Rabih Ataya
Ataya with Lebanon in 2022
Personal information
Full name Rabih Mohammad Ataya[1]
Date of birth (1989-07-16) 16 July 1989
Place of birth Tyre, Lebanon[1]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position(s) Right winger
Team information
Current team
 TP Mazembe (on loan from Nejmeh)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2008 Tadamon Sour
2008–2017 Ansar (20)
2014 → Masafi Al-Wasat (loan)
2017–2018 Zob Ahan 29 (1)
2018–2023 Ahed 28 (2)
2020 → UiTM (loan) 9 (2)
2021 → Kedah Darul Aman (loan) 18 (2)
2022 → Ajman (loan) 1 (0)
2023– Nejmeh 0 (0)
2023– → TP Mazembe (loan) 0 (0)
International career‡
2008–2009 Lebanon U19[3] 3 (1)
2011 Lebanon U23[4] 2 (0)
2012–2022 Lebanon 49 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 May 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 March 2022

Rabih Mohammad Ataya (Arabic: ربیع محمد عطایا, Lebanese Arabic pronunciation: [raˈbiːʕ mˈħammad ʕɑˈtˤɑːja]; born 16 July 1989) is a Lebanese professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Congolese club TP Mazembe, on loan from Lebanese Premier League club Nejmeh.

Starting his career at Tadamon Sour in 2006, Ataya moved to Ansar, where he played for nine seasons. He helped them win a Lebanese FA Cup and a Lebanese Super Cup. In 2016, he moved to Iranian side Zob Ahan; Ataya returned to Lebanon two years later, joining Ahed. He won the 2019 AFC Cup, among other domestic titles. Ataya then moved to Malaysia, on loan to UiTM and Kedah Darul Aman in 2020 and 2021, respectively. He also had a one-match stint at Ajman in the United Arab Emirates. In 2023, Ataya joined Nejmeh who promptly sent him on loan to TP Mazembe in DR Congo.

Having represented Lebanon internationally at youth level, Ataya made his senior debut in 2012. He helped Lebanon qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, in which he played.

Club career

Early career

Ataya began his career at hometown club Tadamon Sour in the Lebanese Premier League in 2006.[5] He then moved to Ansar in 2008.[5] On 5 February 2015, Ataya joined Iraqi Premier League club Masafi Al-Wasat for the rest of the season.[6] He remained at Ansar until 2017,[5] scoring 20 league goals,[7] and appearing in the 2013 AFC Cup.[8]

Zob Ahan

Ataya (left) with Zob Ahan against Esteghlal in 2018

On 16 January 2017, it was announced that Iranian club Zob Ahan had completed the transfer of Ataya.[9] He joined on an 18-month contract for an undisclosed fee, and reunited with fellow Lebanese player Ali Hamam.[9]

Ahed

On 17 August 2018, Ataya returned to Lebanon, joining reigning champions Ahed in a deal involving Hassan Chaito, Ghazi Honeine, and Hassan Bitar, who moved from Ansar to Ahed.[10]

Loan to UiTM

On 14 February 2020, Ataya was sent on loan to newly promoted Malaysia Super League club UiTM.[11][12] He made his debut on 29 February 2020, in a 2–0 defeat to Melaka United.[13] Ataya scored his first goal and made his first assist on 15 March 2020, against PDRM, helping his side win 3–1.[14]

On 26 September 2020, Ataya scored and assisted in a 3–3 draw against Selangor.[15] He finished the season with two goals and two assists in nine games,[16] helping his side reach sixth place in their first season in the top division.[17]

Loan to Kedah Darul Aman

On 19 November 2020, Ataya moved on loan to league runners-up Kedah Darul Aman for the 2021 season, until November 2021.[17] He made his debut on 5 March 2021, in the opening game of the season – which was also the final of the 2021 Piala Sumbangsih; his team lost 2–0 against Johor Darul Ta'zim.[18]

On 17 and 20 March, Ataya made two assists in two consecutive games, helping his team beat Petaling Jaya City and his former club UiTM.[19] He scored his first goal on 21 August, helping his side win 2–1 against Terengganu.[20] Ataya's second goal came four days later, scoring a long-distance shot off a free kick in a 4–1 win to Petaling Jaya City.[21] He helped Kedah finish in second place, and qualify for the 2022 AFC Cup.[22]

Loan to Ajman

In January 2022, Ataya moved to UAE Pro League side Ajman on a one-match contract; the nature of the contract is due to the temporary absence of Tunisian midfielder Firas Ben Larbi from Ajman's squad, as he would be competing in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.[23] He played the whole 90 minutes in the game against Emirates on 8 January, losing 1–0 at home.[24] He returned to Ahed on 7 February.[25]

Nejmeh

On 23 March 2023, Ataya joined Nejmeh after the end of the 2022–23 Lebanese Premier League season.[26] He was sent on loan to TP Mazembe in the Congolese Linafoot on 4 July 2023.[27]

International career

Ataya (left) with the Lebanon national team against the United Arab Emirates in 2021

