“We were closer to my mother’s family than to my father’s, that’s also why we dug deeper into our Algerian roots. Almost all my brothers have already been to Algeria. I would love to go there one day too, to see what the town they come from, Biskra, looks like. The gates of the desert.” A few months ago, Rayan Cherki (21 years old) made a confession in the columns of So Foot. The footballer born in 2003 dreams of going to Algeria, the country where part of his maternal family comes from. There is no doubt that the arrival of the jewel of Olympique Lyonnais on Algerian soil would be an event, as it was during the visit of Karim Benzema (37 years old). Cherki does not (yet) have the career of a KB9, but he hopes to follow his example and those of other great talents who have passed through the Olympique Lyonnais training center.
After his first steps at AS Saint-Priest, he then completed all his classes within the Lyon club. A great hope, he was followed very closely from a very young age. Each of his performances and each of his gestures were analyzed closely. OL, aware of having a talent like no other, quickly capitalized on it. But his development at the highest level took time. Some coaches didn’t give him a chance and/or didn’t understand him. The player also sometimes lacked a little maturity. But this season, the planets finally seem aligned and Lyon can finally get the best out of Rayan Cherki. An impactful, decisive player, mature in the game and with the right state of mind. This is excellent news for OL, who will not close the door this winter in the event of an offer of at least €30 million, and for the player, who wants to finish the season between Rhône and Saône before possibly flying from its own wings.
The FAF is interested but patient
2025 will therefore be a very important year for Bleuet, whether at club or national level. Having passed through the U16 (2 caps) and the U19 (3 caps) tricolors, Cherki has been playing with the France Espoirs team since 2021. When things weren’t going well with OL, he took advantage of the international breaks to find playing time and enjoyment. With the Bleuets, he made 24 caps and scored 12 goals. Last summer, he also participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with the U23s headed by Thierry Henry (6 matches, 2 goals). A selection with which he was crowned Olympic world vice-champion. But unlike some of his teammates, like Michael Olise or Manu Koné, Cherki has not yet had the honor of joining the France A team. But the Lyonnais is observed by the Blues staff. Especially since he has had a good first part of the season, having totaled 5 goals and 7 assists in 18 matches in all competitions.
But his performances have not escaped Italy and Algeria. Two countries which can also select Rayan Cherki. Concerning the Nazionale, she has already flirted with the player, one of whose grandfathers has Italian origins. For Algeria, they come from the maternal side of her family. It’s no secret, the Fennecs have been following Rayan Cherki for a very long time. But recently, the Algerian Football Federation, in search of new binational talents capable of taking the Greens to a new level, wishes to move forward on this priority issue. A source close to the matter in Algeria explained to us that the FAF is doing the work to try to convince him. But she does not want to put any pressure on him and believes that it is up to him to choose the right time to decide on this subject. This is in line with the latest information published by Competition The Algerian media explained that Walid Sadi, the president of the FAF, had good feedback during the first discussions with the player’s family, in particular the footballer’s father. The two men spoke after the end of the Paris Olympics. A competition from which the Lyonnais would have emerged frustrated and disappointed from an individual point of view.
The Algerian press awaits progress
Competition writes about this: “Rayan Cherki was decided, after the competition, to accept the FAF’s proposal. His father also informed Walid Sadi that his son agreed to represent Algeria, however he demanded a single condition from the president of the FAF: “my son wants a meeting with Vladimir Petkovic in order to discuss the sports project. Sadi knew that it was the time to press the button to get it and had, in the process, transmitted the information to the national coach, but busy with the preparation of the September training camp, Vladimir Petkovic will postpone his trip to Lyon to meet Rayan Cherki. According to other versions, the Bosnian coach, who claims to have enough solutions in his position, would have deliberately delayed his trip. Bad luck came to him, since in the meantime, after having been sidelined at OL, Cherki came back in force and put together great performances until the French press began to campaign for his call-up to the A by Didier Deschamps.”
