View source for Alexander Hleb

{{short description|Belarusian footballer (born 1981)}}
{{family name hatnote|Paulavich|Hleb|lang=Eastern Slavic}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Alexander Hleb
| image = Alexander Hleb press.jpeg
| image_size =
| caption = Hleb with [[Konyaspor]] in 2014
| fullname = Aliaksandr Paulavich Hleb<ref name="Birmingham City Miscellany">{{cite book | editor-first = Tony | editor-last = Matthews | title = The Birmingham City Miscellany | year = 2012 | publisher = The History Press | location = Stroud | isbn = 978-0-7524-6343-8 }}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|5|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Minsk]], [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic|Byelorussian SSR]], Soviet Union
| height = {{convert|1.85|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/plantilla/jugadors/hleb.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729212828/http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/plantilla/jugadors/hleb.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2012 |title=Alexander Paulavic Hleb |publisher=FC Barcelona |access-date=16 March 2011 }}</ref>
| currentclub = 
| position = [[Attacking midfielder]], [[winger (association football)|winger]]
| youthyears1 = 1997–1998
| youthclubs1 = [[FC Dinamo-Juni Minsk|Dinamo-Juni Minsk]]
| youthyears2 = 1998–1999
| youthclubs2 = [[FC BATE Borisov|BATE Borisov]]
| years1 = 1998
| clubs1 = [[FC Dinamo-Juni Minsk|Dinamo-Juni Minsk]]
| caps1 = 11
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 1999–2000
| clubs2 = [[FC BATE Borisov|BATE Borisov]]
| caps2 = 25
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2000–2001
| clubs3 = [[VfB Stuttgart II]]
| caps3 = 17
| goals3 = 4
| years4 = 2000–2005
| clubs4 = [[VfB Stuttgart]]<!-- please don't pipe to just Stuttgart, needs the "VfB" to distinguish from other clubs -- thanks -->
| caps4 = 137
| goals4 = 13
| years5 = 2005–2008
| clubs5 = [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
| caps5 = 89
| goals5 = 7
| years6 = 2008–2012
| clubs6 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| caps6 = 19
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2009–2010
| clubs7 = → [[VfB Stuttgart]] (loan)
| caps7 = 27
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2010–2011
| clubs8 = → [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (loan)
| caps8 = 19
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2011
| clubs9 = → [[VfL Wolfsburg]] (loan)
| caps9 = 4
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2012
| clubs10 = [[FC Krylia Sovetov Samara|Krylia Sovetov Samara]]
| caps10 = 8
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2012–2013
| clubs11 = [[FC BATE Borisov|BATE Borisov]]
| caps11 = 29
| goals11 = 3
| years12 = 2014
| clubs12 = [[Torku Konyaspor|Konyaspor]]
| caps12 = 30
| goals12 = 2
| years13 = 2015
| clubs13 = [[Gençlerbirliği S.K.|Gençlerbirliği]]
| caps13 = 15
| goals13 = 2
| years14 = 2015
| clubs14 = [[FC BATE Borisov|BATE Borisov]]
| caps14 = 4
| goals14 = 0
| years15 = 2016
| clubs15 = [[Gençlerbirliği S.K.|Gençlerbirliği]]
| caps15 = 12
| goals15 = 0
| years16 = 2016
| clubs16 = [[FC BATE Borisov|BATE Borisov]]
| caps16 = 6
| goals16 = 0
| years17 = 2017
| clubs17 = [[FC Krylia Sovetov Samara|Krylia Sovetov Samara]]
| caps17 = 7
| goals17 = 0
| years18 = 2018–2019
| clubs18 = [[FC BATE Borisov|BATE Borisov]]
| caps18 = 16
| goals18 = 0
| years19 = 2019
| clubs19 = [[FC Isloch Minsk Raion|Isloch Minsk Raion]]
| caps19 = 13
| goals19 = 0
| totalcaps = 488
| totalgoals = 38
| nationalyears1 = 2000–2004
| nationalteam1 = [[Belarus national under-21 football team|Belarus U21]]
| nationalcaps1 = 24
| nationalgoals1 = 5
| nationalyears2 = 2001–2019
| nationalteam2 = [[Belarus national football team|Belarus]]
| nationalcaps2 = 80
| nationalgoals2 = 6
}}

'''Aliaksandr Paulavich Hleb''' ({{langx|be|Аляксандр Паўлавіч Глеб}}, {{IPA|be|alʲakˈsand(a)r ˈɣlʲɛp|lang}};<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 March 2020 |title=Наш HLEB {{!}}{{!}} Фильм о выдающемся белорусском футболисте Александре Глебе {{!}}{{!}} Alexander Hleb |trans-title=Our HLEB {{!}}{{!}} A film about the outstanding Belarusian football player Aliaksandr Hleb {{!}}{{!}} Alexander Hleb |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfdkAAMYQ9Q&t=665s |access-date=4 November 2023 |website=[[YouTube]] |publisher=[[Belteleradio]] |language=Belarusian}}</ref> {{langx|ru|Александр Павлович Глеб}}; born 1 May 1981), commonly referred to in English as '''Alexander Hleb''', is a Belarusian former professional [[association football|footballer]].

