Sid Belhaj’s unique choice, Decathlon sales assistant and France futsal record holder at the Euro | OneFootball

Sid Belhaj, 33, is France’s most-capped futsal international and is contesting the Euro while keeping his sales job at Decathlon. According to L'Équipe, he has chosen to stay in work alongside his Sporting Paris career.

He broke the record with his 152nd cap on 15 January, the day France drew 5-5 with Belgium. Since debuting in 2013 he has made 154 appearances and scored 48 goals.

Based at Decathlon O’Parinor in Aulnay-sous-Bois, his manager adapts his schedule, and a federation agreement releases him for France duty and reimburses the employer. He also serves as a futsal ambassador for Kipsta.

His set-up is now unique, the only France international still working outside the sport. Coach Raphaël Reynaud, in charge since 2021, hails him as a model, nicknames him Le stratège and Le tacticien, and made him U21 captain in 2012-2013. He remains a versatile cornerstone of the squad.

He once seemed set for 11-a-side, playing CFA 2 with Issy-les-Moulineaux at 16 and drawing Lyon’s eye before a groin issue. He moved into futsal, won French titles in 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2022, then surpassed Djamel Haroun.

France are at the Euro from 21 January to 7 February in Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia. He featured at Euro 2018 and still dreams of a first major title, which would delay his return to the shop floor.

Source: L'Équipe