Philippe Albert

Philippe Julien Albert (born 10 August 1967) is a Belgian former professional footballer and television pundit.

As a player he was a defender. He played for Charleroi, KV Mechelen and Anderlecht in his native Belgium, and for English clubs Newcastle United and Fulham. It was at Newcastle that he became known as an attack-minded centre-back for his forward runs from defence in the team dubbed as "the Entertainers".

Albert made 41 appearances for the Belgium national team from 1987 to 1997, and represented his country at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.

Club career Albert started his career with Charleroi before moving to KV Mechelen where his performances won him Belgian Golden Shoe and a move to Anderlecht. While playing at Anderlecht, he won the Belgian League twice and helped his national side qualify for the 1994 World Cup.

Albert's exploits at the World Cup earned him a £2.6 million transfer to Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United; he was issued the number 27 shirt, and completed the transfer on his 27th birthday. He became a cult hero at Newcastle United due to his less-than-defensive tendencies in "the Entertainers'" central defence, would often make runs forward and be found roaming on the edge of the opposition box. His most famous moment arguably came when he scored an audacious chip from 20 yards over Peter Schmeichel in a 5–0 win over Manchester United on 20 October 1996.

Fans at Newcastle created a terrace chant for the player, singing "Phillipe, Phillipe Albert, everyone knows his name" to the words of the theme song of 1970s children's TV series The Adventures of Rupert Bear. making his debut in 1987, but came to worldwide prominence at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. There he played in four of Belgium's matches, scoring against the Netherlands in his first game and against Germany in the second round match, which Belgium lost 3–2.

Post-playing career Albert is now working as a pundit for Belgian TV, and also runs a successful fruit and vegetable company.

Career statistics Source:

Club

National team

Honours KV Mechelen

Belgian First Division: 1988–89 European Super Cup: 1988 Amsterdam Tournament: 1989 Joan Gamper Trophy: 1989 Jules Pappaert Cup: 1990

Anderlecht Belgian First Division: 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94 Belgian Cup: 1993–94 Belgian Super Cup: 1993

Newcastle United FA Cup runner-up: 1997–98

Fulham Football League Second Division: 1998–99

Individual Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year: 1991–92 Belgian Golden Shoe: 1992 Ballon 'd Or nomination: 1994 Greatest Newcastle United XI: 2017 DH Best Anderlecht Team Ever: 2020 RBFA 125 Years Icons Team: 2020 Belgian Golden Shoe Hall of Fame: 2025