Foued Kadir, with 17 starts and 5 goals, finds himself in a challenging phase of his career. Both he and his club, Rennes, are struggling, having suffered their third consecutive defeat last weekend, leaving them in 16th place in Ligue 1 and perilously close to the relegation zone. With less than three months remaining before the World Cup, the Algerian player is grappling with uncertainties.
Kadir attributes his recent struggles to physical setbacks encountered in December and January, which disrupted his rhythm. He expresses a strong desire to finish the season on a high note, aiming to contribute significantly to Rennes’ survival in the league. Additionally, he acknowledges the looming specter of the World Cup with Algeria, acknowledging that his performances for Stade Rennais will heavily influence his chances of securing a spot in the Algerian squad for the tournament.
Aware of the stakes, Vahid Halilhodzic, the coach of the Algerian national team, has already cautioned his players. He has made it clear that those who fail to feature prominently or perform adequately at the club level may find themselves excluded from the World Cup squad. This adds further pressure on Kadir and his teammates to elevate their game and deliver impactful performances in the remaining matches of the season.