The midfielder of Olympique Lyonnais has officially chosen to evolve under the jersey of the Algerian selection. In interview granted to the Federation, he delivered the underside of his reflection. Houssem Aouar explains that he was contacted during the summer by the president of the Algerian body, Djahid Zefizef. This one encouraged him to join the Fennecs.
“To be honest, it’s something that had been on my mind for a very long time, but I couldn’t see myself doing the process myself because I was afraid that I would be seen as an opportunist, detailed the 24-year-old player. And there, the coach and the president held out their hand to me, so inevitably I saw it as a sign of fate. I saw that I had a second chance and I jumped on it, because it is something that should not be missed I think”.
In the past, the Lyonnais had favored the France team. He had gone through the youth categories and had even played a friendly match with the A team. It was in October 2020, against Ukraine (7-1 victory). “To be honest, once my choice to join the France team, I simply felt regret and I felt that for my part and personally, I had not made the choice that suited me. . »
“A choice of the heart”
The midfielder wanted to reassure the Algerian supporters, aware of the expectations around him. “Of course, there are those who will believe that it is a default or opportunistic choice, but if it was a default choice, I would not have done it now because I am only 24 years old, has he assured. I still have more than ten years of career so if it was a default choice, honestly I could have waited until 27 or 28 years old. But no, not at all. It’s not a default choice, it’s a choice of the heart. »
Houssem Aouar also confided in the ties that unite him to Algeria: “It is something very strong for me. My relationship with Algeria is very strong and very close because from an early age I used to go there every summer with my mother and my family”. The coach, Djamel Belmadi, will announce this Friday his group for the double confrontation against Niger (March 23 and 27). Houssem Aouar could play his first minutes there with Algeria.
