On the eve of an important match in the third round of World Cup qualifiers against Benin, Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic expressed his frustration with the attitude of some players and the general sentiment towards the national team. He mentioned a perceived hypocrisy among players, noting that while they are proud to wear the national jersey during matches, there is less enthusiasm when not playing. Halilhodzic pointed out deep-seated uneasiness within the team, with some players considering themselves better scorers, goalkeepers, or overall players. He attributed part of this issue to external influences, such as agents, families, and media, shaping players’ perceptions. The coach emphasized that reading media coverage often portrays Algerian players as the best, even when some are not regular starters for their clubs. Halilhodzic’s comments reflect his concerns about the mental state of the team and the challenges he faces in managing player expectations and attitudes.
