The young Spanish-Algerian talent from Atlético Madrid, Rayane Belaid, left the Algerian team to opt for his native country, Spain. The player explains, for the first time, his choice.
Exactly a year ago, Algeria lost two Spanish-Algerian gems. They are Yanis Senhadji (Real Betis) and Rayane Belaid (Atletico Madrid). And yet selectable for the national U18 selection, they ended up opting for the Spanish U19 selection.
We remember well that this was not to the taste of former national coach Djamel Belmadi. The latter did not hesitate to criticize the national technical direction (DTN) of the Algerian Football Federation for a certain naivety. “Basically, our approach is not bad. In terms of form, there was clumsiness and naivety. I don’t like the idea of being shot at, it’s simply that these players had said, according to the DTN, that they wanted to join the EN,” he declared in November 2023.
Belaid explains his choice to opt for his native country
A year later, Rayane Belaid speaks to explain her choice. Obviously, he does not regret it and says he is proud to represent his native country.
“At the beginning, Algeria selected me. And a week later, Spain calls me. I was asked to wait before accepting Algeria’s offer in case the national team called me and that happened. I decided it with my family, we understood that it was the best for me and that’s what happened,” he explained.
Born on November 2, 2005 in Orihuela, Spain, Rayane Belaid is a left winger. He was trained at Atletico Madrid, where he completed all his classes. He currently plays in the “Colchoneros” reserve team. It remains to be seen whether he will have the chance, but also the level, to represent “La Roja” in the future, or whether he will end up opting for his country of origin, Algeria.
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