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86 Football Research Lab - 86足球研究室, Kluang (2026)

28/12/2025

Happy Birthday to Niclas Alexandersson (born 29 December 1971), Swedish former professional footballer who played as a right winger or right-back. Known for his stamina, tactical discipline, and versatility, he was a consistent performer for both club and country over a career spanning two decades.

He began his career at Halmstads BK before moving to IFK Göteborg, where he won the Allsvenskan title in 1996. In 1997, he moved to England, joining Sheffield Wednesday, where his impressive form earned him the club's Player of the Year award in 2000. He later played for Everton and had a brief loan spell at West Ham United. In 2004, he returned to IFK Göteborg, where he became a key veteran figure, captaining the side to another league title in 2007 and the Svenska Cupen in 2008 before his retirement.

For the Sweden national team, Alexandersson is a member of the "Century Club," having earned 109 caps and scored 7 goals between 1993 and 2008. He represented his country at four major tournaments: UEFA Euro 2000, the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2008. One of his most memorable international moments came during the 2002 World Cup, where he scored a powerful long-range equalizer in a 1–1 draw against England. He also competed for Sweden at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

28/12/2025

Happy Birthday to Wynton Rufer (born 29 December 1962), New Zealand former professional footballer who played as a striker. Widely regarded as the greatest player in the history of Oceania, he was named the Oceania Footballer of the Century by the IFFHS.

He began his career in New Zealand with Stop Out and Norwich City (though work permit issues limited his time in England) before moving to Switzerland, where he played for FC Zürich, FC Aarau, and Grasshoppers. His most iconic period came in Germany with Werder Bremen (1989–1995) under manager Otto Rehhagel. During his time in Bremen, he won the Bundesliga title, two DFB-Pokal trophies, and the 1992 European Cup Winners' Cup, scoring in the final against Monaco. He was one of the most prolific foreign scorers in the Bundesliga during the early 1990s. Later in his career, he played in Japan for JEF United Ichihara and returned to New Zealand to play for and manage Football Kingz.

For the New Zealand national team, Rufer earned 23 caps and scored 12 goals between 1980 and 1997. He played a pivotal role in the "All Whites" historic qualification for the 1982 FIFA World Cup, scoring a spectacular goal in the decisive play-off against China. He played in all three of New Zealand's matches at the tournament in Spain. Due to his commitments in Europe and the logistics of international travel at the time, his cap count was relatively low, but his impact remained legendary.

28/12/2025

Happy Birthday to Lakhdar Belloumi (born 29 December 1958), Algerian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Widely considered the greatest Algerian player of all time and one of the finest to ever emerge from Africa, he was a creative genius known for his vision, technique, and the invention of the "blind pass."

He spent the vast majority of his club career in Algeria, primarily with GC Mascara and MC Oran, due to national regulations at the time that prohibited players from leaving the country before the age of 27. Despite interest from global giants like Barcelona and Juventus, a major move to Europe never materialized, largely because of a serious leg injury sustained in 1985. He won the Algerian Championship twice—once with Mascara in 1984 and once with Oran in 1988—and was awarded the African Footballer of the Year in 1981.

For the Algeria national team, Belloumi is a legendary figure who earned 100 FIFA-recognized caps and scored 28 goals (though he has 147 total appearances including non-FIFA matches). He is most famous for scoring the winning goal in Algeria's historic 2–1 victory over West Germany at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, one of the greatest upsets in the tournament's history. He also represented Algeria at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 1980 Summer Olympics (reaching the quarter-finals), and four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Following his retirement in 1999, Belloumi moved into coaching and management, holding various positions including a brief stint as the manager of the Algerian national team. In 1999, he was voted the fourth-best African player of the 20th century by the IFFHS. His son, Bachir Belloumi, is also a professional footballer.

28/12/2025

Happy Birthday to Enrico Chiesa (born 29 December 1970), Italian former professional footballer who played as a striker.

He emerged as a top talent at Sampdoria following several loan spells, forming a prolific partnership with Roberto Mancini. In 1996, he joined Parma, where he enjoyed the most successful period of his career; he won the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup in 1999, finishing as the latter tournament's top scorer. He later moved to Fiorentina, where he remained highly productive until a severe knee injury in 2001 slowed his career. He eventually played for Lazio and Siena, becoming a legendary figure at the latter by helping the club maintain its Serie A status over five seasons. He finished his career with over 200 professional goals.

For the Italy national team, Chiesa earned 22 caps and scored seven goals between 1996 and 2001. He represented his country at UEFA Euro 1996, where he scored against the Czech Republic, and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. His international career was often limited by the immense competition for attacking spots in the Italian "golden generation" alongside players like Del Piero, Baggio, and Totti. He is also the father of current Italian international Federico Chiesa, making them one of the most successful father-son duos in the history of Italian football.

