Carlo Boukhalfa found the net for St. Pauli in their Bundesliga clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, as speculation continues to swirl around his potential call-up to the Algerian national team.
The 25-year-old midfielder, who holds dual German-Algerian nationality, played a pivotal role in securing a valuable point for St. Pauli against the title challengers.
With Leverkusen sitting second in the table and St. Pauli still fighting to ensure their top-flight survival, the stakes could not have been more different heading into the encounter.
Boukhalfa’s contribution came at a critical juncture. Capitalising on a moment of disorganisation in the Leverkusen defence, he pounced to score his second goal of the season — a timely strike that proved decisive in the 1-1 draw.
The result leaves St. Pauli eight points clear of the relegation zone with just four matches remaining in the 2024–2025 Bundesliga campaign.
The former Freiburg player, who joined St. Pauli at the start of the season, has steadily grown in stature during his debut year in Germany’s top division.
While not among the most high-profile dual nationals, his consistent performances and presence in one of Europe’s elite leagues are increasingly drawing attention from the Algerian Football Federation.
Although no official announcement has been made, Boukhalfa’s name has surfaced repeatedly in discussions around potential reinforcements for the Algerian midfield.
The national side is believed to be monitoring his development closely as they look to broaden their talent pool with European-based players.
Despite the swirling rumours, Boukhalfa has maintained focus on his club duties, emerging as a reliable presence in the heart of St. Pauli’s midfield.
His goal against a Champions League-bound side like Leverkusen is likely to further strengthen his case for national selection.
With Algeria preparing for key fixtures later this year, the coming weeks could prove crucial in determining whether Boukhalfa’s rise in the Bundesliga will be rewarded with an international debut.
For now, he remains firmly focused on helping St. Pauli secure their Bundesliga status — though the eyes of Algiers may well be watching closely.
