Rafik Guitane (born 26 May 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Primeira Liga club Estoril Praia. Born in France, he plays for the Algeria national team.
Guitane signed his first professional contract with Le Havre on 21 July 2016 at the age of 17. Guitane made his professional debut with Le Havre in a 4âÂÂ0 Coupe de France win over Saint-Colomban Locminé on 4 December 2016. He made his league debut on 19 September 2017 in a 1âÂÂ0 home win against FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. His first professional goal came on 25 November, two minutes after coming off the bench in the 71st minute of a league game against Lens. Cutting inside from the right, Guitane fired a shot past opposing goalkeeper Jérémy Vachoux to secure a 1âÂÂ0 victory.
On 1 February 2018, Guitane was sold to Rennes for â¬10 million. He however spent the rest of the season on loan with Le Havre.
His first full season with Rennes, the 2018âÂÂ19 season, was spoiled by injury, as he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in October 2018.
He returned to action in the 2019âÂÂ20 season, and made his competitive debut for the club on 20 October 2019 in a 3âÂÂ2 away loss to Monaco, coming off the bench for Hamari Traoré in the 88th minute. On 7 November, Guitane made his UEFA Europa League debut as a late substitute for Benjamin Bourigeaud in a 1âÂÂ0 loss to CFR Cluj. He finished the season with four total appearances, as he struggled to find playing time.
On 12 August 2020, Guitane was sent on a one-season loan to Primeira Liga club MarÃÂtimo. He made his debut for the club on 20 September against Santa Clara, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute for Pedro Pelágio. He eventually managed to assert himself as a starter in the team, making 30 total appearances that season, as MarÃÂtimo finished 15th â just above the relegation spots.
On 30 August 2021, Guitane signed a permanent contract with Reims. He would, however, continue on loan with MarÃÂtimo for his second successive season.
On 31 January 2023, Guitane returned to Portugal and joined Estoril on loan until the end of the 2022âÂÂ23 season.
On 23 July 2023, Estoril announced the permanent signing of Guitane for an undisclosed fee. The midfielder signed a three-year contract and was handed the club's number 10 shirt. He was an important starter during the 2023-24 season as the club finished 13th in the league and reached the 2024 Taça da Liga final losing on penalties to Braga.
On 31 August 2024, Braga signed Guitane on a season loan with an option to make the transfer permanent for a â¬5 million fee. However, due to lack of game time he would return to Estoril on 1 January 2025. He would play once again for the club 4 days later coming on as a substitute in the second-half against Estrela da Amadora making an assist for the final goal in a 4âÂÂ2 away win.
Guitane was born in France to an Algerian father and a Moroccan mother. He is eligible to play for the France, Algeria or Morocco national teams having previously represented France at youth international level. He was called up to the Algeria national team for the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup.