Algerian international Adam Ounas is once again at a crossroads in his career after Al Sadd SC opted not to extend his contract, bringing a premature end to his stint in Qatari football.
The 27-year-old winger, who joined the Doha-based club last summer with aspirations of reigniting a faltering career, failed to make the desired impact.
Despite the fanfare surrounding his arrival, Ounas was not registered in the domestic league due to his late signing and was limited to appearances in the Asian Champions League.
There, his contribution was minimal—just five matches, a solitary goal, and a red card that ruled him out of the competition’s closing stages.
According to reports from local media, Al Sadd’s management has decided against offering the former LOSC Lille player a contract renewal, effectively making him a free agent once again.
It marks yet another chapter in a career that has struggled to find sustained momentum.
This latest disappointment adds to a series of setbacks that have plagued Ounas since his move from Bordeaux to Napoli in 2017.
At the Italian club, he struggled to secure regular minutes and was eventually loaned out to several clubs in France and Italy, including OGC Nice and Cagliari, without ever truly establishing himself.
His transfer to Lille in 2022 was widely seen as an opportunity to reboot his career in Ligue 1. However, despite earning a reported annual salary of €2.7 million, his time at the club was overshadowed by inconsistency, frequent injuries, and disciplinary issues.
A deteriorating relationship with head coach Paulo Fonseca led to Ounas being demoted to the reserves before his eventual departure.
The move to Qatar was supposed to be a turning point—a chance to rebuild in a less pressurised environment. Instead, it has only deepened concerns surrounding both his physical resilience and mental fortitude.
Once heralded as one of Algeria’s brightest prospects during his time at Bordeaux, Ounas now finds himself without a club while many of his contemporaries are reaching the prime of their careers.
Speculation around his next destination is growing. Some reports suggest he could be headed to Saudi Arabia, where clubs continue to invest heavily in experienced international players.
Others hint at a potential move to the United States, where Major League Soccer has increasingly become a refuge for European-based players seeking a fresh start.
Meanwhile, a section of supporters from MC Alger—one of Algeria’s most storied clubs—are reportedly hopeful of seeing him return to play in his home country.
As of now, however, no formal offers have been confirmed. The uncertainty surrounding Ounas’s next step reflects the broader challenge he faces in rebuilding a career that once held so much promise but has, in recent years, been marred by missed opportunities and recurring setbacks.
With the summer transfer window opening, Ounas remains a player of undoubted technical quality, but any club willing to take a chance will be looking for signs that he can rediscover the form and discipline that once made him a standout talent. Whether that opportunity materialises in the Gulf, North Africa, or across the Atlantic remains to be seen.
Adam Ounas ne devrait pas prolonger avec Al Sadd ! 🇶🇦❌
(@3zozing via @GioOunas) pic.twitter.com/DIuFLvly0H
— ⭐️ Squadra Khadra 🇩🇿 (@Squadra213) June 16, 2025
