Nabil Bentaleb has revealed he was urged by his former coach and top officials at Tottenham Hotspur to reject a call-up from Algeria in favour of representing England, in a candid interview reflecting on one of the most personal decisions of his career.
Speaking on the Kampo Media podcast, the 30-year-old midfielder, now with French side Lille, described the intense pressure he faced at the age of 19 when choosing his national allegiance.
At the time, Bentaleb was a rising star at Spurs, having broken into the first team and featured prominently across league, cup and European matches.
“Choosing Algeria was something I knew in my heart,” he said. “When the national team called me, my coach at the time and even Daniel Levy, the club president, told me not to accept.
They mentioned that Roy Hodgson was interested in me for the England squad for Euro 2016. I would have been eligible.”
The young Bentaleb, however, remained unmoved by the prospect of representing England, or even France, where he was born.
Instead, he remained resolute in honouring his Algerian roots, despite entreaties from powerful agents and key figures within English football.
“There was a big-name agent who came to see me. He said, ‘Don’t go with Algeria. Pick France or England. Your career will go further.’
But honestly, I didn’t care. For me, it was Algeria. It felt like the ultimate dream,” he explained.
That firm conviction led to a meeting with Mohamed Raouraoua, then president of the Algerian Football Federation, on 14 February 2014, where Bentaleb formally committed to representing the North African nation. Less than a month later, he made his debut for the Greens in a 2-0 victory over Slovenia in Blida.
His performances soon earned him a spot in Algeria’s squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, marking the start of a memorable international career.
Over the years, Bentaleb collected 53 caps and scored five goals for his country, establishing himself as a key presence in midfield through several major tournaments.
“I’m proud to have made that decision,” he said. “No matter what anyone said or promised, I’ve never regretted it. Playing for Algeria was everything to me.”
The midfielder’s emotional reflections shed light on the dilemma many dual-nationality players face when navigating early career decisions. Bentaleb’s story, however, is marked by an unwavering clarity that stands out—especially in an era where career advancement often influences such choices.
His candid remarks offered a rare look behind the scenes of elite football, where identity, pressure, and ambition often collide.
Despite all that was on offer, Bentaleb’s choice to represent Algeria was rooted in pride, heritage and personal conviction—values that continue to define his footballing journey.
As he concluded: “Playing for Algeria was the pinnacle. That shirt meant more than anything anyone could offer.”
Bentaleb : ”Ne choisis pas l’Algérie !” 📣 Kampo, votre nouveau podcast foot de référence ! 📣 Ici, vous découvrirez les meilleurs extraits de Kampo, votre nouveau terrain de jeu ! pic.twitter.com/kSJ3IWa5fx
— Kampo (@Kampo_media) April 16, 2025