Hleb's natural and preferred position is [[attacking midfielder]] or "in the hole" behind the strikers, but he was often deployed on the [[winger (association football)|wing]]. He is known for his passing, agility and [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbling]] ability.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/en/football/premier-league/arsenal/389852-alexander-hleb-where-is-he-now.html|title=Alexander Hleb: Where is he now?|first=Chris|last=Frith|date=2 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefalsenine.co.uk/2014/02/04/alexander-hleb-arsenals-beautiful-loser/|title=Alexander Hleb: Arsenal's most beautiful loser|first=The False|last=Nine|date=4 February 2014}}</ref> A full international for [[Belarus national football team|Belarus]] since 2001, he won 80 caps for his country.

==Early life==
Hleb grew up in [[Minsk]]. His mother worked on a construction site while his father drove [[petrol]] [[Tank truck|tankers]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/oct/01/sport.comment3|title=Child of change at home in Highbury|newspaper=The Guardian|date=30 September 2006}}</ref> His father had volunteered to help demolish houses in Ukraine made uninhabitable as the result of the [[Chernobyl disaster|Chernobyl nuclear disaster]]. Hleb believes this exposure to [[radiation]] caused his father's ill health. Before getting involved with football, Hleb was a keen swimmer and gymnast.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A167983379/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=f5016013 |title=Concrete pitches put Hleb in the mix |first=Wayne |last=Veysey |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=24 August 2007 |page=62 |access-date=4 February 2020 |via=Gale In Context: Biography |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="Capital gains"/> His younger brother [[Vyacheslav Hleb|Vyacheslav]] was also a footballer.

==Club career==
===VfB Stuttgart===
Spotted by scouts, Alexander and his younger brother [[Vyacheslav Hleb|Vyacheslav]] were signed in 2000 by German [[Bundesliga]] side [[VfB Stuttgart]] for approximately [[Euro|€]]150,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mastercard.com/football/ucl/players/player_detail41331.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104021355/http://www.mastercard.com/football/ucl/players/player_detail41331.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 January 2013|title=Aliaksandr Hleb profile on MasterCard UEFA Champions League|publisher=MasterCard |access-date=18 July 2006}}</ref> He made his Bundesliga debut on 5 September 2000 in an away match at [[1. FC Kaiserslautern]], coming on as a substitute for the last 20 minutes.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spieler_profil.php?id=315&modus=3&saison_id=38&team=215 |title=2000–01 player stats |publisher=Weltfussball.de |access-date=13 April 2008 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518023204/http://www.weltfussball.de/spieler_profil.php?id=315&modus=3&saison_id=38&team=215 |archive-date=18 May 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite only making six league appearances in his first season with Stuttgart, Hleb became a regular at the club in his second season there and went on to establish himself as an important player for the team. In 2002, he was voted [[Belarusian Footballer of the Year]].<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=47929.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103224242/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=47929.html
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=3 November 2012
|title=Gleb wins Belarus gong | date = 31 December 2002 | access-date =2 October 2011 | publisher = [[UEFA]]}}</ref>

In [[2002–03 Bundesliga|2002–03]], Stuttgart finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga and enjoyed a [[UEFA Champions League]] victory over [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] and Hleb had become established as the team's playmaker. After team manager [[Felix Magath]] left to join [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] in the summer of 2004, however, Stuttgart were not as successful under new coach [[Matthias Sammer]], having finished the [[2004–05 Bundesliga|2004–05 season]] in fifth place.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan.php?Thema=3&Liga=1&s_id=1403&p_id=4335&r_id=34&zeige=tabelle| title= 2004–05 Bundesliga table| publisher= Weltfussball.de| access-date= 13 April 2008| language= de| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080518023213/http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan.php?Thema=3&Liga=1&s_id=1403&p_id=4335&r_id=34&zeige=tabelle| archive-date= 18 May 2008| url-status= dead| df= dmy-all}}</ref>

