Bentaleb candidly recounted the numerous setbacks he faced before securing a place at Spurs: “I was released several times, and many clubs were unwilling to give me a chance. Lille let me go at the age of 14, just when you start seriously dreaming of becoming a professional footballer. It was an incredibly challenging moment, and I had two options: either give up or prove them wrong,” he revealed in The Sun.
Reflecting on the past five years, which included stints at Mouscron, Dunkirk, and Birmingham City, Bentaleb emphasized the pivotal role of a trial that ultimately opened the doors to Tottenham for him: “This trial was crucial for my career. I didn’t view it as my last chance; I simply aimed to impress the recruiters. Fortunately, everything went well, allowing me to sign here,” he added.
