{{short description|Moroccan footballer (born 1981)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Monsef Zerka | image = Zerka.jpg | image_size = 270 | caption = Monsef Zerka | fullname = | height = 1.83 m | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|8|30|df=yes}} | birth_place = Orléans, France | currentclub = | clubnumber = | position = Midfielder, winger, forward | youthyears1 = 1994–2001 | youthclubs1 = Nancy | years1 = 2001–2009 | clubs1 = Nancy | caps1 = 176 | goals1 = 17 | years2 = 2009–2011 | clubs2 = Nantes | caps2 = 35 | goals2 = 2 | years3 = 2011 | clubs3 = Iraklis | caps3 = 9 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2011 | clubs4 = New England Revolution | caps4 = 7 | goals4 = 2 | years5 = 2012 | clubs5 = Petrolul Ploieşti | caps5 = 12 | goals5 = 2 | years6 = 2013–2014 | clubs6 = Tanjong Pagar | caps6 = 48 | goals6 = 21 | totalcaps = 287 | totalgoals = 44 | nationalyears1 = 2004 | nationalteam1 = Morocco U23 | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2001–2008 | nationalteam2 = Morocco | nationalcaps2 = 10 | nationalgoals2 = 2 }} '''Monsef Zerka''' ({{langx|ar|منصف زرقا}}, born 30 August 1981) is a former professional footballer. He originally played as a striker, but throughout his career he has also played as a fullback and as a midfielder. Born in France, he represented Morocco at international level.
==Club career== ===Nancy=== Zerka was born in Orléans. After playing for US Orléans as a youngster, Zerka was signed by Nancy on the recommendation of his coach Jacques Quéré. He completed the final years of his apprenticeship at Nancy before making his debut in 2001. He debuted in a 4–0 home win against Caen, coming in as a late substitute in the 83rd minute.
Before finally signing professional forms (initially a three-year contract) with Nancy in August 2002, Zerka had made his debut for the Morocco national team.
After playing in various positions over the years, Zerka proved effective in a forward role in Nancy's first season back in the top flight, scoring 6 goals in 24 appearances and continued in this position in 2006–07. He left AS Nancy in the summer of 2009, after playing 173 league matches for the club and scoring 17 goals. In Ligue 1, he featured in 85 matches and scored 13 goals.
Zerka will be remember by AS Nancy supporters for scoring the first goal of Nancy in the Final of the 2006 Coupe de la Ligue.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=LFP.fr|title=Coupe de la Ligue - Saison 2005-05 - Finale|url=http://www.lfp.fr/coupeLigue/feuille_match/50494|date=22 April 2006|language=French|accessdate=14 January 2011|archive-date=29 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029141416/http://www.lfp.fr/coupeLigue/feuille_match/50494|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was the first major trophy won by the club since the 1978 French Cup.
===Nantes=== On 31 August 2010, Zerka signed for Ligue 2 outfit FC Nantes.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Mercato365|title=Nantes:Zerka a signé|url=http://www.mercato365.com/infos-clubs/nantes/article_344212_Nantes-Zerka-a-signe.shtml|date=31 August 2009|language=French|accessdate=14 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ayari |first1=Rami |title=Nancy's Moncef Zerka Signs For FC Nantes |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2009/09/01/1473666/nancys-moncef-zerka-signs-for-fc-nantes-report |website=Goal.com |accessdate=10 June 2020 |date=1 September 2009}}</ref> Zerka debuted for his new in a 2–1 home win against Racing Strasbourg. He also scored his first goal for Nantes in his debut. It was the 1–1 equalizer, scored in the 22nd minute of the match after an assist by Jean-Claude Darcheville.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Le Figaro|title=La bonne affaire nantaise|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/football/2009/09/14/02003-20090914ARTSPO00643-nantes-enfonce-strasbourg.php|date=14 September 2009|language=French|accessdate=14 January 2011}}</ref> He scored his second, and last, league goal for Nantes in the next match against SC Bastia. It was scored in the 7th minute of the match and it was the opening goal, in a match that ended as a 1–1 draw.<ref name="FCNH">{{cite web |publisher=FCNHisto.fr|title=Bastia 1-1 Nantes|url=http://www.fcnhisto.fr/bastiafcnl20910.html|date=19 September 2009|language=French|accessdate=14 January 2011}}</ref> It was scored after an assist by Djamel Abdoun.<ref name="FCNH"/> In the next season Zerka remained goalless for Nantes in the league. He scored his only goal that season, in a French Cup 4–2 away defeat by US Boulogne. On 7 January 2011, Nantes and Zerka mutually agreed to part ways.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=L'EQUIPE.fr|title=Zerka vers la Grêce|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2011/20110107_174451_zerka-vers-la-grece.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111065137/http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2011/20110107_174451_zerka-vers-la-grece.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 January 2011|date=7 January 2011|language=French|accessdate=14 January 2011}}</ref> During his spell at Nantes Zerka featured in 35 Ligue 2 games, scoring 2 goals.
