Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche are both part of the French junior team. Last summer, with the Olympic selection of Thierry Henry, they rose
in the final of the Paris Olympics. The two young players, aged 21 and 22 respectively, also have Algerian nationality.
The Lyonnais and the Monegasque could soon choose to represent the Fennecs if they wish. “It must honestly be difficultconfesses in The Team
Ryad Boudebouz, who found himself faced with this dilemma in 2010, at the start of his career. People really need to respect the players’ choices. My mentality is very simple. If you don’t do it from the heart, there’s no point in taking a selection as a second choice. »
Cherki and Akliouche, the Blues or the Fennecs?
The attacking midfielder from JS Kabylie warns them before giving them some advice. “Today, players can be reached very easily, he recalls.
We make a choice that we don’t like, we are immediately insulted. This is why it is very important to be surrounded by a protective family. I just want to tell them: ‘Make the choice of your heart’. And above all, decide for yourself, and don’t let anyone influence what you feel deep down. »
Until 2020, a footballer could only change national team if he had not played any official match for the A national team.
The rules have been relaxed since an amendment from September 2021.
