ALG: Ramy Bensebaïni’s Dortmund future under serious doubt ahead of World Cup

Ramy Bensebaïni appears to be approaching the end of his time at Borussia Dortmund, with the Algerian international increasingly linked with a summer departure as uncertainty continues to surround his future at the German club.

The defender, who is currently sidelined through injury and entering the final year of his contract, has yet to receive any indication from Borussia Dortmund over a possible extension.

That situation has fuelled growing speculation that the Bundesliga side could part ways with the Algeria international before the start of next season.

Bensebaïni’s absence will continue this weekend when Dortmund travel to Werder Bremen for the final round of Bundesliga fixtures.

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner is still recovering and will not be available for the match, although he is expected to return in time for Algeria’s upcoming preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

The defender is widely expected to be included in Vladimir Petkovic’s squad for the friendly against the Netherlands in Rotterdam on 3 June before Algeria head to the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The tournament is set to mark Bensebaïni’s first appearance on football’s biggest stage, making the timing of his club uncertainty even more significant.

Despite remaining an experienced figure within Dortmund’s squad, recent developments suggest the club may already be preparing for life without him.

Borussia Dortmund’s decision to recruit highly rated French defender Joane Gadou from Red Bull Salzburg has been interpreted as a strong indication that the club is reshaping its defensive options for the future.

The 19-year-old arrives with a growing reputation and is expected to compete alongside German international Nico Schlotterbeck in Dortmund’s defensive structure.

The move has inevitably increased competition within the squad and placed further pressure on Bensebaïni’s position in the hierarchy.

At the same time, Waldemar Anton continues to enjoy the confidence of coach Nico Kovac, while Daniel Svensson has strengthened his place on the left side of defence.

Those developments have left Bensebaïni facing an increasingly difficult path toward securing a guaranteed starting role.

The Algerian defender joined Borussia Dortmund after establishing himself in the Bundesliga with Borussia Mönchengladbach and previously impressing in France with Rennes.

His versatility and experience initially made him an important addition to Dortmund’s squad, capable of operating both centrally and as a left-back.

However, injuries and tactical competition have complicated his situation during recent months.

With only one year remaining on his current contract and no renewal discussions publicly advanced, Dortmund may now prefer to sell the player rather than risk losing him for free next year.

Interest from Turkish champions Galatasaray has continued to intensify in recent transfer windows.

Reports have suggested the Istanbul club were willing to invest heavily to bring Bensebaïni to Turkey earlier this year, underlining the level of demand that still exists for the experienced defender.

Yet the player himself has remained focused on his immediate objectives with Algeria.

The upcoming World Cup represents a major milestone in his career, and a strong tournament could potentially reopen doors to Europe’s biggest leagues.

The possibility of a move to England or Italy has also been mentioned around the player, with the Premier League and Serie A both viewed as attractive destinations should he perform well internationally.

For now, though, Bensebaïni has not publicly commented on his future or confirmed any transfer intentions.

What remains clear is that the coming months could prove decisive.

Borussia Dortmund are entering a period of defensive transition, and Bensebaïni’s role within that project appears increasingly uncertain.

The signing of younger defenders, combined with the absence of contract extension talks, has only reinforced the feeling that his chapter at Signal Iduna Park may soon close.

For Algeria, however, the immediate concern is his fitness.

Petkovic is expected to rely heavily on Bensebaïni’s leadership and experience during the World Cup campaign.

The defender remains one of the most recognisable figures in the national side and is viewed as a key component of Algeria’s defensive structure.

His recovery from injury will therefore be closely monitored in the coming weeks, both by supporters of Borussia Dortmund and by Algerian fans hoping to see one of their most experienced internationals fully fit for the global tournament.

Whether his future lies in Germany, Turkey or elsewhere in Europe, Bensebaïni is approaching one of the most important periods of his career — with both his club future and World Cup ambitions hanging in the balance.