{{short description|Lebanese international football player and manager (born 1974)}} {{Use dmy dates|date = April 2019}} {{Family name hatnote|Ali|Hojeij|lang=Lebanese}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Moussa Hojeij | image = 2020-21 Nejmeh vs Salam Zgharta 24 (cropped).jpg | caption = Hojeij with [[Nejmeh SC|Nejmeh]] in 2020 | fullname = Moussa Ali Hojeij<ref name=GSA/> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|08|06|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Chyah]], Lebanon<ref name=GSA>{{GSA player|moussa-hjeij/253834|access-date=2020-11-15}}</ref> | height = 1.74 m | position = [[Attacking midfielder]] | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = 1993–1994 | youthclubs1 = [[Nejmeh SC|Nejmeh]] | years1 = 1994–2006 | clubs1 = [[Nejmeh SC|Nejmeh]] | caps1 = | goals1 = 75 | years2 = 2006–2008 | clubs2 = [[Al Mabarra Club|Mabarra]] | caps2 = | goals2 = 2 | years3 = 2008–2009 | clubs3 = [[Al Khoyol FC|Khoyol]] | caps3 = | goals3 = | years4 = 2009–2011 | clubs4 = [[Shabab Al Sahel FC|Shabab Sahel]] | caps4 = | goals4 = 1 | years5 = 2011–2013 | clubs5 = [[Nejmeh SC|Nejmeh]] | caps5 = 30 | goals5 = 4 | totalcaps = ? | totalgoals = 82 | nationalyears1 = 1996–2002 | nationalteam1 = [[Lebanon national football team|Lebanon]] | nationalcaps1 = 39 | nationalgoals1 = 6 | manageryears1 = 2012–2014 | managerclubs1 = [[Nejmeh SC|Nejmeh]] | manageryears2 = 2014 | managerclubs2 = [[Al Nabi Chit SC|Nabi Chit]] | manageryears3 = 2015 | managerclubs3 = [[Racing Club Beirut|Racing Beirut]] | manageryears4 = 2015–2016 | managerclubs4 = [[Shabab Al Sahel FC|Shabab Sahel]] | manageryears5 = 2016–2017 | managerclubs5 = [[Racing Club Beirut|Racing Beirut]] | manageryears6 = 2017 | managerclubs6 = [[Al Ahed FC|Ahed]] | manageryears7 = 2017–2018 | managerclubs7 = [[AC Tripoli|Tripoli]] | manageryears8 = 2018 | managerclubs8 = [[Nejmeh SC|Nejmeh]] | manageryears9 = 2020–2021 | managerclubs9 = [[Nejmeh SC|Nejmeh]] | manageryears10 = 2022 | managerclubs10 = [[Nejmeh SC|Nejmeh]] | manageryears11 = 2023 | managerclubs11 = [[Safa SC|Safa]] | manageryears12 = 2023–2024 | managerclubs12 = [[Al Ahly SC Nabatieh|Ahly Nabatieh]] | manageryears13 = 2024 | managerclubs13 = [[Tadamon Sour SC|Tadamon Sour]] }} '''Moussa Ali Hojeij''' ({{Langx|ar|موسى علي حجيج}}; born 6 August 1974) is a Lebanese [[Association football|football]] manager and former player.
