Algeria Wins International Tug-of-War for AC Milan Star Ismaël Bennacer
Algeria and Morocco fought over the player Ismael Bennacer. The latter chose to wear the Greens jersey instead of the Moroccan national team.
"Algeria fought hard to get hold of Ismael Bennacer," revealed Mahfoud Kerbadj, former president of the Professional Football League (LFP) during his appearance on El Bilad TV. Born in France to a Moroccan father and Algerian mother, the AC Milan midfielder was on the radar of the French, Algerian and Moroccan national teams. He ultimately chose Algeria.
Mahfoud Kerbadj explained that the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) engaged in an arm wrestling match with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and that its technical staff managed to convince Ismael Bennacer. The latter turned his back on Morocco and joined the Algerian national team in 2019.
Related Articles
-
Ebnoutalib turns his back on Morocco, Ouahbi responds sharply
17 September 2026
-
Spain wants to avoid another Lamine Yamal case with this Moroccan Barça gem
17 September 2026
-
Sofyan Amrabat refuses to play for Morocco, Ouahbi responds: “The past grants no privileges”
17 September 2026
-
Dutch football mourns Ahmed Ammi, born in Morocco and dead at 45
16 September 2026
-
Hakim Ziyech wants to return to Morocco: “I don’t want to demand a place, I want to earn it”
15 September 2026