Despite this, the FAF, through the president, continued to communicate with the player’s father. But the footballer born in 2003 wants to spend his season quietly before settling his future at OL and then in the selection. In this order, according to Competitionwho revealed other details: “recently, we revealed in these same columns that the FAF would have required Rayan Cherki to decide on the change of nationality before the next training course in March. The FAF changed its mind by giving the player time and avoiding putting pressure on him, for fear of seeing the chances of having him dwindle. Quite simply, the turnaround of the first instance of national football is motivated by the concern not to lose a future world star. If some sources tell us that Cherki would lean more towards the Blues, others indicate that he prefers Algeria. For the moment, he has not officially decided on the subject. But in Algeria, some sports media believe that the FAF must try to complete this file as quickly as possible, if possible before the next meeting in March 2025.
A player who can bring a lot to the Fennecs
As explained previously, the federation does not want to rush the player and complies with his requests. Despite everything, she is hopeful of achieving it. What is certain is that the FFF and the FAF are in a standoff to try to prevail on this issue, while Italy seems to be a few steps behind. If everything is still possible, in Algeria, many dream of seeing him put on the Fennecs jersey and put his talent at the service of the country. This is the case of Yassine Bouali, journalist for Afrik-Foot. “He’s in the shape of his life. He could be of service to all the teams in the world. He can play with France, Algeria and Italy. It’s not just Didier Deschamps who could be interested in Rayan Cherki. The three selections would like to have it. Concerning the Algerian federation, they are trying to convince him to play for Algeria. Sincerely and honestly, I have no information in this direction. As he is binational, the federation and the coach certainly follow him closely, as Deschamps and the Italian coach certainly do.
He continues: “Today, in his register, very few players can make the difference one against one, in the last pass. He could bring a lot to the midfield for the Algerian selection. Of course, it is with joy that I will see him in the Algerian selection as an Algerian. Today, it is only him and his advice who have the answer to the question that many media are asking. But he is someone who could bring a lot to Algeria for an international career. For me, who loves the beautiful game and football, he is one of the rare players who makes me love and for whom I am ready to pay my ticket to go watch a football match. The feeling is the same for Redouane Medhaoui, journalist and presenter at Echourouk TV and specialist in Algerian football. “Rayan Cherki is one of the players who play in Europe and in France, who achieve feats every season (…) He gets everyone talking. Algerian supporters are among his fans. He has French, Italian and Algerian origins. We hope to see him in the Algerian national team. He is an exceptional and talented player. He’s having his best start to the season compared to last year.”
Algerian supporters talk about it a lot
He continues: “we have seen articles in France which say that the FAF has no interest. We have Aouar, Gouiri and other players. The FAF did everything to get them. There is really a group that attracts. Cherki must make the right choice for her career. It’s time for the national team to have a good generation of talented young people. We also have Algerian L1 players who are developing in Belgium in particular. For Cherki, it would be good to see him during the next courses. It’s the end of a cycle with Bounedjah, Slimani… Cherki is a player who can play offensively in any position, left or right winger, in false 9. He has one very important thing, it’s his technique , its liveliness. That really adds value to a player who has a magnificent background. There is the World Cup, it is a dream for all Algerians. The CAN too, since we experienced two very difficult tournaments after winning it in 2019. I assure you that the FAF is really interested in this player.
And according to him, Algeria has something to attract him. “He has family in Biskra. He always wanted to come and visit Algeria, Algiers. At OL, he knew Slimani, Benlamri, Aouar and Gouiri. There is a special contact, which makes Cherki interested in Algeria. Currently, there is Saïd Benrahma who plays for OL. We hope to have Rayan Cherki during the next training course. Here, when we talk about Rayan Cherki, everyone is interested in this player who is full of qualities. He is among the best prospects and confirms his place in L1 and in Europe. He must make the best decision for him. At 21, it’s now or never. Everything is possible. We saw Houssem Aouar with the Espoirs in France. He came here after a few years. This is the number 1 example for Cherki to follow. Now is the time.” As for his future at club, Rayan Cherki will have to make important choices in 2025. What is certain is that the door is open on the Algerian side. It’s up to him to push it or shut it in the coming months.
