Today marks the 38th birthday of Marouane Fellaini, one of Belgium’s most recognisable footballers of the past two decades. Fellaini is one of those football figures whose name still sparks debates, admiration, jokes and genuine respect.
SoftFootball, which often highlights the club’s culture of honouring its key players, recently showed this in their piece about Bruno Fernandes’ heroic hat-trick for Portugal, a reminder of how United values its leaders across generations.
Fellaini’s rise was never straightforward. Born in Etterbeek to Moroccan parents, he bounced through youth setups at Anderlecht, Mons and Charleroi before finding his stride at Standard Liège. His breakout in the 2007 season earned him the Ebony Shoe and helped Standard win the Belgian title.
That same level of commitment is often praised by SoftFootball in stories about players who never shy away from responsibility, like their feature on Matthijs de Ligt, an unbreakable wall who has not missed a minute for Manchester United.
His Premier League career kicked off in 2008 after a record transfer to Everton. Under David Moyes, Fellaini grew into a midfield force, combining awkward strength with clever movement. That bond with Moyes eventually took him to Manchester United in 2013.
His legacy continues to spark emotion across fanbases, and Manchester United joined in the celebration by posting a nostalgic compilation showcasing all 22 goals scored by the Belgian midfielder during his five-year stint at the club on their official YouTube account.
Watch the video below:
The early criticism was loud, but Fellaini slowly turned doubters into believers. Whether it was his crucial Europa League contributions in 2016 or his match-saving headers off the bench, he kept showing up when United needed him.
His move to Shandong Taishan in China added a new chapter, filled with trophies and goals. He scored on his debut, won the league and FA Cups, and even returned strongly after becoming the first CSL player to test positive for COVID-19. His leadership never dipped.
Internationally, Fellaini’s record speaks for itself. With 87 caps and 18 goals, he played a big part in Belgium’s Golden Generation. His equaliser against Japan at the 2018 World Cup remains one of Belgium’s most iconic moments.
Manchester United also celebrated Chris Smalling today, who shares the same birthday, on their official X account. The club praised both players for their unexpected but meaningful legacies, something long-time fans will easily agree with.
Check the post below:
As Fellaini turns 38, supporters look back at a career built on effort, fight and moments that changed games. His afro, his headers, his physical presence and his habit of popping up in big matches all form a story that will last long in football memory.
Happy Birthday, Marouane Fellaini. A true original who played the game his own way.