27/12/2025

Happy Birthday to Frank McLintock (born 28 December 1939), Scottish former professional footballer who played as a centre-back or midfielder. Originally a wing-half, he successfully transitioned into a defensive role where he became renowned for his leadership, tactical intelligence, and fierce competitive spirit.

He began his professional career with Leicester City, making his debut in 1959. During his seven seasons with the club, he reached two FA Cup finals and won the League Cup in 1964. Later that year, he joined Arsenal for a then-club record fee. Although he initially struggled for form, his move to centre-back and appointment as captain transformed his career. He famously led Arsenal to their first European trophy, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, in 1970, and captained the team to a historic League and FA Cup Double in 1971. His performances that season earned him the FWA Footballer of the Year award. He finished his playing days at Queens Park Rangers, where he was a key part of the side that narrowly missed out on the league title in 1976.

For the Scotland national team, McLintock earned nine caps and scored one goal between 1963 and 1971. Despite his immense success and stature at the club level in England, his international appearances were relatively limited. Following his retirement from playing, he moved into management, taking charge of his former club Leicester City and later Brentford. He also enjoyed a long and successful career as a sports journalist and media pundit. He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

27/12/2025

Happy Birthday to Sergi Barjuán (born 28 December 1971), Spanish former professional footballer who played as a left-back. Known for his speed, stamina, and overlapping runs, he spent the vast majority of his career at Barcelona, where he established himself as one of the most consistent defenders in La Liga during the 1990s.

He developed through the youth ranks at Barcelona, making his first-team debut under Johan Cruyff in 1993. During his nine seasons at the Camp Nou, he made 382 appearances and won nine major trophies, including three La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1997. In 2002, he moved to Atlético Madrid, where he played three seasons and served as a regular starter before retiring from professional football in 2005.

For the Spain national team, Sergi Barjuán earned 56 caps and scored one goal between 1994 and 2002. He represented his country at four major international tournaments, appearing in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 1996, the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2000. After retiring as a player, he transitioned into coaching, managing various teams including Recreativo de Huelva, Almería, and Mallorca. He also returned to Barcelona to coach the B team and served as the first team's interim manager in 2021 following the dismissal of Ronald Koeman.

27/12/2025

Happy Birthday to Terry Butcher (born 28 December 1958), English former professional footballer who played as a central defender. He was renowned for his leadership, physical presence, and uncompromising playing style, famously epitomized by a 1989 World Cup qualifier where he continued playing despite a deep head wound that left his white England shirt covered in blood.

He began his professional career at Ipswich Town, where he made over 350 appearances and played a vital role in the team that won the UEFA Cup in 1981 under Bobby Robson. In 1986, he moved to Scotland to join Rangers, serving as the captain of the squad during a period of significant success that included winning three Scottish league titles and three Scottish League Cups. After leaving Rangers, he had a stint with Coventry City as a player-manager and later played for Sunderland and Clydebank before retiring from the pitch.

For the England national team, Butcher earned 77 caps and scored three goals between 1980 and 1990. He appeared in three consecutive FIFA World Cups in 1982, 1986, and 1990. He served as the national team captain during the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where he led the team to a fourth-place finish. Following his playing career, he moved into management and coaching, taking charge of various clubs including Motherwell, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and Hibernian, as well as serving as an assistant coach for the Scotland national team and briefly managing the Philippines.

27/12/2025

Happy Birthday to Jimmy Nicholl (born 28 December 1956), Northern Irish former professional footballer who played as a defender, primarily as a right-back. He was known for his tenacity, defensive reliability, and leadership on the pitch, qualities that saw him enjoy a long career at both the club and international levels.

He began his professional career at Manchester United, where he made 248 appearances and helped the club win the FA Cup in 1977. After a successful stint in England, he moved to North America to play for the Toronto Blizzard in the NASL. He later returned to the British Isles to play for Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion before joining Rangers, where he won three Scottish league titles and three Scottish League Cups. He concluded his playing career with spells at Dunfermline Athletic and Raith Rovers, famously serving as player-manager for the latter.

For the Northern Ireland national team, Nicholl earned 73 caps and scored one goal between 1976 and 1986. He was a key member of the most successful era in the country's football history, representing Northern Ireland at both the 1982 FIFA World Cup and the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Following his retirement from playing, he transitioned into a successful coaching and managerial career, leading Raith Rovers to a historic Scottish League Cup victory in 1994 and holding various assistant management roles at clubs including Rangers, Aberdeen, and the Northern Ireland national team.

27/12/2025

Happy Birthday to Marcos Alonso (born 28 December 1990), Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left-back or centre-back for La Liga club Celta de Vigo. Born into a prominent footballing family—his grandfather Marquitos and father Marcos Alonso Peña both represented Spain—he is known for his height, physical presence, and technical ability, particularly his proficiency in taking free kicks and delivering crosses.

