Algeria midfielder Ismaël Bennacer joins Al-Gharafa after AC Milan exit

Algerian international Ismaël Bennacer has completed a move to Qatar Stars League side Al-Gharafa, bringing an end to his spell with Italian giants AC Milan.

The 28-year-old midfielder joins the Qatari club as a free agent after leaving Milan this summer, with Al-Gharafa officially confirming his arrival. The club, however, did not disclose the financial details or length of the agreement.

Bennacer’s move to Qatar represents an opportunity for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner to revive his career after a difficult period plagued by injuries.

The Algerian midfielder established himself as an important figure at AC Milan following his arrival from Empoli in 2019. He went on to make a significant contribution to the club’s midfield and was part of the team that won the Serie A title in the 2021/22 season.

However, recurring fitness problems have disrupted his progress in recent years and limited his playing time with the Rossoneri.

Bennacer has not featured in a competitive match for Milan since 2025, while a series of loan spells, including stints with Marseille and Dinamo Zagreb, further highlighted the difficulties he faced in maintaining consistency.

His injury problems also affected his international career, with the midfielder missing Algeria’s most recent FIFA World Cup campaign after failing to regain full fitness.

Despite those setbacks, Bennacer remains an experienced midfielder with a wealth of international and club-level experience. He was one of the standout players during Algeria’s successful 2019 AFCON campaign, when the Desert Foxes lifted the continental trophy.

His decision to join Al-Gharafa is therefore viewed as an opportunity to regain regular playing time, rebuild his confidence and return to his best physical condition.

The Qatari side will hope the Algerian can bring his technical quality, passing ability and experience to their midfield as they compete in the Qatar Stars League.

For Bennacer, the immediate priority will be to stay fit and establish himself as a key player at Al-Gharafa as he looks to relaunch his career and potentially return to the international spotlight with Algeria.