Philippe Julien Albert (born 10 August 1967) is a Belgian former professional footballer and television pundit.
As a player he was a defender. He played for Charleroi, KV Mechelen and Anderlecht in his native Belgium, and for English clubs Newcastle United and Fulham. It was at Newcastle that he became known as an attack-minded centre-back for his forward runs from defence in the team dubbed as "the Entertainers".
Albert made 41 appearances for the Belgium national team from 1987 to 1997, and represented his country at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.
Club career Albert started his career with Charleroi before moving to KV Mechelen where his performances won him Belgian Golden Shoe and a move to Anderlecht. While playing at Anderlecht, he won the Belgian League twice and helped his national side qualify for the 1994 World Cup.
Albert's exploits at the World Cup earned him a £2.6 million transfer to Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United; he was issued the number 27 shirt, and completed the transfer on his 27th birthday. He later claimed he turned down moves to Italian clubs Juventus and Fiorentina the year before as he did not like the hot climate or having to play on Sundays, and moved to Newcastle as he was a fan of Keegan and the team he played for, Liverpool, in his youth. He was an immediate success in the side as he helped them win their first six league games of the 1994–95 season, but missed the later stages of the season through injury and Newcastle finished sixth – not even enough for a UEFA Cup place. He became a cult hero at Newcastle United due to his less-than-defensive tendencies in "the Entertainers'" central defence, would often make runs forward and be found roaming on the edge of the opposition box. His most famous moment arguably came when he scored an audacious chip from 20 yards over Peter Schmeichel in a 5–0 win over Manchester United on 20 October 1996.
Fans at Newcastle created a terrace chant for the player, singing "Phillipe, Phillipe Albert, everyone knows his name" to the words of the theme song of 1970s children's TV series The Adventures of Rupert Bear.
Injuries towards the end of the decade limited his first-team chances and he spent 13 games on loan to third-tier club Fulham (managed at the time by his former Newcastle boss Keegan), scoring twice during the 1998–99 season as they were promoted from Division Two as champions.
On leaving Newcastle in 1999, Albert returned to Belgium, rejoining Charleroi for £600,000. He spent one season with the club before retiring from football.
International career Albert made 41 appearances for the Belgium national team, making his debut in 1987, but came to worldwide prominence at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. There he played in four of Belgium's matches, scoring against the Netherlands in his first game and against Germany in the second round match, which Belgium lost 3–2.
Post-playing career Albert is now working as a pundit for Belgian TV, and also runs a successful fruit and vegetable company.
Career statistics Source:
Club +Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueDivisionAppsGoalsRoyal Charleroi1985–86Belgian First Division501986–87Belgian First Division2721987–88Belgian First Division3251988–89Belgian First Division332Total979K.V. Mechelen1989–90Belgian First Division2201990–91Belgian First Division3241991–92Belgian First Division332Total876Anderlecht1992–93Belgian First Division2551993–94Belgian First Division254Total509Newcastle United1994–95Premier League1721995–96Premier League2341996–97Premier League2721997–98Premier League2301998–99Premier League60Total968Fulham1998–99Football League132Total132Royal Charleroi1999–2000Belgian First Division131Total131Career total35635
National team +Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBelgium198710198810198930199040199160199272199351199492199500199630199720Total415
+List of international goals scored by Philippe AlbertCapDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition11725 March 1992Parc des Princes, Paris, France1–0 Friendly2193 June 1992Svangaskarð, Toftir, Faroe Islands1–0 1994 World Cup qualification32313 February 1993Makario Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus3–0 1994 World Cup qualification43125 June 1994Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, United States1–0 1994 FIFA World Cup5332 July 1994Soldier Field, Chicago, United States2–3 1994 FIFA World Cup
Honours KV Mechelen
Belgian First Division: 1988–89 European Super Cup: 1988 Amsterdam Tournament: 1989 Joan Gamper Trophy: 1989 Jules Pappaert Cup: 1990
Anderlecht Belgian First Division: 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94 Belgian Cup: 1993–94 Belgian Super Cup: 1993
Newcastle United FA Cup runner-up: 1997–98
Fulham Football League Second Division: 1998–99
Individual Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year: 1991–92 Belgian Golden Shoe: 1992 Ballon 'd Or nomination: 1994 Greatest Newcastle United XI: 2017 DH Best Anderlecht Team Ever: 2020 RBFA 125 Years Icons Team: 2020 Belgian Golden Shoe Hall of Fame: 2025
References
External links
Premier League profile at Belgian FA