Karim Ziani

Though diminutive in stature, Ziani more than makes up for his lack of physicality with his technique and never-say-die spirit.

Ziani had stunned many people in 2003 in his choice to represent Algeria instead of France. Ziani made his debut for the Algerian national team in 2003 when he was called up by Belgian caretaker Georges Leekens for a friendly against Belgium. He represented Algeria at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, as they finished second in their group before losing to Morocco in the quarter-finals. He was also named in that year's Team of the Tournament. Ziani scored his first goal in a 1–0 win against the Gambia in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification phase. He then added two more goals to his tally in a 3–0 win against Liberia in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as Algeria advanced to the final tournament in South Africa. He also performed well at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ziani began his football career in 1995 with the junior side of Racing Club de Paris at the age of 13.

Troyes

In 1998, Ziani was spotted by scouts from Troyes and was subsequently brought into their youth academy. Playing for the youth team there garnered a significant amount of keen admirers interested in him, including the likes of Lens and Nantes. In 2001, having spent three seasons playing with the youth team and because of the level of interest, the president of Troyes offered Ziani a five-year deal, which in turn was his first professional contract. With Ziani agreeing to a five-year deal, he was immediately promoted to the senior squad by Alain Perrin at the age of 17 and was assigned the number 17 shirt. He made his professional debut on 8 December 2001 against SC Bastia coming on as a substitute, replacing David Hamed in the 72nd minute. After making a few substitute appearances, he made his first start on 3 March 2002 in a 1–0 loss to Lille, playing the entire match, adding up to a total of eight in the 2001–02 season. He became a regular in the 2002–03 season as he participated in a total of 24 games. After subsequently spending two seasons playing for Troyes in Ligue 1, the club was relegated to Ligue 2 at the end of the 2002–03 season. Whilst in Ligue 2, during the 2003–04 season, Ziani played 28 games in total and scored his first professional goal against FC Rouen, in the 9th minute with the score ending 3–0. He spent the following season mostly on…

Ziani was born in Sèvres, France to an Algerian father from Béjaïa and a French mother. Ziani is married and has two children: a girl, Lina and a boy, Kaïs. Ziani has a twin sister by the name of Karima who is married to fellow Algerian international Antar Yahia.