Youcef Belaïli is one of North Africa’s most talented and celebrated footballers.
This article breaks down everything you need to know — his Youcef Belaïli net worth, salary history, current contract, career earnings, and the journey that made him the highest-paid player in Algerian league history.
Youcef Belaïli’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mohamed Youcef Belaïli |
| Date of Birth | 14 March 1992 |
| Age | 34 years old |
| Nationality | Algerian |
| Place of Birth | Oran, Algeria |
| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | 75 kg |
| Position | Left Winger |
| Current Club | Espérance de Tunis |
| Turned Professional | 2009 |
| Net Worth | ~$5 million (estimated) |
| Current Weekly Salary | ~€7,500–€9,000 (estimated, Tunisian league) |
| Relationship Status | Private |
| Social Media | Active on Instagram (@belaili_youcef) |
Early Life & Career
Youcef Belaïli grew up in Oran, Algeria, a city with a rich football culture. He took his first steps in organized football with RCG Oran before moving to MC Oran’s youth academy.
His raw pace, dribbling ability, and instinct for goal marked him out from an early age.
He broke into senior football at CA Bordj Bou Arréridj in the 2009–10 season, appearing four times in the Algerian Ligue 1.
After just one season, he returned to MC Oran and quickly became an essential piece of their attack.
Over two seasons at MC Oran, he made 43 league appearances and scored 12 goals — a record that drew attention from clubs across North Africa and beyond.
His performances for MC Oran convinced Espérance de Tunis — one of Africa’s most successful clubs — to sign him on a three-year contract worth €2 million in June 2012. That decision kickstarted one of the most eventful careers in African football.
Professional Career
Belaïli made his debut for Espérance de Tunis on 20 July 2012 against ASO Chlef in the CAF Champions League, immediately winning a penalty and providing an assist. He helped the club win the Tunisian Ligue 1 title in his very first partial season.
In 2014, he joined USM Alger on the highest salary in Algerian league history at the time — a monthly salary of 5 million dinars.
His career then hit a serious roadblock when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued him a four-year doping ban after a positive cocaine test in 2015.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced the ban to two years, accepting that Belaïli had unknowingly consumed the substance through a hookah pipe.
He returned to Espérance de Tunis in January 2018 and rebuilt his career spectacularly, winning back-to-back CAF Champions League titles in 2018 and 2019, plus the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria in 2019.
From there he moved to Al Ahli Saudi Arabia, then Qatar SC, then Stade Brestois and Ajaccio in France’s Ligue 1, before returning to Algeria to sign with MC Alger in August 2023 as the highest-paid player in Algerian league history at €1.3 million per year.
His current stint with Espérance de Tunis, where he re-signed in July 2024, saw him score the decisive goal against Los Angeles FC at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Youcef Belaïli’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Youcef Belaïli’s has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
He built this wealth through a long professional career spanning Algeria, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France, and his current club in Tunisia, earning record salaries at multiple stops along the way.
Contract
Belaïli re-joined Espérance de Tunis on 31 July 2024, signing a deal that runs until 30 June 2026.
His transfer fee to Espérance was reported at approximately €0.7 million from MC Alger, according to data available on Transfermarkt.
His current market value sits at approximately €1.5–1.7 million. With his contract set to expire in June 2026, his next move will be closely watched across the African football landscape.
Salary
Belaïli’s salary history reflects a career that climbed steeply in value across different leagues.
During his time at Stade Brestois in Ligue 1 (2021–22), he earned approximately €760,000 annually — around €14,615 per week — according to salary data tracked on AiScore.
His most lucrative deal came at MC Alger (2023–24), where he earned €1.3 million per year, making him the highest-paid player in Algerian league history, as reported by Africa Facts Zone.
His current salary at Espérance de Tunis has not been officially disclosed, but given the club’s wage structure and his status as their marquee player, estimates place it in the range of €400,000–€600,000 per year.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–14 | Espérance de Tunis | Tunisian Ligue 1 | ~€150,000 |
| 2014–15 | USM Alger | Algerian Ligue 1 | ~€180,000 |
| 2018–19 | Espérance de Tunis | Tunisian Ligue 1 | ~€250,000 |
| 2019–20 | Al Ahli Saudi | Saudi Pro League | ~€400,000 (part of $3M+ deal) |
| 2020–22 | Qatar SC | Qatar Stars League | ~€450,000–€500,000 |
| 2021–22 | Stade Brestois | Ligue 1 | €760,000 |
| 2022–23 | Ajaccio | Ligue 1 | ~€540,000 |
| 2023–24 | MC Alger | Algerian Ligue 1 | €1,300,000 |
| 2024–26 | Espérance de Tunis | Tunisian Ligue 1 | ~€500,000 (estimated) |
Career Statistics
| Club | Seasons | League Apps | League Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA Bordj Bou Arréridj | 2009–10 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| MC Oran | 2010–12 | 43 | 12 | 45 | 14 |
| Espérance de Tunis (1st spell) | 2011–14 | 35 | 8 | 53 | 9 |
| USM Alger | 2014–16 | 29 | 9 | 39 | 12 |
| Angers | 2017–18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Espérance de Tunis (2nd spell) | 2017–19 | 20 | 3 | 52 | 13 |
| Al Ahli Saudi | 2019–20 | 13 | 2 | 19 | 6 |
| Qatar SC | 2020–22 | 22 | 15 | 24 | 17 |
| Stade Brestois | 2021–23 | 19 | 3 | 19 | 3 |
| Ajaccio | 2022–23 | 17 | 6 | 17 | 6 |
| MC Alger | 2023–24 | 21 | 14 | 26 | 16 |
| Espérance de Tunis (current) | 2024–26 | 33 | 12 | 52 | 25 |
| Career Total | 256 | 83 | 352 | 121 |
FAQs
What is Youcef Belaïli’s net worth?
Youcef Belaïli’s estimated net worth is around $5 million. He earned this through club contracts across Algeria, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and France — including a record-breaking €1.3 million-per-year deal at MC Alger.
What is Youcef Belaïli’s current salary at Espérance de Tunis?
His current salary at Espérance de Tunis has not been officially disclosed. Based on his previous earning history and his status as the club’s key attacking player, industry estimates place his annual salary in the €400,000–€600,000 range.
Which club paid Belaïli the highest salary in his career?
MC Alger paid him the highest verified salary of his career — €1.3 million per year during the 2023–24 season, making him the highest-paid player in the history of the Algerian Ligue 1.
How many goals has Youcef Belaïli scored in his career?
Belaïli has scored 121 goals in 352 total club appearances across all competitions. He has also scored 10 goals in 58 international appearances for Algeria.
What trophies has Youcef Belaïli won?
His major honors include the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria, the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup, two CAF Champions League titles (2018 and 2019) with Espérance de Tunis, five Tunisian league titles, and the Algerian Ligue 1 title with MC Alger in 2023–24. He also won the African Inter-Club Player of the Year award in 2019.
