Amine Gouiri has publicly called on fellow dual nationals Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche to make a decision about their international futures, urging them to commit to Algeria sooner rather than later.
Speaking in an interview with Onze Mondial, the Olympique de Marseille forward—currently enjoying an impressive season and recently awarded for scoring the best goal in Ligue 1—touched on a range of subjects, including the makeup of the Algerian national team and the importance of timing for players with dual nationality.
Gouiri, who himself chose to represent Algeria in 2023 after a lengthy spell in the French youth setup, expressed both encouragement and caution in his message to Cherki and Akliouche, two Olympic silver medallists with eligibility for both France and Algeria.
“They’re more than welcome,” said the 25-year-old. “But they shouldn’t wait too long to decide. This is a squad that’s been building for some time now. We’ve played all the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup. These weren’t easy matches—long trips to places like Botswana, difficult conditions, and high stakes.”
Gouiri, who has earned 14 caps and scored six goals for Algeria since making his senior debut in October 2023, emphasised the team’s collective effort and the emotional weight of international duty.
“It’s tough to qualify. And if players show up only after the hard part is done—if they arrive after we’ve secured qualification—some players might not accept it,” he added. “But I’ve told them, if they join us, it will be a great decision.”
His comments come at a critical juncture, with Algeria facing three international windows before the start of the next Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on 24 December.
The national team is scheduled to play friendlies in June, followed by World Cup qualifiers in September and October. The call for early commitment is aimed at encouraging integration and fairness within the squad before these key fixtures.
Gouiri’s remarks also carry a certain irony, given his own trajectory. The former Lyon attacker represented France extensively at youth level, collecting 72 caps from U16 to U21. It wasn’t until the age of 23 that he made the switch to Algeria, making his debut for the Fennecs in October 2023.
His late decision, however, now seems to have ignited a sense of urgency in ensuring future talents commit in time to contribute meaningfully to the team’s development, rather than arriving once the groundwork has been laid by others.
Both Cherki and Akliouche remain eligible for either nation. Cherki, currently with Olympique Lyonnais, and Akliouche, a rising star at AS Monaco, are considered among the most technically gifted prospects of their generation. Their decisions could significantly impact the trajectory of Algerian football in the coming years.
For now, the Algerian football community—and Gouiri himself—waits for a response. With international opportunities on the horizon, the pressure is on for Cherki and Akliouche to choose their path and shape their international futures.