Hojeij was the best player in the [[Al-Manar Football Festival]] several times,<ref>{{Citation|last=wissam Bleik|title=مهرجان كرة المنار الرابع:موسم 1999/2000|date=2012-07-13|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4SnLCnyGFA| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110185306/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4SnLCnyGFA| archive-date=2020-01-10 | url-status=dead|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref> and was [[Captain (association football)|captain]] of the [[Lebanon national football team|national team]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/sport/2002/12/20/السعودية-تتخطى-لبنان-وسوريا-تخسر-في-كأس-العرب|title=السعودية تتخطى لبنان وسوريا تخسر في كأس العرب|website=www.aljazeera.net|language=ar|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref> He is also a match analyst for Lebanon national team matches on [[BeIN Sports (Middle East TV network)|beIN Sports]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=الدوري اللبناني|date=7 March 2019|title=وثائقي قناة bein sports عن أسطورة نادي النجمة والمدرب الحالي موسى حجيج|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq9ltW6Umwk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/dq9ltW6Umwk| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=21 June 2020|website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
== Club career == Hojeij joined Nejmeh's youth team on 26 February 1993.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 November 2005|title=First Team List 2005/2006 [PENDING]|url=http://www.nejmeh.com/teams/firstteam-present.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051126044256/http://www.nejmeh.com/teams/firstteam-present.html|archive-date=26 November 2005|access-date=9 May 2021|website=[[Nejmeh SC]]}}</ref> In 2000, Hojeij became the first captain to win the [[Lebanese Premier League]] title for [[Nejmeh SC|Nejmeh]] after the [[Lebanese Civil War|civil war]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}
In 2006 he was released by Nejmeh after scoring a total of 75 league goals,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=3258740|title=منتديات كووورة|website=forum.kooora.com|date=14 January 2007 |access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref> and signed with [[Al Mabarra FC|Mabarra]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2020-04-03 |title=موسى حجيج.. أسطورة محفورة في تاريخ لبنان |url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=914402 |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=كووورة}}</ref> In 2008 Hojeij signed for [[Lebanese Second Division]] club [[Al Khoyol FC|Khoyol]],<ref name=":1" /> and in the summer of 2009 he signed with [[Shabab Al Sahel FC|Shabab Sahel]].<ref name=":1" /> Hojeij returned to Nejmeh in 2011, retiring in 2013.<ref name=":1" />
== International career == Hojeij equalised in the 76th minute against [[Iraq national football team|Iraq]] at the [[2000 AFC Asian Cup]] through a [[Free kick (association football)|free kick]], to bring the score to 2–2.<ref name=":1" />
== Managerial career ==
=== Early career === Hojeij began his managerial career in 2012, as a [[player-coach]] for Nejmeh.<ref name=":1" /> He became head coach of [[Al Nabi Chit SC|Nabi Chit]] in 2014, who terminated his contract after matchday four.<ref name=":1" /> Hojeij was then appointed head coach of [[Racing Club Beirut|Racing Beirut]] in the second half of the season, saving them from relegation.<ref name=":1" />
In the [[2015–16 Lebanese Premier League|2015–16 season]], he took charge of [[Shabab Al Sahel FC|Shabab Sahel]], before returning to Racing the following season, with whom he won the [[Lebanese Challenge Cup]].<ref name=":1" />
=== Ahed === In 2017, [[Al Ahed FC|Ahed]] appointed Hojeij as head coach; he most notably helped them beat [[Zamalek SC|Zamalek]] of Egypt in the [[2017 Arab Club Championship]], and winning the [[Lebanese Super Cup]] against [[Al Ansar FC|Ansar]].<ref name=":1" /> On 18 December 2017, Hojeij was appointed head coach of [[AC Tripoli|Tripoli]] for the second leg of the season, finishing in eighth place after six wins, seven draws and nine defeats.<ref>{{Cite web|title=حدث في مثل هذا اليوم {{!}} بوكير يعود إلى لبنان والاتحاد يُعاقب جمهور النجمة|url=http://lebanonfg.com/single/2413|access-date=2020-12-18|website=lebanonfg.com|language=en}}</ref>