He began his career at Real Madrid, progressing through the youth ranks to make a single appearance for the senior team before moving to Bolton Wanderers in 2010. After three seasons in England, he joined Fiorentina in Italy, where his performances during a three-year stint (which included a loan spell at Sunderland) established him as one of Europe's top wing-backs. In 2016, he signed with Chelsea, where he enjoyed the most successful period of his career. During six seasons at Stamford Bridge, he made over 200 appearances and won several major trophies, including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, FA Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. In 2022, he returned to Spain to join Barcelona, helping them win the La Liga title in his first season, before moving to Celta de Vigo in 2024.

For the Spain national team, Alonso has earned nine caps since making his senior debut in 2018. His debut made his family the first in Spanish history to have three generations of players represent the national team. He was part of the squad that reached the final of the 2021 UEFA Nations League. Despite his success at the club level, his international appearances remained relatively infrequent due to strong competition for the left-back position.

26/12/2025

Remembering Gyula Zsengellér (27 December 1915 – 29 March 1999), Hungarian professional footballer who played as a forward. Regarded as one of the greatest goalscorers in the history of European football, he was known for his exceptional technical skills, clinical finishing, and high footballing intelligence. He is most famous for his prolific scoring record in the Hungarian League and his performances on the international stage during the 1930s.

He spent the most successful years of his club career at Újpest FC (1936–1947), where he became a legend by scoring 368 goals in 303 league matches. During his time with the club, he won four Hungarian league titles and the Mitropa Cup in 1939, a tournament in which he finished as the top scorer. He was the Hungarian League's top scorer on five separate occasions and was Europe's top goalscorer in both 1939 and 1945. Later in his career, he moved to Italy to play for Roma and Anconitana before finishing his playing days in Colombia with Deportivo Samarios.

For the Hungary national team, Zsengellér earned 39 caps and scored 32 goals between 1936 and 1947. He was a vital member of the legendary Hungarian squad that reached the final of the 1938 FIFA World Cup in France. During that tournament, he was the second-highest scorer with six goals, including a brace in the semi-final against Sweden, helping Hungary secure a runners-up finish. After retiring from the pitch, he enjoyed a long and varied coaching career across Europe and South America, most notably leading Pezoporikos Larnaca to a Cypriot league title in 1954. He passed away in Nicosia, Cyprus, at the age of 83.

26/12/2025

Happy Birthday to Duncan Ferguson (born 27 December 1971), Scottish professional football manager and former player who played as a forward. Known for his imposing physical presence, aerial prowess, and aggressive playing style, he earned the nickname "Big Dunc" and is regarded as one of the most iconic strikers in the history of the Premier League.

He began his career in Scotland with Dundee United before moving to Rangers in 1993 for a then-British record transfer fee. However, he is most famously associated with Everton, where he had two separate spells (1994–1998 and 2000–2006). During his time at Goodison Park, he became a cult hero, winning the FA Cup in 1995 and scoring 72 goals across 273 appearances. He also spent two seasons with Newcastle United between his stints at Everton. Throughout his career in England, he set a record for the most red cards in Premier League history (eight, tied with Patrick Vieira and Richard Dunne) and was known for his fierce competitive spirit.

For the Scotland national team, Ferguson earned seven caps between 1992 and 1997. He was a member of the squad for UEFA Euro 1992, but his international career was relatively brief and often overshadowed by injuries and personal controversies, including a highly publicized legal dispute with the Scottish Football Association that led to his decision to stop representing the national team. After retiring from playing, he transitioned into coaching, serving as a long-term assistant and twice as caretaker manager at Everton before taking permanent managerial roles at Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

26/12/2025

Happy Birthday to David Dunn (born 27 December 1979), English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Known for his technical skill, creative passing, and dribbling ability, he was a highly regarded playmaker who spent the majority of his career in the English Premier League.

He is most closely associated with Blackburn Rovers, the club where he began his career and had two successful spells. During his first period at Ewood Park (1998–2003), he helped the team win the League Cup in 2002. He then moved to Birmingham City for a four-year stint before returning to Blackburn in 2007, where he remained for another eight seasons. Over his two spells with Rovers, he made 378 appearances and scored 59 goals, cementing his status as a club legend. He finished his playing career as a player-coach at Oldham Athletic in 2016.

For the England national team, Dunn earned one senior cap in 2002, appearing as a substitute in a friendly match against Portugal. He was also a prominent figure for the England under-21 team, earning 20 caps and scoring three goals. Following his retirement from playing, he transitioned into coaching and management, holding roles at several clubs, including serving as the first-team manager of Barrow and Oldham Athletic, as well as coaching positions at Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool.

86 Football Research Lab - 86足球研究室

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