Khaberni - Yassine Adli has reversed his previous decision to play for the French national team in order to participate with the Algerian national team, confirming that he did not intend to attack or hurt anyone.
The Algerian team had tried to secure Adli's services two years ago, but Yassine Adli justified his decision by preferring the French team at that time, which he represented up to the U20 level, over Algeria, his home country, due to his desire to play at a high level.
Adli explained in his statement to "Sport Team" Algerian magazine, that his choice was driven by his desire to play "at a high level," but he expressed his ongoing support and respect for Algeria.
He said: "I have already talked about playing at a high level, I was very honest and sincere at that time, the words I said, I really said them, I said that I am a player who aspires to play at a high level and that my goal was to play with the French national team, now, it was never intended to offend the Algerian national team, I have many friends who play there, and I have a lot of respect for the national team. The greatest sporting joys I have experienced in my childhood were thanks to the Algerian national team. I am a person who watched all of their matches, I have a lot of respect for my country."
He added: "The time I walked more than any other time in my life was for Algeria in 2010, I walked from my home in Villejuif to the Champs-Élysées, about 18 kilometers, for the World Cup. Of course, I have a special bond with the Algerian team, what I said I meant at that time, and it would not be honest to say that I did not want to play for Algeria at that time, but the fact that I offended the country, and the many insults that followed, affected me because I do not think that way towards my home country, and this is not the relationship I want to have with people."
He continued: "The most important thing is to be at peace with yourself, I never wanted to hurt anyone, I believe I was honest, and then some interpret it one way or another, I never said 'I will not play for Algeria' after that, there was a big wave of hatred from people who told me 'We don’t want you to set foot in Algeria, don't worry, I am not someone who will change his mind, or back down from his words, but in fact, even this is the case, I cannot say it was a mistake due to youth, this is what I believed at that time."
He went on to say: "I have not been summoned by Algeria and I did not want to be a source of controversy about it, I do not want to create a stir; I do not want to talk about the country so that people talk about me, I do not want to put myself in the spotlight, I have a lot of respect for the Algerians, in the end, doing that harmed me more, it deprived me of something I deserved to get, that is the truth, today we see many players changing their national teams."
Adli, who has played for clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Bordeaux, AC Milan, and Fiorentina, acknowledged having discussions with former Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi, and said that he might now be open to joining the national team before the World Cup, which starts on June 11. He emphasized his desire to avoid controversy, confirming that he is primarily a fan of the 'Desert Warriors', and plans to attend their matches in the United States this summer.
Saudi club Al Shabab star concluded: "The truth is that I do not want to be remembered at the end of my career in this way, so that when people see me, they say look, he did not play for the national team, that is what people will remember, tomorrow, if I have to play for the national team and defend the colors, what will be remembered will be less than that, and they won’t say: He said he would play for France. I have already spoken with coach Belmadi, who summoned me when I was in my first year at Milan, We discussed in 2022 and I think that from his side, it was completely clear, he presented his project to me very clearly. He was very direct in what he said to me. I had just arrived at Milan at the time, and I wasn't necessarily playing a lot, so I was also in a position that allowed me to earn my place in Italy, to be worthy of the call-up."
Algeria will play in the 2026 World Cup alongside teams from Argentina, Jordan, and Austria.
