Olympique Lyonnais prospect Khalis Merah has reportedly declined repeated approaches from the Algerian Football Federation to switch his international allegiance and join Algeria.
The 19-year-old, who signed a professional contract with Lyon until 2029, has previously represented France at youth levels.
Despite interest from the FAF, including efforts from recruiter Mohssen Himour, Merah’s representatives, particularly his father, have emphasised that his career priorities lie with his club development and potential French national team progression.
Merah’s stance mirrors that of other young talents seeking to establish themselves in Europe before committing to international duty elsewhere.
His focus is reportedly inspired by the path of teammate Rayan Cherki, who broke into the senior French squad under Didier Deschamps and later secured a high-profile transfer to Manchester City.
Following Merah’s refusal, the FAF has reportedly stepped back from pursuing the Lyon midfielder. Observers note that the player has not shown public enthusiasm for Algeria, unlike Cherki’s occasional engagement, responding instead with polite smiles and evasions when questioned at mixed-zone interviews.
This development leaves Ibrahim Maza as the federation’s most notable recent success. The 20-year-old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder committed fully to Algeria and is expected to participate in upcoming international fixtures, including preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
Merah’s decision underscores the challenges facing the FAF in recruiting dual-nationality players, as young prospects increasingly weigh club ambitions and long-term career planning against international call-ups.
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