Al-Ittihad Midfielder Aouar Hails Algeria’s Potential for Greatness

Houssem Aouar, a midfielder for Al-Ittihad, has expressed significant optimism regarding the future prospects of the Algerian national football team, emphasizing that "Algeria deserves to achieve great things." Despite being born and raised in France, the 28-year-old player highlighted his deep personal connection to Algeria, explaining that he spent every summer and winter holiday in the country, where his entire family originates. Aouar described playing for Algeria as an honor, noting the unique pressure and responsibility that comes with representing a nation whose entire population watches.

Aouar conveyed confidence in the emerging talent within the national squad, stating his belief that the team possesses "good players, very good players, new players, and young players." He particularly observed that younger players tend to approach the game with a refreshing lack of overthinking. However, the midfielder stressed that talent alone is insufficient, underscoring the critical need for the team to cultivate genuine chemistry among its diverse members to unlock its full potential and realize ambitious goals.

In his remarks, Aouar also extended a heartfelt tribute to former national team stalwarts Riyad Mahrez and Aïssa Mandi, who recently retired from international play. He acknowledged their substantial contributions to the team and their consistent readiness to take responsibility during challenging periods. Aouar specifically praised Mahrez, asserting that, for his generation, the winger stands as "the best Algerian player of all time" and that playing alongside him was an honor.