===Arsenal===
[[File:Hleb arsenal.jpg|thumb|upright|Hleb playing for Arsenal]]
In June 2005, Hleb joined English side [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] for a sum which had the potential to reach €15&nbsp;million, on a four-year contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.plusmarketsgroup.com/story.shtml?ISIN=GB0030895238&NewsID=21322 |title=International Midfielder Agrees To Join Arsenal |access-date=27 August 2007 |publisher=plusmarketsgroup.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927015049/http://www.plusmarketsgroup.com/story.shtml?ISIN=GB0030895238&NewsID=21322 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Arsène Wenger]] used Hleb at many different midfield positions, but he mainly played on the right wing for Arsenal. His competitive debut was made in August 2005 against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in the [[2005 FA Community Shield]], and then he made his league debut as a substitute against [[Newcastle United]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4747797.stm |title=Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=7 August 2005 |access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4127052.stm |title=Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=14 August 2005 |access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref> Soon after, Hleb sustained a knee injury while on international duty with Belarus and was out for several months, returning to the first team squad in December, and played 60 minutes in Arsenal's final [[UEFA Champions League]] group stage match against [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] on 7 December.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4494924.stm |title=Arsenal 0-0 Ajax |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=7 December 2005 |access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref> By January 2006, Hleb had established himself as a first choice player and scored his first goal for Arsenal in a 7–0 win over [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4590256.stm |title=Arsenal 7-0 Middlesbrough |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=14 January 2006 |access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref> In May, Hleb became the first ever Belarusian footballer to play in the [[2006 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League final]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2005/matches/round=2205/match=1108503/postmatch/lineups/index.html |access-date=14 September 2015 |publisher=UEFA |title=UEFA Champions League 2005/6 History - Barcelona/Arsenal Lineups |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110203140/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season%3D2005/matches/round%3D2205/match%3D1108503/postmatch/lineups/index.html |archive-date=10 January 2016 }}</ref> He ended the season with 40 appearances and three goals.

Despite a [[hamstring]] injury, Hleb made 48 appearances in the [[2006–07 in English football|2006–07 season]] and scored three goals. In 2007–08, he was moved from the right wing and played behind [[Robin van Persie]] as a withdrawn striker. When strikers [[Emmanuel Adebayor]] and [[Eduardo da Silva|Eduardo]] recovered from injuries Arsène Wenger reverted to a [[Formation (association football)#4–4–2|4–4–2]] formation and Hleb returned to playing on the wing. His season was cut short after he was banned for three games by [[the FA]] after he was charged with violent conduct in an incident with [[Graeme Murty]] of [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] during their 2–0 win. Hleb admitted his offence, ending his season.

===Barcelona===
On 16 July 2008, a medical examination was held for the player at [[FC Barcelona]], with his transfer completed later that day for a fee of €15&nbsp;million plus an additional €2&nbsp;million if Barcelona won the La Liga title in [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]] or [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]] (which they did in 2008–09, bringing his total fee to €17&nbsp;million). Hleb signed a four-year contract with a buy-out clause of €90&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada08-09/07/n080716104950.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080804184929/http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada08-09/07/n080716104950.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 August 2008|title=Hleb signs four-year deal |publisher=FCBarcelona.cat |date=16 July 2008 |access-date=16 July 2008}}</ref>

In March 2009, after featuring irregularly for the team – starting only five games in [[La Liga]] – Hleb admitted that he would readily accept an offer from Bayern Munich, if such an opportunity arose in the summer. He said, "I am right in the best years of my career and I do not want to spend those years on bench. Bayern Munich is a special club, their interest in me is a delightful honour. Bayern is among the best teams in the world."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_5008890,00.html|title=Hleb honoured by Bayern link |publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |date=5 March 2009 |access-date=16 July 2009 | first = Thomas | last = Zocher}}</ref>

Hleb went on to win the 2008–09 [[Treble (association football)|treble]] with Barcelona in his first season with the club. Hleb featured briefly in the [[2009 Copa del Rey Final|Copa del Rey final]] but did not play when Barcelona went on to beat [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] 2–0 in the [[2009 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League final]].

At the end of the season, Hleb turned down the opportunity to join, on loan, eventual [[2009–10 Inter Milan season|2009–10]] treble winners [[Inter Milan|Internazionale]], and chose to join former club, VfB Stuttgart, on loan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/football/07/30/hleb.stuttgart.barcelona.intermilan/index.html|title=Hleb rejects Inter Milan to rejoin Stuttgart |work=CNN |date=30 July 2009|access-date=1 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5939783/Alexander-Hleb-joins-Stuttgart-on-season-long-loan-from-Barcelona.html |title=Alexander Hleb joins Stuttgart on season-long loan from Barcelona |date=30 July 2009 |access-date =30 July 2009 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |first=Nick |last=Pearce}}</ref> Hleb played 55 minutes in the first game of the 2009–10 Bundesliga season, away to [[VfL Wolfsburg]], a match Stuttgart lost 2–0. Then, after playing in Stuttgart's 4–2 victory over [[SC Freiburg]], Hleb scored his first goal for Stuttgart, during a Champions League [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round#First leg 4|qualifier]] against [[FC Timișoara|Timișoara]] in a 2–0 away win for the German side.

