Born in Zighoud Youcef, Algeria, Mesbah began his playing career in the junior ranks of French club US Annecy-le-Vieux before being spotted by scouts from Swiss side Servette FC in 2001.Interview de Djamel Mesbah : "Ma priorité actuelle, confirmer". | Football algérien He progressed through the ranks at Servette and made his senior debut in the 2003–04 Swiss Super League season, playing in 11 games and scoring 3 goals.
