Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa, the French national who plays as a winger and an attacking midfielder for Nice, is also known as a bad boy.
Ben Arfa was born March 7, 1987 in Clamart, France. He was born to a footballer father and followed his footsteps. He is the son of Kamel Ben Arfa, who used to play soccer internationally for Tunisia. His youth career began in 1994 with France’s international youth system, ASV Chatenay-Malabry.
Ben Arfa debuted for France’s national team in 2007 and signed with Newcastle United in 2010 on loan for the 2010–11 season. The deal was made permanent later in the season.
Amid rumours of dressing room disruptions and poor fitness, the Frenchman was allowed to leave the Toon by then manager Alan Pardew and sent on loan to Hull in September 2014.
The 29-year-old, who made 86 appearances for the club, subsequently failed to settle at the KC Stadium, falling out with boss Steve Bruce. His move to the French side came after Newcastle sent him out on loan to Hull City before allowed him to leave the club on a free transfer.
The attacking midfielder has had a career revival since moving to Nice in January 2015, bagging 18 goals in 35 games, helping his side to fifth in the Ligue 1 table.
Things are looking brighter for the hunky player. Following a string of excellent performances this season, Ben Arfa has attracted the attention of Europe’s biggest names. Last month it was reported he was on the brink of completing a move to Barcelona.
Often criticized for lacking discipline, Ben Arfa revealed he felt ‘humiliated’ after he was relegated to the reserves. He said of the 2014 experience:
‘I was called up normally for training, I would get changed in the senior squad dressing room, but then I would work with the youngsters on some remote pitch; you had to walk a long time to get there. I felt very humiliated, but this episode taught me patience.’
Arfa –who was France’s Young player of the Year eight years ago –was nearly pushed to the limit when he considered retiring after he had to wait an extended period before being able to play for Nice.
As for his personal life, not much is known. The 1.78 m winger enjoys going to concerts and hanging out with family and friends. He has kept tight lip about dating anybody at the moment. Is he a bad boy when it comes to dating as well? Perhaps, at the moment, the question remains, who is Hatem Ben Arfa’s girlfriend?
You can find Hatem Ben Arfa on Instagram here.