Ataya made his senior international debut for Lebanon on 11 May 2012, in a 4–1 friendly defeat to Egypt.[28][29] He scored his first goal against Jordan on 31 August 2016.[7] On 13 June 2017, Ataya scored his first international brace in a 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification match, helping Lebanon beat Malaysia 2–1.[7] Ataya was called up for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup;[30] he featured in two games, against Saudi Arabia and North Korea.[7]

Style of play

Ataya's main qualities are his dribbling and technical ability, alongside his finishing and crossing.[31] He has been likened to Algerian player Riyad Mahrez for his skilful play.[32]

Career statistics

International

As of match played 29 March 2022[33]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Lebanon 201210
201330
201420
201500
201661
201763
201870
2019120
202000
2021111
202210
Total495
Scores and results list Lebanon's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ataya goal.
List of international goals scored by Rabih Ataya
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 31 August 2016 Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon  Jordan 1–0 1–1 Friendly
2 13 June 2017 Tan Sri Dato' Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium, Johor Bahru, Malaysia  Malaysia 1–1 2–1 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification
3 2–1
4 10 October 2017 Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon  North Korea 5–0 5–0 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification
5 9 June 2021 Goyang Stadium, Goyang, South Korea  Turkmenistan 1–1 2–3 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Ansar

Ahed

Kedah Darul Aman

Individual

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Rabih Ataya". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  2. ↑ "FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021: List of players: Lebanon" (PDF). FIFA. 4 December 2021. p. 9. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  3. ↑ "North Korea v Lebanon" (PDF). The AFC. 1 November 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  4. ↑ "Official Home of Asian Football". archive.vn. 5 January 2013. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 "Lebanon's Ataya enjoying 'student' life in Malaysia | Football | News |". the-AFC. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  6. ↑ "شرارة وعطايا رسميا مع مصافي الوسط العراقي". Elsport News (in Arabic). Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Rabih Ataya". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  8. ↑ "Al Ansar (LIB) 0–0 Fanja (OMA)". Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  9. 1 2 "Lebanese Winger Ataya Joins Iran's Zob Ahan - Sports news". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  10. ↑ "رسمياً: ربيع عطايا إلى العهد". Elsport News (in Arabic). Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  11. ↑ "Football: UiTM wrap up foreign signings with Ataya | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  12. ↑ Nehme, Ale (18 February 2020). "Lebanese abroad: winter transfer window summary". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  13. ↑ Rabih Ataya at Soccerway. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  14. ↑ Lebanon, F. A. (18 March 2020). "Lebanese abroad review: March, Week 2". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  15. ↑ Diab, Rami Abou (28 September 2020). "Lebanese Players Abroad: September 2020, Week 4". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  16. ↑ "مقابلة | ربيع عطايا: "اخترت اللعب مع أحد أكبر الأندية الماليزية"". lebanonfg.com. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  17. 1 2 Mahfoud, Maroun (19 November 2020). "Rabih Ataya with a new club". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  18. ↑ Abou Diab, Rami (8 March 2021). "Lebanese Players Abroad: March 2021, Week 1". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  19. ↑ Mahfoud, Maroun (22 March 2021). "Lebanese Players Abroad: March 2021, Week 3". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  20. ↑ Azharie, Farah (22 August 2021). "Super League title virtually in JDT's grasp as Terengganu falter | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  21. ↑ Rajan, K. (25 August 2021). "Kedah subdue 10-man PJ City to stay in Super League hunt | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  22. ↑ "Kedah finish second in Super League after routing Melaka United". Malay Mail. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  23. ↑ "عطايا في الإمارات.. عقد لمباراة واحدة". lebanonfg.com. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  24. ↑ "Match Report of Ajman Club vs Emirates CSC - 2022-01-08 - ADNOC Pro League - Global Sports Archive". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  25. ↑ "عطايا يعود إلى العهد اللبناني". كووورة. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  26. ↑ "بالصور.. ربيع عطايا يوقع للنجمة". كووورة. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  27. ↑ "Rabih ATAYA, international libanais, de l'expérience dans l'animation de jeu et sur les côtés. Une année avec le TPM" (in French). TP Mazembe. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023 – via Facebook.
  28. ↑ "Lebanon 1–4 Egypt". Football Database. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  29. ↑ Jabra, James (12 May 2012). "Egypt deal 4–1 blow to Lebanon". The Daily Star. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  30. ↑ "AC2019 Final Squads". Asian Football Confederation. p. 19. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  31. ↑ "The final 23: who are they?". Lebanese Football Review. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  32. ↑ Afiouni, Nadim (1 December 2021). "Lebanon open their Arab Cup campaign against African giants Egypt". Lebanese Football Review. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  33. ↑ "Rabih Ataya". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  34. ↑ "محمد حيدر والنيجيري كابيروموسى الافضل في مهرجان كرة المنار الـ20". An-Nahar. 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  35. ↑ "معتوق ومرمر الأفضل هذا الموسم بحسب مهرجان المنار الـ 23". Mulhak (in Arabic). Retrieved 12 June 2019.
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