=== Returns to Nejmeh === Hojeij returned as head coach of Nejmeh in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.annahar.com/article/913548-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%89-%D8%AD%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%A8-4-%D8%B3%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA|title=موسى حجيج الى النجمة... بعد غياب 4 سنوات|date=2018-12-11|website=An-Nahar|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> On 29 June 2020, Hojeij was appointed manager of [[Nejmeh SC|Nejmeh]] for the third time, after having coached them between 2011 and 2013, and in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mahfoud|first=Maroun|date=2020-06-29|title=Official: Moussa Hojeij returns to Nejmeh SC|url=https://www.falebanon.com/official-moussa-hojeij-returns-to-nejmeh-sc/|access-date=2020-06-30|website=FA Lebanon|language=en-US}}</ref>
He returned to the helm of Nejmeh once again, in February 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-02-15|title=رسميا.. موسى حجيج مدربا للنجمة|url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=1113602|access-date=2022-02-16|website=كووورة}}</ref> After insulting the Lebanese Football Association (LFA) and its president, following a red card received by Nejmeh during a league match against [[Safa SC|Safa]] on 3 April, the LFA suspended Hojeij for one year, and fined him [[Lebanese pound|£L]]25 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-04 |title=إيقاف مدرب النجمة لمدة عام |url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=1127949 |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=كووورة}}</ref> The LFA extended the suspension to two years on 11 April.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-11 |title=مضاعفة عقوبة موسى حجيج.. وتغريم البرج |url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=1129912 |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=كووورة}}</ref>
=== Safa and Tadamon Sour === On 9 January 2023, Hojeij was appointed head coach of Safa.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-09 |title=تأكيدا لكووورة.. الصفاء يعين حجيج مديرا فنيا |url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=1203935 |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=كووورة}}</ref> He became coach of [[Tadamon Sour SC|Tadamon Sour]] in 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.elsport.com/news/show/725555/%D8%AD%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%AC-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%86 | title=حجيج مدربا للتضامن }}</ref>
== Presidential career == On 10 June 2021, Hojeij announced his candidacy to become president of the [[Lebanese Football Association]]; the only other candidate was incumbent president Hashem Haidar.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2021-06-10|title=حجيج يعلن ترشحه لرئاسة اتحاد الكرة بلبنان|url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=1039005|access-date=2021-07-05|website=كووورة}}</ref> The elections took place on 29 June in [[Beirut]],<ref name=":0" /> with Haidar winning by 40 votes to 4.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-02|title=موسى حجيج يقرر الطعن على انتخابات الاتحاد اللبناني|url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=1045800|access-date=2021-07-05|website=كووورة}}</ref>
== Honours ==
=== Player === '''Nejmeh''' * [[Lebanese Premier League]]: [[1999–2000 Lebanese Premier League|1999–00]], [[2001–02 Lebanese Premier League|2001–02]], [[2003–04 Lebanese Premier League|2003–04]], [[2004–05 Lebanese Premier League|2004–05]] * [[Lebanese FA Cup]]: 1996–97, 1997–98, [[2011–12 Lebanese FA Cup|2011–12]] * [[Lebanese Elite Cup]]: 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 * [[Lebanese Super Cup]]: 2000, 2002, 2004 * [[AFC Cup]] runner-up: [[2005 AFC Cup|2005]]
'''Mabarra''' * Lebanese FA Cup: [[2007–08 Lebanese FA Cup|2007–08]]
'''Individual''' * [[IFFHS]] All-time Lebanon Men's Dream Team<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 February 2022|title=IFFHS Men's All Time Lebanon Dream Team|url=https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/1659|access-date=8 February 2022|publisher=[[IFFHS]]}}</ref> * [[Lebanese Premier League Best Player]]: [[1999–2000 Lebanese Premier League|1999–2000]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=10 April 2000|title=مهرجان كرة المنار|edition=328|pages=13|work=Shoot}}</ref> [[2001–02 Lebanese Premier League|2001–02]]<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 June 2002|title=مهرجان كرة المنار|edition=440|pages=23|work=Shoot}}</ref> * [[Lebanese Premier League Fans' Best Player]]: [[1998–99 Lebanese Premier League|1998–99]], 2000–01, 2002–03 * [[Lebanese Premier League Best Goal]]: [[2002–03 Lebanese Premier League|2002–03]]<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 July 2003|title=مهرجان