Hicham Boudaoui: Algeria’s secret midfield weapon

When the Algeria national team is in action, it is difficult to miss Hicham Boudaoui. Always buzzing around in the Les Verts midfield, the OGC Nice central midfielder is enjoying an increased role at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The 26-year-old adds an element to the Algerian team that continues to captivate supporters. With unlimited energy and a fearless approach to attacking and defensive duels, Boudaoui is an important contributor on both sides of the ball. After featuring in two matches as a 19-year-old player during Algeria’s last AFCON title in 2019, he is now a key player as the Fennecs attempt to bounce back from two consecutive group stage exits at the 2021 and 2023 editions.

But it was not a straightforward path to the XI of Les Verts. A graduate of Algiers club Paradou AC’s prestigious youth academy, Boudaoui was recognized by current club Nice and brought to France after starring for Algeria’s youth national teams. While he developed into a regular player for the Ligue 1 club after his first season, breaking into a regular role for the national team proved to be a different challenge.

𝐋𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐨𝐮𝐢 🪄#OGCNice @hicham_boudaoui pic.twitter.com/SVD29X9cWD

— OGC Nice (@ogcnice) October 9, 2023

With capable options like Ramiz Zerrouki as well as incumbent deep-lying midfielder Ismaël Bennacer to compete with, Boudaoui’s playing time was sporadic with Les Verts. However, with Bennacer struggling due to extended injury spells while Zerrouki struggled following a big money move to Dutch giants Feyenoord, Boudaoui featured regularly during 2026 World Cup qualifying.

And with his unique physical characteristics compared to his competition in the Algerian team, the midfielder’s performances arrived to a popular reception. His active nature increases the pace of play, opening up opportunities for star players to thrive while Boudaoui advances the ball into dangerous positions as seen below in a World Cup qualifying victory at Botswana.

الدقيقة الـ 44′

جووول أمين غويري يفتتح باب التسجيل لصالح المنتخب الوطني برأسية جميلة 😍

منتخب بوتسوانا 0-1 منتخب الجزائر pic.twitter.com/qMIAe74v6i

— HARKAN (@SAIF_DLB) March 21, 2025

With regards to the ongoing 2025 AFCON, his re-emergence under current Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic came at an excellent time. The tactician has found that pairing Boudaoui with Bennacer is an excellent combination. While Boudaoui has the freedom to engage in duels and move the ball on the ground, Bennacer can stay deep in the midfield in as a stationary distributor.

And it is no coincidence that the results are improving for the North Africans at the 2025 AFCON. In their 1-0 Round of 16 victory over DR Congo, Boudaoui performed to his highest potential. Completing over 80% of his passes while winning 8/11 ground duels, the Congolese midfield was harassed all match and created little before Adil Boulbina’s extra-time winner.

It is a just reward for the midfielder that he is receiving more attention. Now in his seventh season with Nice in France’s Ligue 1, Boudaoui has refined his style of play in European club football while enhancing the characteristics that makes him such a weapon.

The more impulsive moments and dangerous tackles still happen, but Boudaoui’s discipline continues to improve. Meanwhile, his confidence in tight spaces and quick moves on the ball have only gotten better over time. Nice turned down plenty of transfer interest ahead of the ongoing season but it appears inevitable that a bigger stage awaits for their Algerian star.

In the midst of a season where his club appears set for a relegation fight, Hicham Boudaoui is enjoying the distraction of the Africa Cup of Nations. If he can help Les Verts claim their third African title, then there is no doubt that a bigger stage beckons in his career for both club and country with the 2026 World Cup approaching.