Karim Benzema praised Adil Boulbina after the young Algerian forward delivered a stunning hat-trick in Al-Duhail’s 4–2 win over Al-Ittihad in the Asian Champions League.
Boulbina dominated the match from the right flank and struck in the 5th, 33rd and 55th minutes.
He controlled the tempo with sharp movement and relentless attacking play while Al-Ittihad struggled to contain him.
His display shifted the entire momentum of the contest and set the tone for Al-Duhail’s victory.
Benzema hit back with goals in the 76th and 83rd minutes, yet the French captain could not change the outcome.
He walked off the pitch visibly frustrated but spoke with clear respect for the 22-year-old who had troubled his side throughout the evening.
When reporters questioned him about Boulbina’s performance, he replied, “He’s good, he’s good, he’s strong,” a short statement that carried weight from a Ballon d’Or winner.
The moment reflected a night in which Boulbina overshadowed every other storyline. His form this season drew increasing praise from Djamel Belmadi, who highlighted the striker’s rapid development and insisted he “has a bright future ahead of him.”
Boulbina’s rise, however, created an unusual contradiction for Algeria. Despite consistent standout performances, Vladimir Petkovic still kept him out of the senior national team.
Instead, the forward will feature for the A’ selection at the upcoming Arab Cup in Qatar, a decision that sparked debate among supporters who view him as one of the season’s major revelations.
Benzema’s acknowledgement added further recognition to a player whose stock continues to grow in Qatar and beyond.