كرة المنار|edition=498|pages=16|work=Shoot}}</ref> * [[Lebanese Premier League Team of the Season]]: [[1996–97 Lebanese Premier League|1996–97]],<ref name=":1997">{{Cite news|date=31 March 1997|title=|script-title=ar:مهرجان كرة المنار|language=ar|edition=166|pages=3|work=Shoot}}</ref> [[1997–98 Lebanese Premier League|1997–98]],<ref name=":1998">{{Cite news|date=8 June 1998|title=|script-title=ar:مهرجان كرة المنار|language=ar|edition=232|pages=4|work=Shoot}}</ref> [[1998–99 Lebanese Premier League|1998–99]],<ref name=":1999">{{Cite news|date=5 July 1999|title=|script-title=ar:مهرجان كرة المنار|language=ar|edition=288|pages=8|work=Shoot}}</ref> [[1999–2000 Lebanese Premier League|1999–2000]],<ref name=":2000">{{Cite news|date=10 April 2000|title=|script-title=ar:مهرجان كرة المنار|language=ar|edition=328|pages=13|work=Shoot}}</ref> [[2000–01 Lebanese Premier League|2000–01]],<ref name=":2001">{{Cite news|date=30 April 2001|title=|script-title=ar:مهرجان كرة المنار|language=ar|edition=383|pages=15|work=Shoot}}</ref> [[2001–02 Lebanese Premier League|2001–02]],<ref name=":2002">{{Cite news|date=3 June 2002|title=|script-title=ar:مهرجان كرة المنار|language=ar|edition=440|pages=23|work=Shoot}}</ref> [[2002–03 Lebanese Premier League|2002–03]],<ref name=":2003">{{Cite news|date=4 July 2003|title=|script-title=ar:مهرجان كرة المنار|language=ar|edition=498|pages=16|work=Shoot}}</ref> [[2003–04 Lebanese Premier League|2003–04]],<ref name=":2004">{{Cite web|date=18 August 2004|script-title=ar:البرازيلي أديلسون أفضل لاعب في استفتاء المنار للبطولة الأخيرة في بيروت|url=https://www.saba.ye/ar/news76330.htm|access-date=10 February 2022|website=saba.ye|language=ar}}</ref> [[2004–05 Lebanese Premier League|2004–05]]<ref name=":2005">{{Cite news|date=20 June 2005|title=|script-title=ar:مهرجان كرة المنار|language=ar|edition=599|pages=13|work=Shoot}}</ref>
=== Manager === '''Shabab Sahel''' * [[Lebanese Challenge Cup]]: 2015
'''Racing Beirut''' * Lebanese Challenge Cup: 2016
'''Nejmeh''' * Lebanese FA Cup runner-up: [[2020–21 Lebanese FA Cup|2020–21]]
'''Individual''' * [[Lebanese Premier League Best Coach]]: [[2011–12 Lebanese Premier League|2011–12]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=...مهرجان كرة المنار يختار نجارين|url=http://www.sport.almanar.com.lb/adetails.php?fromval=1&cid=23&frid=23&eid=45979|access-date=13 May 2019|website=www.sport.almanar.com.lb|archive-date=26 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026154338/https://www.sport.almanar.com.lb/adetails.php?fromval=1&cid=23&frid=23&eid=45979|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==See also== * [[List of Lebanon international footballers]]
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{FA Lebanon player|23746}} * {{NFT player}} * {{Soccerway|id=214979|archive=20241206031442}} * {{Scorebar|214979}} * {{FBref}} * {{Goalzz}}
{{Lebanon squad 2000 AFC Asian Cup}} {{Navboxes | title = Awards | bg = gold | fg = navy | list1 = {{1996–97 Lebanese Premier League Team of the Year}} {{1997–98 Lebanese Premier League Team of the Year}} {{1998–99 Lebanese Premier League Team of the Year}} {{1999–2000 Lebanese Premier League Team of the Year}} {{2000–01 Lebanese Premier League Team of the Year}} {{2001–02 Lebanese Premier League Team of the Year}} {{2002–03 Lebanese Premier League Team of the Year}} {{2003–04 Lebanese Premier League Team of the Year}} {{2004–05 Lebanese Premier League Team of the Year}} {{Lebanese Premier League Best Player}} {{Lebanese Premier League Best Coach}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hojeij, Moussa}} [[Category:1974 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Footballers from Beirut]] [[Category:Lebanese men's footballers]] [[Category:Men's association football midfielders]] [[Category:Nejmeh SC players]] [[Category:Al Mabarra Club players]] [[Category:Al Khoyol FC players]] [[Category:Shabab Al Sahel FC players]] [[Category:Lebanese Premier League players]] [[Category:Lebanese Second Division players]] [[Category:Lebanon men's international footballers]] [[Category:Asian Games footballers for Lebanon]] [[Category:Footballers at the 1998 Asian Games]] [[Category:2000 AFC Asian Cup players]] [[Category:Lebanese football managers]] [[Category:Lebanese football coaches]] [[Category:Nejmeh SC managers]] [[Category:Shabab Baalbek SC managers]] [[Category:Racing Club Beirut managers]] [[Category:Shabab Al Sahel FC managers]] [[Category:Al Ahed FC managers]] [[Category:AC Tripoli managers]] [[Category:Safa SC managers]] [[Category:Tadamon SC Sour managers]] [[Category:Lebanese Premier League managers]]