Nice considered Hatem Ben Arfa comeback in 2026

Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivère reportedly explored the possibility of bringing Hatem Ben Arfa back to the club in January 2026, according to reports from Nice-Matin.

The former France international had been without a professional team since leaving Lille in 2022, although he had not officially announced his retirement.

Rivère, who originally signed Ben Arfa in 2015, apparently contacted the 39-year-old while Nice were experiencing difficulties. The proposal would have allowed Ben Arfa to train with the first team, rebuild his fitness and potentially feature for 20, 30 or 40 minutes late in the campaign.

Coach Claude Puel reportedly worried that the idea could create unrealistic expectations among supporters. He eventually accepted it conditionally, asking Ben Arfa either to prepare in Paris first or begin with Nice’s reserve side. The plan to get him back into active football ultimately collapsed.

Ben Arfa began his career in Île-de-France with Boulogne-Billancourt and Versailles before entering Clairefontaine in 1999. After three years, he joined Lyon and won four Ligue 1 titles. He later moved from centre-forward to striker, joined Marseille for €11 million in 2008, won the 2009-10 league title and 2010 Coupe de la Ligue, then joined Newcastle on loan in 2010.