[[File:Alexander Hleb Arsenal vs Birmingham.jpg|thumb|upright|Hleb with Birmingham in 2010 playing against his former club Arsenal]]
On 31 August 2010, Hleb returned to England by signing a season-long loan deal with Premier League club [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2140046,00.html |title=Blues Land Hleb |publisher=Birmingham City F.C |date=31 August 2010 |access-date=31 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903005409/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~2140046%2C00.html |archive-date=3 September 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> An ankle injury sustained on international duty delayed his debut until 18 September, when he played 83 minutes in a 3–1 defeat at [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/8989678.stm |title=Alexander Hleb relishing challenge at Birmingham City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 September 2010 |access-date=23 September 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100914231711/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/8989678.stm| archive-date= 14 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9006917.stm |title=West Brom 3–1 Birmingham |first=Mark |last=Ashenden |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 September 2010 |access-date=23 September 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100920022425/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9006917.stm| archive-date= 20 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> Three days later, he opened the scoring as Birmingham beat [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]] 3–1 in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9009796.stm |title=Birmingham 3–1 MK Dons |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 September 2010 |access-date=23 September 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100923105009/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9009796.stm| archive-date= 23 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> Injury disrupted his season, forcing him to miss Birmingham City's victory over Arsenal in the [[2011 Football League Cup Final|League Cup final]]. Towards the end of the season, he ruled out a return to Birmingham once his loan expired, suggesting that their style of football was not suited to him, although he wanted to remain in the Premier League, ideally at Arsenal.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/2011/04/18/aleksandr-hleb-rules-out-return-to-birmingham-city-97319-28537154/ |title=Aleksandr Hleb rules out return to Birmingham City |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=18 April 2011 |access-date=22 April 2011 |archive-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001121342/http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/2011/04/18/aleksandr-hleb-rules-out-return-to-birmingham-city-97319-28537154/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/apr/20/birmingham-football-alex-mcleish-alexander-hleb |title='Birmingham can play football,' Alex McLeish tells Alexander Hleb |first=Stuart |last=James |newspaper=The Guardian |date=20 April 2011 |access-date=22 April 2011 |location=London}}</ref>

On 31 August 2011, Hleb was loaned out to VfL Wolfsburg.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada11-12/08/31/n110831118981.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730130818/http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada11-12/08/31/n110831118981.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 July 2012 |publisher=FC Barcelona |title=Hleb to Wolfsburg on loan |date=31 August 2011 |access-date=31 August 2011 }}</ref> Again, injury disrupted his stay at Wolfsburg, making only one start and three appearances as a substitute.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/dec/13/wolfsburg-alexander-hleb-loan-barcelona | title=Wolfsburg opt against extending injury-hit Alexander Hleb's loan | access-date=21 March 2012 | location=London | work=The Guardian | date=13 December 2011}}</ref> The club confirmed he would leave at the scheduled end of the loan on 31 December 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1556638.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110200322/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1556638.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 January 2012 |title=Wolfsburg will not extend Hleb deal |agency=Press Association |publisher=FIFA |date=13 December 2011 |access-date=14 December 2011}}</ref>

===Final stages in his club career===
After Hleb's contract with Barcelona was cancelled by mutual consent during the January 2012 transfer window,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.es/futbol/primer-equipo/detalle/noticia/acuerdo-para-la-desvinculacion-de-hleb |title=Acuerdo para la desvinculación de Hleb |trans-title=Agreement for Hleb's release |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=31 January 2012 |access-date=31 January 2012}}</ref> he signed for [[Russian Premier League]] club [[FC Krylia Sovetov Samara|Krylia Sovetov Samara]] until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://en.ria.ru/sports/20120217/171364222.html |title=Ex-Barça Star Hleb Joins Russian Side Krylya Sovietov |agency=RIA Novosti |date=17 February 2012 |access-date=17 February 2012}}</ref>

On 26 July 2012, Hleb signed a contract with [[FC BATE Borisov|BATE Borisov]] and won the [[2012 Belarusian Premier League]] in his return season. Hleb stated before BATE's 3–1 win against Bayern Munich that he expected the great performances of his team in the Champions League could help him to earn a move abroad, with the player wanting a move to a Bundesliga club.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3940/uefa-champions-league/2012/10/01/3417212/bates-hleb-eyes-bayern-shock | title = BATE's Hleb eyes Bayern shock | publisher = Goal.com |access-date =4 June 2013 | first = Miles | last = Chambers}}</ref> However, he remained playing for BATE in the [[2013 Belarusian Premier League|2013 season]].