===Iraklis=== On 14 January 2011, Zerka signed a contract with Super League Greece club Iraklis until the summer of 2012.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Iraklis F.C. Official site|title=IRAKLIS F.C. signed Moncef Zerka|url=http://www.iraklis-fc.gr/shownews08.jsp;jsessionid=2222CE41B711FA5C8521EBE7C02AF2A9?newsCode=20110114145223897&CMCCode=9001&extLang=LG|date=14 January 2011|accessdate=14 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610101625/http://www.iraklis-fc.gr/shownews08.jsp|archive-date=10 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> He debuted for Iraklis on 23 January 2011, as he was in the starting line-up in a 3–0 away defeat by AO Kavala.<ref name="kavala">{{cite web|publisher=Contra.gr|url=http://www.contra.gr/matchStories/306558.html|script-title=el:Καβάλα - Ηρακλής 3-0|date=23 January 2011|language=Greek|accessdate=23 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="superleaguekavala">{{cite web|publisher=Super League Greece Official site |url=http://www.superleaguegreece.net/game/1011145/ |script-title=el:ΚΑΒΑΛΑ - ΗΡΑΚΛΗΣ |date=23 January 2011 |language=Greek |accessdate=23 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125182547/http://www.superleaguegreece.net/game/1011145/ |archivedate=25 January 2011 }}</ref>
===New England Revolution=== Zerka left Iraklis on a mutual agreement after their relegation from the Greek top flight, and he subsequently signed with Major League Soccer club New England Revolution on 18 August 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/2011/08/revs-sign-monsef-zerka |title=Revs sign Monsef Zerka {{!}} New England Revolution |website=www.revolutionsoccer.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310053312/http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/2011/08/revs-sign-monsef-zerka |archive-date=2012-03-10}}</ref> Zerka became one of the few bright spots in the Revolution's dismal<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nesoccertoday.com/?p=10177 |title=Nowhere to Go… |author=O'Connell, Brian |access-date=2 October 2024 |date=10 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2012-new-england-revolution-preview-rebuilding-begins |title=2012 New England Revolution preview: Rebuilding begins |author=McCarthy, Kyle |date=22 February 2012 |access-date=2 October 2024}}</ref> 2011 campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nesoccertoday.com/?p=7986 |title=Wingmen Wanted |author=O'Connell, Brian |date=29 December 2011 |access-date=2 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2011-review-new-england-revolution |title=2011 in Review: New England Revolution |author=McCarthy, Kyle |date=29 November 2011 |access-date=2 October 2024}}</ref> He made his Revolution debut, and scored his first Revolution goal, on 7 September 2011 in a 4-4 draw with the Philadelphia Union.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/soccer/new-england-revolution/revolution-blow-4-1-lead-tie-union-4-4/377576/ |title=Revolution blow 4-1 lead, tie Union 4-4 |date=8 September 2011 |access-date=2 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/revolution-4-union-4 |title=Revolution 4, Union 4 |author=Lemieux, Jeff |access-date=2 October 2024 |date=8 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="2024 Media Guide">{{cite book |title=2024 Media Guide |publisher=New England Revolution|url=https://revolution.1rmg.com/season/2024/media-guide/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322013528/https://revolution.1rmg.com/season/2024/media-guide/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2024-03-22 |access-date=2 October 2024}}</ref> He made his home debut 3 days later in a home win over FC Dallas.<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/> He scored his second and final goal for the Revolution in the final match of the Revolution season, a 2-2 draw at Toronto FC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/revolution-2-toronto-fc-2 |title=Revolution 2, Toronto FC 2 |author=Lemieux, Jeff |date=22 October 2011 |access-date=2 October 2024}}</ref>
The Revolution declined Zerka's contract on 30 November 2011.<ref name = "ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612135826/https://newengland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/media/ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf |url=https://newengland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/media/ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf |title=ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf |archive-date=12 June 2018 |access-date=2 October 2024}}</ref> In seven matches (all starts) Zerka concluded his Revolution career with two goals and an assist.<ref name = "ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf"/>
===Petrolul Ploieşti=== In March 2012, he signed with the Romanian club Petrolul Ploieşti, scoring 2 goals in 12 matches.
