In another reality, his name would have been quoted by Didier Deschamps this Thursday, March 16 around 2 p.m. Perhaps even as a regular, he would not have been surprised by his presence in the group of the France team. But fate chose otherwise, and Houssem Aouar will never again be part of the Blues squad. The one who had known his first and only selection in EDF, on October 7, 2020 against Ukraine, announced it publicly on social networks without anyone being surprised: from now on, he will defend the colors of Algeria if he is called. “ I have never made a choice to prevent a player from choosing a selectionexplained DD in response to a question about Wesley Fofana, Franco-Ivorian. It is a freedom that belongs to them. »
🚨🇩🇿 It’s the end of a long soap opera, Houssem Aouar announces his intention to play for the Algerian team!
— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) March 16, 2023
The Lyonnais, who has also evolved with the French youth teams (by playing a Euro Espoirs in Italy in 2019, in particular, with the last four at the key), could therefore be part of the next list of Djamel Belmadi who will announce it this Friday (even if rumors indicate that the player, not feeling physically ready, would have asked the technician to postpone the deadline for his arrival). However, the latter seemed bitter at a press conference in February 2022 against potential binationals: “They all know that they could have been a contribution to the Algerian team, they have all been contacted. They have families, who have done nothing. Houssem Aouar for example knew everything, there are plenty in this same case. Good players, I want them. » Therefore, the reasons for the choice question.
“I regret having chosen the France team”
“ I have a very strong link with Algeria, I went there every summer and I often speak with my familythus tried to reassure Aouar, in a video for the TV channel of the Algerian Football Federation intended to proclaim his love for his new sporting country. The idea of playing in Algeria had been in my head for a while, but I didn’t want to take the steps myself so as not to be seen as an opportunist. The coach and the president Djahid Zefizef reached out to me, it’s a sign of fate. » In a difficult position at Olympique Lyonnais after having embodied a fabulous promise, the midfielder will find it difficult to convince everyone. Now more seen on the substitutes’ bench or in the stands than on the lawns of Ligue 1 (only six tenures and ten appearances in the league this season), the man pays for his many aborted transfers and his injuries (four physical glitches since August 2022, distributed between ankle and thigh or muscle pain). So much so that his current or future level of play is widely questioned and he no longer allows him, in any case, to apply for a place with the Blues.
🚨🎙️ | Houssem Aouar:
“Algeria represents something very strong for me. I regretted having been in the France team. pic.twitter.com/AYvoakjXKg
— The Green Wave ⭐️🇩🇿⭐️ (@la_vagueverte) March 16, 2023
The future ex-Rodhanien, who should finally leave Les Gones at the end of his contract ending on June 30, 2023, would he therefore have reoriented himself towards the Fennecs for lack of anything better, within a selection where competition is less? ? “ I can understand some people’s thoughts, but this is by no means a default choice, responds the main interested party, cleverly highlighting his youth and his 24 years. I still have more than ten years of career ahead of me, I will demonstrate what I can do on the pitch. The Algerian selection means a lot, for me and for my family. I regret having chosen the France team, I immediately felt that I had not made the right choice. » Quite powerful words, to fit somewhere between the communication campaign and honesty. Still, this is a new adventure for the player, who precisely needs new starts urgently. It is also a victory for Zefizef, the boss of the Greens, who had declared that the native of the third arrondissement of Lyon had “gave consent » from the month of January and which offers the same path to Amine Gouiri. With France-Algeria in focus at the 2026 World Cup for the reunion, why not?
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