Nabil Ghilas stars for SC Berre in National 2

Former Algeria international Nabil Ghilas is starring in the French amateur divisions for SC Berre, scoring seven goals in five National 2 matches this season after previously featuring in the UEFA Champions League with FC Porto. It was reported that the 36-year-old forward returned to the sport in 2023 following a year-long hiatus, joining a family-led project at the club where his cousin, Elias Taguelmint, serves as sporting director.

From Porto to Regional 2

Ghilas initially thought his playing days were over after spending more than a year without a club. “Honestly, I didn’t want to hear about the ball anymore, I was completely at the end of my career,” Ghilas explained, detailing how his cousin convinced him to re-lace his boots for SC Berre while the team still competed in Régional 2. The Marseille native had previously climbed from amateur side Cassis-Carnoux in 2009-2010 to Portuguese outfit Moreirense FC, before eventually reaching Porto and appearing in the Champions League in 2013.

Recruiting Professional Experience

Upon joining the project, Ghilas used his contacts to help recruit several former professional players to the Bouches-du-Rhône club. David Gigliotti, formerly of Monaco, joined the squad alongside Yohan Mollo and former Algeria teammate Liassine Cadamuro. The club also added Lamine Gassama. Ghilas explained that the team operates as a family venture, noting that his cousin played for Marseille Consolat for a decade prior to helping restructure Berre alongside municipal officials.

Climbing the French League Pyramid

The sporting transformation produced immediate statistical output on the pitch. During the 2023–24 campaign in Régional 2, Ghilas scored 11 goals as Berre finished second behind Martigues. The following season, the forward scored 36 goals, accounting for roughly 80% of his team’s total scoring output. After earning promotion to National 2 in May, Ghilas added 28 goals in R1 play before continuing his form into the current tier.

SC Berre currently sits at the top of its National 2 group with five wins from five matches, competing against reserve sides from Montpellier, Marseille, and ASSE. Ghilas recorded a hat-trick in a 6-0 victory over Mandelieu, bringing his tally to seven goals in five league appearances and placing him ahead of Antoine Valero as the group’s leading scorer.

Providing a Second Chance for Young Players

Beyond his individual goalscoring figures, Ghilas views the club as an alternative pathway for young footballers who were released by professional academies or faced disciplinary hurdles. “For me, it’s the school of the second chance,” Ghilas stated, noting that the veteran contingent aims to guide younger squad members. The team made the choice to make an impasse on the Coupe de France.