On 4 January 2014, Hleb signed a contract with [[Konyaspor|Torku Konyaspor]] in the Turkish [[Süper Lig]] for one and a half years, with an option to extend the contract for an additional year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/spor/futbol/25503464.asp|title=Konyaspor Hleb'i 1,5 yıllığına renklerine bağladı|date=5 January 2014}}</ref> In February 2015, Hleb left Konyaspor for Süper Lig rivals [[Gençlerbirliği S.K.|Gençlerbirliği]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Withnall|first1=Adam|title=Alexander Hleb: Former Arsenal favourite joins Turkish club Genclerbirligi SK - Transfers - Football - The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/alexander-hleb-former-arsenal-favourite-joins-turkish-club-genclerbirligi-sk-10019255.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110203140/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/alexander-hleb-former-arsenal-favourite-joins-turkish-club-genclerbirligi-sk-10019255.html |archive-date=2016-01-10 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|website=independent.co.uk|publisher=The Independent|access-date=14 June 2015|date=2 February 2015}}</ref> Further spells at FK BATE Borisov, Krylia Sovetov Samara and [[FC Isloch Minsk Raion|Isloch Minsk Raion]] followed at the end of his club career.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/players/ahlebdata.html | title = Alyaksandr Paŭlavič Hleb - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold | date = 30 June 2021 | website = [[RSSSF]] | accessdate = 8 July 2021 }}</ref>

==International career==
[[File:Ukr-Belorus 15 (17).jpg|thumb|upright|Hleb playing for [[Belarus national football team|Belarus]]]]
Hleb won 24 [[cap (sport)|caps]] for the [[Belarus national under-21 football team|Belarus under-21]] side. He made his [[Belarus national football team|full international debut]] as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat against [[Wales national football team|Wales]] in 2001. He scored on his second international start in a 5–2 victory over [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]] in April 2002. He scored a goal in the finals of the [[2002 LG Cup (Russia)|2002 LG Cup]] in Russia, which Belarus won.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesl/lgcup2-02.html|title=LG Cup Four Nations Tournament (Moskva) 2002|website=[[RSSSF]]}}</ref>

In November 2006, former Belarusian captain [[Sergei Gurenko]] strongly criticised Hleb for not working hard in national team settings. Hleb, however, rejected any suggestion that he was a "[[prima donna]]".<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_2394288,00.html | title = Ex-Belarus captain blasts Hleb | publisher = SkySports |access-date =2 October 2011 | first = Phil | last = Jackson}}</ref> In August 2007, new national team manager [[Bernd Stange]] made Hleb team captain despite the criticism. On 22 August, Hleb wore the captain's armband for the first time in a 2–1 win against [[Israel national football team|Israel]]. He was part of the team at the victorious friendly [[Malta International Football Tournament]] in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malt-int08.html|title=Malta International Tournament 2008|website=[[RSSSF]]}}</ref> Overall he won 80 caps, scoring six goals.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/ahleb-intl.html | title = Alyaksandr Hleb - International Appearances | first = Roberto | last = Mamrud | date = 30 June 2021 | website = [[RSSSF]] | accessdate = 8 July 2021 }}</ref>

==Miscellaneous==
Hleb was called ''"Zauberlehrling"'' or "Sorcerer's Apprentice" for his silky skills and dazzling tricks in Germany when he played in the Bundesliga.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0254-0d7cca8df199-afe3c0c91811-1000--hleb-plots-happy-return-to-camp-nou/ | title = Hleb plots happy return to Camp Nou | publisher = [[UEFA]] | date = 15 March 2010 | access-date =2 October 2011 | first = Michael | last = Harrold}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 2003, Hleb was involved in a car crash in [[Minsk]], after which a passenger in the other car died in hospital. Hleb was cleared of any responsibility for the accident.<ref name="Capital gains"/>

While playing for Arsenal, Hleb lived in [[Hampstead]], [[North London]].<ref name="Capital gains">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/mar/26/newsstory.championsleague |title=Playboy from Minsk making capital gains |first=Anna |last=Kessel |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=26 March 2006 |access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref> In a 2009 interview with ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper, Hleb confessed that the biggest regret of his life was leaving Arsenal for Barcelona.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/12/alexander-hleb-arsenal-barcelona |title=Alexander Hleb reveals regret at leaving Arsène Wenger and Arsenal |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=12 August 2009 |access-date=22 April 2015}}</ref>

