Aspetar Magazine 2026

83 ASPETAR MAGAZINE ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT Everything is serious, structured, and very professional; exactly what I like. There’s an impressive team: surgeons, doctors, physios, trainers, and nutritionists. We’re well supported and in excellent hands throughout the process. How do you maintain your discipline during rehabilitation? I train every morning from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. I work with the physio on my shoulder, but I also do strength and cardio to stay fit. I’ve had a long injury before, and since this time it’s my shoulder, I can still use my legs. It’s part of being a footballer, you must manage setbacks and come back stronger. What advice would you give young players facing a serious injury? Injuries are part of the game, it’s normal. The key is to stay focused on the future, work hard, never give up, and aim to come back stronger. What are your short- and long- term goals, for yourself and the national team? Right now, I’m focused on the current season. We’ve got the African Cup and club competitions coming up before the World Cup, which is still a bit far off. But of course, we want to represent Algeria with pride. I’ll keep giving my all and hope to build a great career, InshAllah. What’s your most memorable World Cup moment, and what makes the tournament so special? Definitely Algeria in the 2010 and especially the 2014 World Cup. That match against Germany, we were eliminated, but truly deserved more. Those are unforgettable memories. The World Cup is unique, it’s the biggest competition, every four years, and it brings the entire world together. All qualified nations take part. It’s truly global, and incredibly special to be a part of.