Muhieddine Itani

Muhieddine Abdul Razzak Itani (; 6 September 1929 – 5 August 2015), also known as Tabello , was a Lebanese footballer who played as a full-back.

In the early 1950s, Itani began his senior club career at Nejmeh, helping the team gain promotion to the Lebanese Premier League. In 1959, he moved to Racing Beirut, who won the league in the 1964–65 season, before playing for Tadamon Beirut. He then returned to Nejmeh, where he was the top goalscorer in the Lebanese Premier League in the 1968–69 season. Itani also played for Lebanon at international level, representing the country in the Arab Cup in the 1960s.

Itani was known for his technique and agility, as well as for his skill in controlling the ball in unconventional ways. He was an ambidextrous, offensive full-back who was capable of playing on both flanks. Despite being only tall, Itani could jump to reach high balls. He was also known for his off-field antics; he would play practical jokes, especially on trips abroad with his teams.

Early life Muhieddine Itani was born in Ras Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon, on 6 September 1929. In the winters, he spent time fishing with his father Abdul Razzak and in the summers he went swimming. His father would send him to Sheikh Mohammed Itani to learn to read, write, and memorize the Quran. Itani said that his training sessions with Chance developed him as a footballer and he learned the fundamentals of the sport. Itani's first game in the Premier League ended in a 3–0 win against Racing Beirut in which he scored a penalty kick. In the 1960s, Itani moved to Tadamon Beirut,

International career

Despite playing in the Lebanese Second Division with Nejmeh in the early 1950s, Itani attracted the attention of the Lebanese national team coach and was called up. Itani was part of the team that played in the 1963 Arab Cup, which was held in Lebanon; he played in the opening game of the tournament, a 6–0 win over Kuwait, and scored an own goal for Tunisia in a game that ended in a 1–0 defeat.

Itani's most memorable game was a 1–0 win against Libya on 8 March 1964, at the 1964 Tripoli Fair Tournament. He scored the game's only goal through a penalty kick in the final minute. During the 1961 Pan Arab Games, held in Morocco, the national team manager Joseph Nalbandian promised each player he would receive US$3 for every day spent in the tournament. Itani stripped naked in front of a balcony on the third floor of the University of Casablanca, where the national team was residing during the tournament. The Lebanese players were annoyed by the mizmar player and asked Itani to ask him to leave. Itani started dancing next to him and put his hand below the musician's skirt. The mizmar player continued to play while jumping up and down; the players were overwhelmed with laughter.

In 1959, as part of his transfer to Racing Beirut, Itani was hired by the Regie Company. In 1970, Itani established a fish shop in the Commodore area of Hamra, Beirut; in the 1990s he moved to the city's Karakas neighborhood and opened a fish shop called "Al Kalaa Fishery" . Itani's favourite players were Mahmoud Berjawi and Mardek Chabarian in Lebanon, and Pelé globally. His favourite coach was Ion Bogdan during his time at Racing Beirut.

Itani, who had eight children, died on 5 August 2015 aged 85.

Honours Nejmeh Lebanese Second Division: 1950–51

Racing Beirut Lebanese Premier League: 1964–65

Lebanon Arab Cup third place: 1963

Individual Lebanese Premier League top goalscorer: 1968–69