Grégoire Akcelrod (born 17 September 1982) is a French former footballer.[1] Besides in France, he has played in Andorra and Canada. Following his retirement, he became a football agent and author.
Early life
Akcelrod grew up in Paris, France.[2] He played his first football game at the age of ten.[3] He grew up idolizing footballers George Weah and Zinedine Zidane and supported Paris Saint-Germain.[4]
Playing career
As a youth player, Akcelrod joined the youth academy of FC Sens.[5] In 2009, he almost signed for Bulgarian side CSKA (Sofia).[6] However, the transfer fell through after a supporter of French Ligue 1 side PSG, who he claimed to have played for, found that he never actually signed for the clubs he claimed to have signed for during his career.[7] This incident eventually received attention from foreign media.[8] After that, he trialed for many clubs worldwide.[9] He eventually signed for Canadian side Mississauga Eagles.[10][11] After that, he signed for Atlètic Amèrica in Andorra.[12]
Post-playing career
After playing for Mississauga Eagles, Akcelrod became a football agent in Andorra.[13] In 2022, he published a book entitled L'amour ou la mort (transl. Love or death) about his grandmother Nita Raya's relationship with French actor Maurice Chevalier.[14]
Personal life
Akecelrod is the son of Patrick Akcelrod.[15] He is also the grandson of Romanian Jew actress Nita Raya, who was once the fiancée of French actor Maurice Chevalier.[16]
References
- ↑ "Grégoire Akcelrod, le footballeur qui faillit passer pro". lequipe.fr.
- ↑ "GREGOIRE AKCELROD – THE FOOTBALLER WHO DID WHATEVER IT TOOK TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL". getfootballnewsfrance.com. 26 February 2021.
- ↑ "The story of the man who conned his way into a massive soccer contract". deadspin.com. June 2022.
- ↑ "Fake footballer nearly bagged deal with Champions League club, went on to become Aurelien Tchouameni's agent". sportbible.com. 5 February 2023.
- ↑ "Gregory Akcelrod, il calciatore del web: "Non sono un truffatore! Ecco la mia verità…"". soccermagazine.it.
- ↑ "Грегори Акселрод: ЦСКА е име, а преди и страшилище в Европа". winner.bg.
- ↑ "Фенове разкриха футболен Остап Бендер в ЦСКА". gol.bg.
- ↑ "Gregory Akcelrod: il ragazzo che si finse calciatore e fu ingaggiato dal Cska…". soccermagazine.it.
- ↑ "Rencontre avec ces Français du bout du monde : Grégoire Akcelrod". footmercato.net. 22 July 2011.
- ↑ "Canada a strange path to Italy for Akcelrod". theroar.com.au.
- ↑ "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS". 24 June 2013.
- ↑ "Grégoire Akcelrod afegeix un nou capítol andorrà a una biografia futbolística de pel·lícula". andorradifusio.ad.
- ↑ ""Tinc molt clar que puc ajudar a joves jugadors d'Andorra en el seu futur"". elperiodic.ad. 26 January 2023.
- ↑ "L'amour ou la mort - Livre de Grégoire Akcelrod". booknode.com. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
- ↑ "L'incroyable histoire de Grégoire Akcelrod, l'imposteur prêt à tout pour devenir footballeur pro". ouest-france.fr.
- ↑ "GREGOIRE AKCELROD: THE FAKE FOOTBALLER". thesetpieces.com. 14 May 2021.