Could the announcement of Didier Deschamps, who confirmed his departure from the France team at the end of his contract after the 2026 World Cup in North America, influence certain players? Zinédine Zidane is expected by almost everyone in France to succeed “La Dèche”, the legend of French football who has been waiting for this important position since his departure from the Real Madrid sidelines in 2021. This has moreover sometimes destabilized his former captain of the 98 world champions.
According to The Gazette du Fennecmedia covering Algerian football news, the possible appointment of “Zizou” at the head of the Blues could thus convince Rayan Cherki not to join the Algerian selection. At 21, the crack player trained at OL has finally established himself at Les Gones (before perhaps leaving to replenish the coffers of John Textor’s club). Perhaps he now dreams of passing from the hands of Thierry Henry, his coach during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (for a silver medal at stake), to those of Zidane.
A World Cup with Zidane?
Always an international hopeful, Cherki faces an immense dilemma. He is probably waiting to see if Didier Deschamps calls him up next March for the Nations League quarter-final against Croatia, on March 20 and 23. Without having any assurance of being rewarded with a promotion to the A (tricolors) because, despite the retirements of Olivier Giroud then Antoine Griezmann in the wake of Euro 2024, the tricolor staff has already added Michael Olise and Christopher Nkunku in the French offensive sector.
According to certain sources, the Algerian federation is very interested in the idea of recovering Cherki and the native of Lyon is not closing the door to an international future with his mother’s country (his father is French of Italian origin). The steps to obtain the Algerian passport (easily accessible to people of foreign origin) are not currently underway. With the Greens, he could play in several CAN and World Cups. With the Blues, he has a chance to play a World Cup or two under the leadership of Zinédine Zidane…
