II would hinder his bright career start between 1939 and 1945, when he returned to US Marocaine, a club with which he nonetheless won no fewer than five North African Championship titles.

After the liberation, he moved to Paris and Stade Français, where he had three brilliant seasons. But in 1948, Spain called for "El Mago de Casablanca" (the magician of Casablanca). That's when the highly reputed Atlético Madrid discovered the gem of the French league by spending a record sum of 17 million francs, much to the dismay of Parisian fans.

"You can sell the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, but never Ben Barek!"

The announcement of the transfer was seen as a real scandal in France to the point where French newspapers reportedly headlined: "You can sell the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, but never Ben Barek!"

In La Liga, his inimitable playing style continued to captivate. He won two Spanish championship titles (1950 and '51), scored over 60 goals, and at 31, established himself as one of the greatest stars of the prestigious Iberian league.

At the dawn of his 36th year, when everyone thought he was finished, "the foot of God" made a grand return to France wearing the Olympique de Marseille jersey (from 1953 to 1955), where he continued to display his class. He celebrated his 17th and final match with the French national team in October 1954 against Germany, making him, to this day, the player with the longest active period with the French national team ( 15 years and 10 months)! A tribute to this great man who left us 30 years ago to the day, on September 16, 1992.