Montpellier striker Andy Delort has expressed his desire to represent Algeria, invoking his maternal roots to obtain Algerian nationality and potentially feature for the Fennecs at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Born in France, the 27-year-old revealed that his mother, grandfather, and great-grandfather are Algerian, and he has made a deliberate decision to pursue eligibility for the national team.
“It’s true, it surprised everyone, but it’s a well-considered decision,” Delort said. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I’ve made my decision, and we’re taking the necessary steps so that I can serve Algeria.” The Montpellier striker, who previously played for Wigan Athletic in England’s second division, has enjoyed the best season of his career in Ligue 1 and sees representing Algeria as a meaningful step both personally and professionally.
Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi confirmed that Delort had proactively initiated the process. “It was Andy Delort who came forward. He was extremely proactive in terms of communication. I was just as surprised as you, even though I had the information two weeks before it came out. He told me his mother is Algerian and that he was going to start the process. I said that’s great for him. From a sporting perspective, he’s made his intentions clear. Tomorrow, if he has his Algerian papers, he’ll be considered,” Belmadi told beIN Sport, adding that official selection would depend on paperwork and evaluation.
Delort began his professional career at AC Ajaccio in Ligue 2 before moving abroad to play in England and Mexico. Despite his career abroad, he has now returned to France and achieved a standout season with Montpellier, drawing attention from both national and international observers.
As of now, Delort has not yet met with officials from the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), and the federation has not publicly commented on his decision. If cleared to play, the striker could potentially be included in Algeria’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, scheduled from June 21 to July 19, adding depth and attacking options for the reigning continental champions.
Delort’s case underscores the growing trend of dual-nationality players exploring their eligibility to represent countries of their heritage, combining personal identity with professional opportunity. For Algeria, his potential inclusion would offer a versatile forward who has proven his scoring ability and adaptability across multiple leagues.