===Tanjong Pagar United=== Zerka joined Singapore League (S.League) club Tanjong Pagar United in January 2013. He made his league debut on 22 February 2013 against Balestier Khalsa, scoring a goal in the match that ended 3–1 win to Tanjong Pagar United. On 27 February 2013, in only his second league match, Zerka scored his first career hat-trick against Warriors, which Tanjong Pagar United won 6–1. On 4 October 2013, Zerka scored a hat-trick 2 goals and 1 own goal to helped Tanjong Pagar United become the first team to qualify for the 2013 Singapore Cup.
==International career== Zerka make his debut for Morocco in a friendly match on 14 November 2001 against Zambia.
===2004 Summer Olympics football tournament=== Zerka was a member of the Moroccan squad for the 2004 Summer Olympics football tournament.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=FIFA.com|title=Olympic Football Tournaments Athens 2004 - Men - Teams - Morocco |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=512/edition=8229/teams/team=1889759.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025021814/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=512/edition=8229/teams/team=1889759.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 October 2007|accessdate=15 January 2011}}</ref> He was a starter in Morocco's<ref>{{cite web |publisher=FIFA.com|title=Olympic Football Tournaments Athens 2004 - Men - Match Report - Costa Rica-Morocco |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=512/edition=8229/matches/match=37158/report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225221600/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=512/edition=8229/matches/match=37158/report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 December 2007|accessdate=15 January 2011}}</ref> first match, a 0–0 draw against Costa Rica. In the second match, a 1–2 defeat by Portugal, Zerka was once again a starter, but he was substituted in the 72nd minute by Tajeddine Sami.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=FIFA.com |title=Olympic Football Tournaments Athens 2004 - Men - Match Report - Morocco-Portugal |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=512/edition=8229/matches/match=37161/report.html |accessdate=15 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219055930/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament%3D512/edition%3D8229/matches/match%3D37161/report.html |archivedate=19 December 2011 }}</ref> He watched Morocco's third and last match in the tournament from the bench.<ref name="olympic3">{{cite web|publisher=FIFA.com |title=Olympic Football Tournaments Athens 2004 - Men - Match Report - Morocco-Iraq |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=512/edition=8229/matches/match=37163/report.html |accessdate=15 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808113730/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament%3D512/edition%3D8229/matches/match%3D37163/report.html |archivedate=8 August 2011 }}</ref> The match ended up a 2–1 victory for Morocco, its only victory in the tournament.<ref name="olympic3"/> Morocco got 4 points, equal to those of Costa Rica, but it was eliminated from the tournament, as it had scored fewer goals than Costa Rica.<ref name="olympic4">{{cite web |publisher=FIFA.com|title=Olympic Football Tournaments Athens 2004 - Men - Fixtures and Results |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=512/edition=8229/results/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611223745/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=512/edition=8229/results/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 June 2007|accessdate=15 January 2011}}</ref>
