Liassine Cadamuro-Bentaïba (born 5 March 1988) is an Algerian professional footballer who plays for Real Sociedad in La Liga and the Algeria national team. A versatile defender, he can operate as a right back, central defender or left back.
Early life
Cadamuro was born in Toulouse, France, to an Italian father and an Algerian mother, originally from Tipaza, Bou Ismaïl.[2]
Club career
At the age of 15, Cadamuro joined FC Sochaux-Montbéliard's youth system, going on to represent the reserve team during three seasons. In the 2008 summer, he moved to Spain and signed for Real Sociedad.
With the Basque, Cadamuro played another three years with the B-team, two in the third division and one in the fourth. He was promoted to the main squad for the 2011–12 season, following the arrival of countryman Philippe Montanier as team manager. On 10 September 2011 he made hisLa Liga debut, replacing Xabier Prieto in the 70th minute of a 2–2 home draw against FC Barcelona.[3]
Cadamuro finished his first season with Real's first team with 19 league appearances (13 starts), helping to a final 12th position. On 2 January 2013 he signed a two-year extension with the club, extending his contract until 2016.[4]
International career
On 7 January 2012, Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodžić was in the stands to supervise Cadamuro in a league match against CA Osasuna.[5] The following day, in an interview with French website FootMercato.net, the player stated that his intentions have always been to represent Algeria in international competition, despite also having the option to play for France and Italy.[6]
On 10 February 2012, Real Sociedad's website announced that Cadamuro was officially called up by Halilhodžić for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nationsqualifier against Gambia.[7] Five days later, the Algerian Football Federation confirmed the information,[8] and he made his debut on the 29th, starting in the 2–1 win.
 Cadamuro with Real Sociedad in 2012 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Liassine Cadamuro-Bentaïba | ||
| Date of birth | 5 March 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Toulouse, France | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Real Sociedad | ||
| Number | 19 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2003–2008 | Sochaux | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2008–2011 | Real Sociedad B | 80 | (3) |
| 2011– | Real Sociedad | 23 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2012– | Algeria | 5 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 2 June 2013 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 00:00, 23 January 2013 (UTC) | |||
