The African Cup of Nations is already tomorrow. From December 21 to January 18. It is with this perspective that the Algerian selection received with pain the bad news of the day: the rupture of the cruciate ligaments in the right knee of Youcef Belaïli.
It was in this somewhat delicate context that the Greens received an unexpected call from the heart, from a certain Maxime Lopez. The former Marseillais admits, if he were called up by Vladimir Petkovic, he would happily wear the Algeria jersey, he who learned his lessons with the Bleuets, among the U20s and the Espoirs.
“ There weren’t really any concrete discussions but there were small discussions where I was asked for my opinion on this.he whispers during an interview with Canal+. We’ll see what happens but yes, why not. If someone calls me, will I go? To be honest, yes! »
“I want to play in the national team”
And to add: “ So people will say: “Yes, opportunist, there is the CAN and the World Cup”. But I think that even in a season where there was neither the CAN nor the World Cup, if I had been called upon I would have gone there. I am a competitor and I want to play in the national team too. »
Of Kabyle origin through his mother, Maxime Lopez has never hidden his favoring the French team until now. But at 27 years old, the person concerned has no more illusions. “ Me, honestly I always talked about the France team, because I was never contacted at that level in the Algerian team. After a while, I don’t think it’s up to me to make the move », concludes the Paris FC player.