Hleb was married to Anastasia Kosenkova, ex-singer of the Belarusian pop group Topless, from 2008 until 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://euroradio.fm/en/alyaksandr-hleb-again-shares-his-girlfriends-photo-online |title=Alyaksandr Hleb again shares his girlfriend's photo online |website=euroradio.fm |date=1 December 2015 |access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref> In summer 2016, he married Sviatlana.<ref name=BecomesFather>{{Cite web |url=https://euroradio.fm/en/belarus-best-footballer-alex-hleb-becomes-father |title=Belarus' best footballer Alex Hleb becomes father |website=euroradio.fm |date=29 December 2016 |access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref> His first child, a daughter, was born in December of that year.<ref name=BecomesFather/> Sviatlana's daughter from a previous marriage lives with the couple.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.kp.ru/daily/26624/3642753/ |title=Александр Глеб стал отцом |language=be |trans-title=Alexander Hleb has become a father |first=Tatiana |last=Shakhnovich |website=Komsomolskaya Pravda |location=Belarus |date=27 December 2016 |access-date=4 February 2020 }}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National Cup
!colspan="2"|League Cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
!rowspan="2"|{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|[[FC Dinamo-Juni Minsk|Dinamo-Juni Minsk]]
|[[1998 Belarusian First League|1998]]
|[[Belarusian First League]]
|11||1|| || ||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||11||1
|<ref name="nft">{{NFT|686}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[FC BATE Borisov|BATE Borisov]]
|[[1999 Belarusian Premier League|1999]]
|[[Belarusian Premier League]]
|13||1|| || ||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||13||1
|<ref name="nft"/>
|-
|[[2000 Belarusian Premier League|2000]]
|Belarusian Premier League
|12||3|| || ||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||12||3
|<ref name="nft"/>
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!25!!4!! !! !!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!25!!4
!
|-
|[[VfB Stuttgart II]]
|[[2000–01 Regionalliga|2000–01]]
|[[Regionalliga Süd (1994–2012)|Regionalliga Süd]]
|17||4||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||18||4
|<ref name="wf">{{cite web |title=Aliaksandr Hleb » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/aliaksandr-hleb/2/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=1 May 2022}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[VfB Stuttgart]]
|[[2000–01 Bundesliga|2000–01]]
|[[Bundesliga]]
|6||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||1||0||colspan="2"|–||8||0
|<ref name="wf"/>
|-
|[[2001–02 Bundesliga|2001–02]]
|Bundesliga
|32||2||3||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||35||2
|<ref name="wf"/>
|-
|[[2002–03 Bundesliga|2002–03]]
|Bundesliga
|34||4||2||1||colspan="2"|–||16||4||colspan="2"|–||52||9
|<ref name="wf"/>
|-
|[[2003–04 Bundesliga|2003–04]]
|Bundesliga
|31||5||3||0||1||0||8||0||colspan="2"|–||43||5
|<ref name="wf"/>
|-
|[[2004–05 Bundesliga|2004–05]]
|Bundesliga
|34||2||3||2||2||0||8||0||colspan="2"|–||47||4
|<ref name="wf"/>
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!137!!13!!13!!3!!3!!0!!33!!4!!0!!0!!186!!20
!
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|[[2005–06 Arsenal F.C. season|2005–06]]
|[[Premier League]]
|25||3||1||0||3||0||10||0||1{{efn|Appearance in [[FA Community Shield]]}}||0||40||3
|<ref>{{Soccerbase season|22366|2005}}</ref>
|-
|[[2006–07 Arsenal F.C. season|2006–07]]
|Premier League
|33||2||3||0||2||0||10||1||colspan="2"|–||48||3
|<ref>{{Soccerbase season|22366|2006}}</ref>
|-
|[[2007–08 Arsenal F.C. season|2007–08]]
|Premier League
|31||2||2||0||1||0||8||2||colspan="2"|–||42||4
|<ref>{{Soccerbase season|22366|2007}}</ref>
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!89!!7!!6!!0!!6!!0!!28!!3!!1!!0!!130!!10
!
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|[[2008–09 FC Barcelona season|2008–09]]
|[[La Liga]]
|19||0||8||0||colspan="2"|–||9||0||colspan="2"|–||36||0
|<ref name="bdf">{{BDFutbol|7051}}</ref>
|-
|[[2009–10 FC Barcelona season|2009–10]]
|La Liga
|0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||0||0||0||0
|<ref name="bdf"/>
|-
|[[2010–11 FC Barcelona season|2010–11]]
|La Liga
|0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||0||0||0||0