===2008 African Cup of Nations=== Zerka also featured in the Morocco squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana. In the opening match for Morocco, he came in as a substitute for Youssouf Hadji in the 70th minute.<ref name="CAN1">{{cite news |publisher=BBC Sport|title=Namibia Morocco 1-5|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7199286.stm|access-date=15 January 2011|first=Ben|last=Wyatt|date=21 January 2008}}</ref> He managed to score a header for Morocco 4 minutes after his entrance in the game.<ref name="CAN1"/> It was his team's last goal in 1-5 devastation against Namibia and Zerka's first goal for his country.<ref name="CAN1"/> He was a starter in his team's next match, a 3–2 defeat by Guinea, but he was substituted in the 80th minute by El Moubarki.<ref name="CAN2">{{cite news |publisher=BBC Sport|title=Guinea Morocco 3-2|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7205252.stm|access-date=15 January 2011|first=Steve|last=Vickers|date=24 January 2008}}</ref> In the next match Morocco had to compete against host nation Ghana. Zerka came in as a substitute for Aboucherouane in the 55th minute of the match, but he was unable to help his team overturn Ghana's 2–0 lead.<ref name="CAN3">{{cite news |publisher=BBC Sport|title=Ghana Morocco 2-0|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7212088.stm|access-date=15 January 2011|first=Steve|last=Vickers|date=28 January 2008}}</ref> Morocco finished 3rd in its group and was eliminated.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Confederation of African Football|title=Africa Cup of Nations past competitions, 2008|url=http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations_2012/pastcomp/2008|accessdate=15 January 2011}}</ref>
==== International goals ==== {| class="wikitable" !No !Date !Venue !Opponent !Score !Result !Competition |- | align="center" |1 |21 January 2008 |Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana |{{fb|NAM}} | align="center" |1–'''5''' | align="center" |1–5 |2008 Africa Cup of Nations |- | align="center" |2 |20 August 2008 |Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh, Morocco |{{fb|MAC}} | align="center" |'''3'''–1 | align="center" |3–1 |Friendly |}
==Honours== '''Nancy''' * Ligue 2: 2004–05 * Coupe de la Ligue: 2006<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ogcnice.com/fr/article/2893/nancy-nice-compo-des-equipes.html |title=Nancy - Nice : compo des équipes |publisher=ogcnice.com |date=22 April 2006 |access-date=27 February 2024}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{LFP|zerka-monsef|name=Monsef Zerka}} * {{Soccerway|monsef-zerka/1221|Monsef Zerka}} * {{RomanianSoccer|2301/moncef-zerka|Moncef Zerka}} * {{NFT|4503|Moncef Zerka}} * [https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Monsef-zerka-le-z-je-ne-pouvais-pas-le-breveter-parce-que-ca-appartenait-a-zorro/654437 Monsef Zerka Interview]
{{Tanjong Pagar United FC}} {{Morocco men's football squad 2004 Summer Olympics}} {{Morocco Squad 2008 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{portal bar|Association football|Morocco}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zerka, Monsef}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Moroccan men's footballers Category:21st-century Moroccan sportsmen Category:Morocco men's international footballers Category:French men's footballers Category:French sportspeople of Moroccan descent Category:Men's association football forwards Category:AS Nancy Lorraine players Category:FC Nantes players Category:Iraklis F.C. (Thessaloniki) players Category:New England Revolution players Category:FC Petrolul Ploiești players Category:Ligue 1 players Category:Ligue 2 players Category:Super League Greece players Category:Major League Soccer players Category:Liga I players Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Romania Category:Moroccan expatriate sportspeople in Romania Category:Footballers at the 2004 Summer Olympics Category:Olympic footballers for Morocco Category:2006 Africa Cup of Nations players Category:2008 Africa Cup of Nations players Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Singapore Category:Tanjong Pagar United FC players Category:Singapore Premier League players Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Singapore Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Romania Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Greece Category:French expatriate sportspeople in the United States Category:Moroccan expatriate sportspeople in Singapore Category:Moroccan expatriate sportspeople in Greece Category:Moroccan expatriate sportspeople in the United States Category:French expatriate men's footballers Category:21st-century French sportsmen