Youcef Belaïli arrived in Brittany on Monday to replace Romain Faivre, who left for OL, but the silky-skilled midfielder is much more than a fall-back solution for Stade Brestois 29. While his only previous experience in Europe was not conclusive - he spent less than five months with Angers during the 2017-18 season - the second attempt could be the right one for the Algerian international with an eye for goal. At almost 30 years of age, this pillar of the national team coached by Djamel Belmadi has shone in Africa and Asia for several seasons. A reputation and status that have translated to a massive following on social media.

More than just a social media star

With almost three million followers on Instagram, Youcef Belaïli has boosted the online presence of the club from the north-western tip of France. The announcement of the player's signature on Monday evening, on the last day of the winter transfer window, almost tripled the size of the Brest community on social networks. In less than 20 hours, the number of subscribers rose from 440,000 to almost 1,300,000.

"We were really surprised by the size of the community," a spokesman for the club told AFP. "In terms of accounts it was like Las Vegas, it was a jackpot."

Walk the walk

But on the pitch, what will it look like? It is with the Algerian team that Youcef Belaïli has shone the brightest. An undisputed first-team regular since the end of 2018, he actively participated in Algeria's victory at the CAN 2019 (two goals) as well as in the success at the Arab Cup last December (two goals, two penalties and an assist).

At club level, he started out with MC Oran before playing for Espérance Sportive de Tunis. Returning home to USM Alger, he then tried his luck at Angers SCO before returning to ES Tunis, with whom he won the CAF Champions League in 2018 and 2019.

CAF Champions League Statistics 2018 and 2019

Most decisive players:
1. Youcef Belaïli: 11 goals + assists (6 + 5)
2. Anice Badri: 10 (7 + 3)
3. Jackson Muleka: 9 (5 + 4)
--. Trésor Mputu: 9 (4 + 5)
--. Leandro Gastón Sirino: 9 (3 + 6)

Successful dribbles:
1. Youcef Belaïli: 53
2. Ismail El Haddad: 37
3. Meschak Elia: 27
4. Anice Badri: 26
5. Mohammed Ounajem: 22

Passes leading to a shot:
1. Youcef Belaïli: 47
2. Trésor Mputu: 44
3. Ali Maâloul: 34
4. Anice Badri: 31
--. Mohammed Ounajem: 31

Shots:
1. Jackson Muleka: 53
2. Youcef Belaïli: 47
3. Meschak Elia: 46
4. Anice Badri: 41
--. Mohamed Nahiri: 41

With these two continental successes to his name, Youcef Belaïli chose to continue his career in the Gulf. First in Saudi Arabia, with Al-Ahli, then with Qatar SC. In his only full season in the Qatari league, the Algerian international has been particularly prominent.

Statistics in the Qatari league 2020-21

Goals:
1. Baghdad Bounedjah: 21
2. Dudu: 14
3. Youcef Belaïli: 13
--. Santi Cazorla: 13
5. Edmilson Junior: 12

Goals + assists:
1. Baghdad Bounedjah: 27
2. Dudu: 24
--. Santi Cazorla: 24
4. Edmilson Junior: 18
5. Youcef Belaïli: 16

Shots:
1. Baghdad Bounedjah: 105
2. Dudu: 77
--. Mohanad Ali: 77
4. Jonathan Kodjia: 72
5. Mohamed Benyettou: 66
6. Youcef Belaïli: 61
--. Edmilson Junior: 61

Passes leading to a shot:
1. Sofiane Hanni: 87
2. Santi Cazorla: 77
3. Dudu: 62
4. Yacine Brahimi: 46
5. Nadir Belhadj: 43
6. Rodrigo Tabata: 42
7. Youcef Belaïli: 41

>> TRANSFERS: All the winter moves