Nabil Fékir Shines at Lyon as National Team Decision Looms
By BBC Sport – Football
Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Nabil Fékir continues to impress with his standout performances this season, attracting growing attention not only from fans and pundits, but also from national team selectors.
Though yet to officially commit to a national team, Fékir has taken a step towards France by accepting a call-up to the French Under-21 squad. The 21-year-old, who remains eligible to play for Algeria through his heritage, now faces a pivotal decision about his international future — one that could shape his career for years to come.
Fékir’s technical brilliance and composure on the ball have not gone unnoticed. Among his admirers is former Algerian international and current RMC/BFM pundit Ali Benarbia, who provided commentary during the recent AS Saint-Étienne vs Lyon derby.
“He’s the darling of this Lyon team,” Benarbia said. “He’s impressive physically and technically. He has the ability to retain possession under pressure, which allows his team to recover. He makes decisive passes, has a great left foot, and can take set pieces. He’s truly a complete player.”
Fékir’s contributions have been central to Lyon’s resurgence in Ligue 1, with the attacking midfielder often linking play and creating scoring opportunities with maturity beyond his years. His rising profile has reignited the long-standing debate between France and Algeria over dual-national players — a familiar story in international football.
For now, Fékir remains focused on his club performances, but as his influence grows, so too will the pressure to make a definitive choice. Whether he ultimately represents Les Bleus or the Fennecs, one thing is clear: a bright international future awaits this gifted young talent.
