Rachid Mekhloufi (Arabic: رشيد مخلوفي; 12 August 1936 – 8 November 2024) was an Algerian footballer who played as a striker.

Rachid, "abandoned the French team preparing for the World Cup Finals in Sweden and instantly became an Algerian national symbol.

Many in France did not realize the extent of the war raging in Algeria, but when ten high-profile players left, the French citizens had to wonder and figure out the exact reason, especially when a few of the 10 footballers were preparing for the World Cup Finals.

At the same time, both Rachid and his teammates gave a sense of nationalism to the citizens of Algeria during their efforts in the war.

Mekhloufi is quoted saying "I had lost the taste for effort, the necessary fight" when asked about playing political football.