Lebanese footballer (1936–2020)
Levon Aram Altounian (Arabic: ليون ارام التونيان; 15 February 1936 – 6 September 2020) was a Lebanese footballer who played as a right winger or an attacking midfielder.
Altounian played his whole club career at Homenetmen, between 1952 and 1973, finishing as top scorer of the Lebanese Premier League twice: in 1962–63 and in 1966–67. Altounian also represented the Lebanon national team, captaining them to a third-place finish at the 1963 Arab Cup.
Club career
Born on 15 February 1936 in Beirut, Lebanon,[1] Altounian played his whole club career at Homenetmen, between 1952 and 1973.[1][2] He was awarded top scorer of the Lebanese Premier League twice, during the 1962–63 and 1966–67 seasons, scoring respectively 14 and 19 goals.[1][3]
International career
Altounian played for the Lebanon national team,[4] scoring two goals in the 1957 Pan Arab Games and helping Lebanon reach third place.[1][5] He also participated in the 1963 Arab Cup as Lebanon's captain; he scored six goals, with Lebanon coming in third place in the competition.[1][6]
Style of play
Altounian started out as an attacking midfielder, before developing as a right winger.[2][7] He was known for his speed, dribbling, and technical ability, as well as for scoring difficult top-corner goals.[2]
Personal life
Levon's favourite player was Mardik Tchaparian in Lebanon, and Pelé worldwide; his favourite coach was Joseph Nalbandian.[2] His brother, Manuel, also played football,[2] and represented Lebanon internationally.[8]
Death
On 6 September 2020, Altounian died in the Daher El Bachek Hospital in Roumieh, Lebanon.[1]
Career statistics
International
- Scores and results list Lebanon's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Altounian goal.
List of international goals scored by Levon Altounian
No.
|
Date
|
Venue
|
Opponent
|
Score
|
Result
|
Competition
|
1
|
18 October 1957
|
Camille Chamoun Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon
|
Saudi Arabia
|
1–0
|
1–1
|
1957 Pan Arab Games
|
2
|
24 October 1957
|
Camille Chamoun Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon
|
Jordan
|
–
|
6–0
|
1957 Pan Arab Games
|
3
|
–
|
4
|
26 January 1962
|
Kuwait University Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait
|
Kuwait
|
3–0
|
5–0
|
Friendly
|
5
|
31 March 1963
|
Camille Chamoun Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon
|
Kuwait
|
2–0
|
6–0
|
1963 Arab Cup
|
6
|
6–0
|
7
|
4 April 1963
|
Camille Chamoun Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon
|
Syria
|
2–3
|
2–3
|
1963 Arab Cup
|
8
|
6 April 1963
|
Camille Chamoun Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon
|
Jordan
|
1–0
|
5–0
|
1963 Arab Cup
|
9
|
4–0
|
10
|
3 April 1966
|
Al-Kashafa Stadium, Baghdad, Iraq
|
Bahrain
|
–
|
6–1
|
1966 Arab Cup
|
11
|
–
|
12
|
5 June 1966
|
Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar, Senegal
|
Senegal
|
–
|
3–2
|
Friendly
|
13
|
3 October 1967
|
Tokyo National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan
|
Japan
|
1–0
|
1–3
|
1968 Summer Olympics qualification
|
14
|
6 October 1967
|
Tokyo National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan
|
Philippines
|
–
|
11–1
|
1968 Summer Olympics qualification
|
15
|
–
|
16
|
–
|
17
|
–
|
18
|
9 October 1967
|
Tokyo National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan
|
Republic of China
|
–
|
5–2
|
1968 Summer Olympics qualification
|
Honours
Homenetmen
Lebanon
Individual
See also
References
External links