Ali Abdi apologises again as Tunisia return remains uncertain for November

Ali Abdi has apologised once more to Tunisia supporters over comments he made on his French club Nice’s YouTube channel, insisting his words did not reflect his true feelings towards his country or the national team.

The defender caused anger among Tunisian fans when he said he would have preferred to remain with Nice rather than join Tunisia before the World Cup. The comments were made ahead of the first leg against Saint-Etienne in last season’s relegation play-off.

Abdi’s latest apology was issued through the official Tunisia national team channel, following an earlier statement published on his Instagram account. It comes only a few weeks before Tunisia’s November camp, when they are due to face Libya in the third and fourth rounds of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

The Nice player said he had chosen his words badly and failed to communicate his point properly.

“Tunis is my country and it raised me. I would never trade Tunisia for anything,” he said.

Abdi added that representing the national team was a major honour and that his decision to join up with Tunisia, as well as playing for them, demonstrated his commitment to the country.

He said he understood the anger and reactions from supporters, and apologised to anyone who felt offended or interpreted his comments differently from what he intended.

Abdi also called for greater unity around the national team, saying the current period required more solidarity and collective effort as Tunisia seek to rebuild confidence and secure qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations.

He rejected any distinction between Tunisian players born in the country and those who grew up abroad, arguing that a player’s birthplace did not determine their level of attachment to the team. He said relationships within the squad were based on brotherhood and respect.

The 31-year-old also reflected on the international retirements of Ellyes Skhiri and Naim Sliti, praising their contributions to Tunisia.

Abdi said he had learned a great deal from Skhiri, particularly about discipline and work, while also commending Sliti’s character and his contribution to strengthening the team spirit within the group.

He revealed that he had tried to persuade Skhiri to continue his international career and wished him a swift recovery and return to football.

The renewed apology follows Abdi’s absence from Tunisia’s most recent camp. Head coach Mouine Chaabani said at the time that the player had been left out for technical and disciplinary reasons.

With the squad for the November camp expected to be announced soon, Abdi’s return remains dependent on the coaching staff’s decisions. The player is now attempting to close the chapter on the controversy caused by his earlier comments.