Rising Star Samy Faraj Chooses Algeria Over Morocco for International Soccer Career

This player born in France, with a Moroccan father and an Algerian mother, has finally chosen his sporting nationality. "I was contacted by the detection cell of the Algerian Football Federation in recent weeks. At first, they didn’t know I was of Algerian origin. Then, when they found out, they presented the project to me, explaining the role I could have within the under-20 selection. Ultimately, they told me that I could become a framework and an important element of the group," he said in an interview with DzFoot.

Samy confesses to have also been approached by Morocco but that he had already made his choice. "[...] Morocco also contacted me to participate in the next UNAF tournament. They also promised me that I could play a leading role within the team but my choice was already made," he confided, recalling having played four games with the Atlas Lions under-16s. An experience that, according to him, did not go very well.

The FC Sochaux Montbéliard midfielder also said that he had refused to respond to a call from the Moroccan U20 selection, as he was close to joining the French team whose coach was following him.