|<ref name="bdf"/>
|-
|[[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|2011–12]]
|La Liga
|0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||0||0||0||0
|<ref name="bdf"/>
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!19!!0!!8!!0!!0!!0!!9!!0!!0!!0!!36!!0
!
|-
|[[VfB Stuttgart]] (loan)
|[[2009–10 Bundesliga|2009–10]]
|Bundesliga
|27||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||8||1||colspan="2"|–||36||1
|<ref name="wf"/>
|-
|[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (loan)
|[[2010–11 Birmingham City F.C. season|2010–11]]
|Premier League
|19||1||3||0||2||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||24||2
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcfc.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10412~24564,00.html |title=Alexander Hleb |publisher=Birmingham City FC |access-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831020856/http://www.bcfc.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10412~24564%2C00.html |archive-date=31 August 2011}}</ref>
|-
|[[VfL Wolfsburg]] (loan)
|[[2011–12 Bundesliga|2011–12]]
|Bundesliga
|4||1||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||colspan="2"|–||4||1
|<ref name="wf"/>
|-
|[[FC Krylia Sovetov Samara|Krylia Sovetov]]
|[[2011–12 Russian Premier League|2011–12]]
|[[Russian Premier League]]
|8||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||8||0
|<ref name="sw">{{Soccerway|2960|accessdate=23 December 2011}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="3"|BATE Borisov
|[[2012 Belarusian Premier League|2012]]
|Belarusian Premier League
|6||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||10||0||colspan="2"|–||16||0
|<ref name="sw"/>
|-
|[[2013 Belarusian Premier League|2013]]
|Belarusian Premier League
|23||3||0||0||colspan="2"|–||4||0||colspan="2"|–||27||3
|<ref name="sw"/>
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!29!!3!!0!!0!!0!!0!!14!!0!!0!!0!!43!!3
!
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Konyaspor]]
|[[2013–14 Süper Lig|2013–14]]
|[[Süper Lig]]
|16||2||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||16||2
|<ref name="sw"/>
|-
|[[2014–15 Süper Lig|2014–15]]
|Süper Lig
|14||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||15||0
|<ref name="sw"/>
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!30!!2!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!31!!2
!
|-
|[[Gençlerbirliği S.K.|Gençlerbirliği]]
|[[2014–15 Süper Lig|2014–15]]
|Süper Lig
|15||2||4||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||19||2
|<ref name="sw"/>
|-
|BATE Borisov
|[[2015 Belarusian Premier League|2015]]
|Belarusian Premier League
|4||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||7||0||colspan="2"|–||12||0
|<ref name="sw"/>
|-
|Gençlerbirliği
|[[2015–16 Süper Lig|2015–16]]
|Süper Lig
|12||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||12||0
|<ref name="sw"/>
|-
|BATE Borisov
|[[2016 Belarusian Premier League|2016]]
|Belarusian Premier League
|6||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||3||0||colspan="2"|–||9||0
||<ref name="sw"/>
|-
|Krylia Sovetov
|[[2016–17 Russian Premier League|2016–17]]
|Russian Premier League
|7||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||7||0
|<ref name="sw"/>
|-
|rowspan="3"|BATE Borisov
|[[2018 Belarusian Premier League|2018]]
|Belarusian Premier League
|15||0||3||0||colspan="2"|–||9||1||colspan="2"|–||27||1
|<ref name="sw"/>
|-
|[[2019 Belarusian Premier League|2019]]
|Belarusian Premier League
|1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||2||0||1||0||5||0
|<ref name="sw"/>
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!16!!0!!4!!0!!0!!0!!11!!1!!1!!0!!32!!1
!
|-
|[[FC Isloch Minsk Raion|Isloch]]
|2019
|Belarusian Premier League
|13||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||13||0
|<ref name="sw"/>
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!488!!38!!42!!3!!11!!1!!113!!9!!2!!0!!654!!51
!
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="nft"/>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="19"|[[Belarus national football team|Belarus]]
|2001||1||0
|-
|2002||7||2
|-
|2003||3||0
|-
|2004||2||0
|-
|2005||8||1
|-
|2006||7||1
|-
|2007||10||0
|-
|2008||6||0
|-
|2009||5||1
|-
|2010||5||1
|-
|2011||1||0
|-
|2012||2||0
|-
|2013||7||0
|-
|2014||2||0
|-
|2015||5||0
|-
|2016||6||0
|-
|2017||0||0
|-
|2018||2||0
|-
|2019||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!80!!6
|}

