Youcef Belkaid, one of Algeria’s brightest young footballing prospects, has opened up about his journey through the ranks at Paradou AC, his experience with the national team, and the aspirations fueling his future.
Promoted to the U21 squad this season, the 17-year-old midfielder has already caught the attention of coaches and fans alike with his maturity on the pitch and technical prowess.
Speaking during an exclusive interview conducted on 18 April, Belkaid shared his first impressions of Algeria U20 head coach Razik Nedder.
“Honestly, you can tell right away that he’s a very straightforward person. He wants to train young people capable of joining the A teams, not just doing internships,” he said. “He pushes the group to excel at every session.”
Belkaid has spent the last seven years at Paradou AC, having joined the club in 2017 after impressing during a friendly match.
“I grew up at the academy, I learned everything there,” he said. “Paradou is a bit like a second home for me.”
Despite being eligible for the U19s, Belkaid was elevated to the U21s this season and became a regular starter.
“I scored four goals and provided five or six assists. I’m happy with what I’m showing, especially being younger than most of my opponents.”
His contribution helped Paradou reach the Algerian Cup final in a campaign filled with tightly contested matches.
“It was a real obstacle course,” he recalled. “We didn’t give up.”
Belkaid’s development owes much to Paradou’s renowned training methods, which include daily barefoot sessions.
“Honestly, it helped me a lot technically. You feel like you’re controlling the ball better, you have more finesse in your touches.”
A product of Paradou’s structured and rigorous academy schedule, Belkaid juggles training and education.
“We get up around 6:30 or 7:00… and in the evening we have another training session. It’s well-regulated, a real discipline.”
He also reflected on his experience in the 2022 Arab Cup, where he shone in Algeria’s midfield.
“I’m a player who plays without pressure. On the contrary, it’s a factor that boosts me on the field,” he said.
Belkaid idolises Barcelona’s Pedri and embraces the possession-oriented style promoted by his Spanish coach at Paradou.
“He calls me Vitinha,” Belkaid said with a laugh. “I like the way Barça and City play. It’s clean, they play the ball.”
Looking ahead, Belkaid remains grounded yet ambitious. “Inshallah with the seniors. And then, going to Europe,” he said. “I want to succeed. Not just leave.”
Despite the challenges faced by many young talents in Algeria, Belkaid remains optimistic.
“I tell [supporters] to believe in local players. There’s a lot of talent here. If we had four or five academies like Paradou, the national team would win every title.”
