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After waiting unsuccessfully for a second call-up by France, Aouar has decided to pitch his tent with the Fennec Foxes of Algeria
Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar has decided to switch international allegiances and will now represent the Desert Warriors of Algeria.
The announcement was made by the Algerian Football Federation’s president, Djahid Zefizef, who told journalists that Aouar has given the Federation his word that he would now be open to representing Algeria from now on.
Aouar waited in vain for another France call-up
Until now, Aouar had been hoping for a consistent run with the French National Team but had only managed one appearance for France in a friendly against Ukraine.
Aouar hasn't been able to really establish a spot with the senior team despite having 18 youth international appearances for France.
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He missed out on a competitive call-up in 2020 when he was ruled out of playing in the UEFA Nations League after getting COVID a day after the call-up.
Since then, he has managed just one call-up and missed out on France’s team to the 2022 World Cup despite top midfielders like Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante being ruled out through injuries.
Houssem Aouar has decided to play for Algeria
Aouar will now join Algeria’s already impressive midfield that has AC Milan's Ismael Bennacer, Anger’s Nabil Bentaleb, and Nice’s Hicham Boudaoui.
Aouar had previously considered playing for Algeria at the international level but ultimately rejected an approach in 2019 to play at the Africa Cup of Nations.
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The 24-year-old midfielder is now certain he wants to represent the Fennec Foxes and has made this known to the Algerian Football Federation.
Aouar is versatile and can play anywhere in the midfield, but he shines most as an attacking midfielder because of his aptitude for beating defenders and setting up scoring opportunities for his team.
If all goes well, Aouar could be in line to play for Algeria as soon as March 2023 in their AFCON qualifiers against Niger.
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