:''Scores and results list Belarus goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hleb goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Alexander Hleb<ref name="nft"/>
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 17 April 2002 || [[Oláh Gábor utcai Stadion]], [[Debrecen]], Hungary || {{fb|HUN}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|5–2 || [[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 19 May 2002 || [[Central Dynamo Stadium]], [[Moscow]], Russia || {{fb|UKR}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|3 || 9 February 2005 || [[Dyskobolia Stadium]], [[Grodzisk Wielkopolski]], Poland || {{fb|POL}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|4 || 16 August 2006 || [[Dinamo Stadium (Minsk)|Dinamo Stadium]], [[Minsk]], Belarus ||{{fb|AND}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|5 || 1 April 2009 || [[Almaty Central Stadium]], [[Almaty]], Kazakhstan || {{fb|KAZ}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|5–1 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 6|2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|6 || 3 March 2010 || [[Antalya Atatürk Stadium]], [[Antalya]], Turkey || {{fb|ARM}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|3–1 || Friendly
|}
{{notelist}}

==Honours==
'''BATE Borisov'''
*[[Belarusian Premier League]]: [[1999 Belarusian Premier League|1999]], [[2012 Belarusian Premier League|2012]], [[2013 Belarusian Premier League|2013]], [[2015 Belarusian Premier League|2015]], [[2016 Belarusian Premier League|2016]], [[2018 Belarusian Premier League|2018]]

'''VfB Stuttgart'''
*[[UEFA Intertoto Cup]]: [[2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup|2002]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/IntertotoCup/history/Season=2002/intro.html |title=Fulham triumph on first cup foray |publisher=UEFA |date=2 January 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030035731/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/intertotocup/history/season=2002/intro.html |archive-date=30 October 2008}}<br>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/IntertotoCup/FixturesResults/Round=1621/Match=70010/index.html |title=UEFA Intertoto Cup: Fixtures and Results: Match specific: Stuttgart 2–0 Lille |publisher=UEFA |date=27 August 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021021101811/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/IntertotoCup/FixturesResults/Round=1621/Match=70010/index.html |archive-date=21 October 2002}}</ref>

'''Arsenal'''
*[[Football League Cup]] runner-up: [[2006–07 Football League Cup|2006–07]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6371613.stm |title=Chelsea 2–1 Arsenal |website=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2008 |access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref>
*[[UEFA Champions League]] runner-up: [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06]]

'''Barcelona'''
*[[La Liga]]: [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]]
*[[Copa del Rey]]: [[2008–09 Copa del Rey|2008–09]]
*UEFA Champions League: [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|2008–09]]

'''Birmingham City'''
*Football League Cup: [[2010–11 Football League Cup|2010–11]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Carling Cup - Final - Arsenal v Birmingham City - Wembley Stadium|url=https://www.bluespicturestore.co.uk/carling-cup-winners-2011/presentation/carling-cup-final-arsenal-v-birmingham-5418391.html|access-date=25 August 2018|website=bluespicturestore.co.uk|publisher=Birmingham City F.C.}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*[[Belarusian Footballer of the Year]]: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
*[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] Player of the Month: August 2005
*''[[kicker (sports magazine)|kicker]]'' Team of the Year: [[2004–05 Bundesliga|2004–05]]
*[[Allgemeiner Deutscher Nachrichtendienst|ADN Eastern European Footballer of the Season]]: 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ukrfootball.ua/news/albert-dzhayich-blohin-stoyichkov-levandovski-shcho-spilnogo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304200112/http://ukrfootball.ua/news/albert-dzhayich-blohin-stoyichkov-levandovski-shcho-spilnogo |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-03-04 |website=WebArchive |title=Eastern European Footballer of the season|access-date=5 July 2024 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/plantilla/jugadors/hleb.html |title=FC Barcelona profile (fcbarcelona.cat) |access-date=22 July 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729212828/http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/plantilla/jugadors/hleb.html |archive-date=29 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}
* {{BDFutbol|7051}}
* {{Soccerbase}}
* {{Fussballdaten|hlebaliaksandr}}
* {{FIFA player|210623}}

{{Belarusian Footballer of the Year}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hleb, Alexander}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Minsk]]
[[Category:Belarusian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Belarusian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Belarus men's international footballers]]
[[Category:FC Dinamo-Juni Minsk players]]
[[Category:FC BATE Borisov players]]
[[Category:VfB Stuttgart II players]]
[[Category:VfB Stuttgart players]]
[[Category:Arsenal F.C. players]]
[[Category:FC Barcelona players]]
[[Category:Birmingham City F.C. players]]
[[Category:VfL Wolfsburg players]]
[[Category:PFC Krylia Sovetov Samara players]]
[[Category:Konyaspor footballers]]
[[Category:Gençlerbirliği S.K. footballers]]
[[Category:FC Isloch Minsk Raion players]]
[[Category:Belarusian Premier League players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Bundesliga players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Russian Premier League players]]
[[Category:Süper Lig players]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Russia]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey]]
[[Category:Belarusian expatriate sportspeople in Germany]]
[[Category:Belarusian expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:Belarusian expatriate sportspeople in Spain]]
[[Category:Belarusian expatriate sportspeople in Russia]]
[[Category:Belarusian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]