Akliouche follows Cherki in choosing France over Algeria

Maghnes Akliouche has defended his decision to represent France over Algeria. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder received his maiden call-up to the French national team at the start of the week.

Akliouche has impressed at Monaco over the past four seasons. A product of Monaco’s youth academy, he was born in France to Algerian parents. Algerian media outlets have often pushed for his inclusion in the Les Fennecs squad. Akliouche had already represented France at youth level before receiving his first senior call-up to Les Bleus.

According to Get French Football, Akliouche described his choice of national team as logical. “I have deep respect for Algeria. But I have always been in the French national team at youth level, as well as at the Olympics. It was a logical continuation to represent France. It was a logical conclusion.”

Akliouche follows Cherki

Algeria recently lost Rayan Cherki, who also chose France over the North African nation. The Manchester City winger stated that he had never been contacted by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), a claim which FAF officials denied. Akliouche has now become the latest France-born player to snub Algeria.

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