Young midfielder Yacine Titraoui, now a player for Sporting Charleroi in Belgium, clearly displays his ambition to wear the jersey of the Algerian national team.
In an interview for the Belgian newspaper The eveningthe former Paradou AC player spoke about his motivations, his adaptation challenges and his ultimate dream: joining the Fennecs under the direction of Vladimir Petkovic. For now, he has only known the A' selection with whom he won the FIFA Arab Cup in 2021.
Aged only 21, Titraoui confides that the World 2014 marked a turning point in his life. “It was while watching Algeria’s progress in 2014 that I decided to become a footballer”recalls the central midfielder, explaining that the Greens' performances had awakened in him a deep determination to represent his country. This is what led him to leave Algerian Ligue 1 to go to Belgium.
Transferred this summer from Paradou AC to Charleroi for an amount of 1.2 million euros, Titraoui considers this change as a real springboard to achieve his goals. “I signed for Charleroi to get closer to the national team“, he said, sure of himself. This first contract abroad, lasting three years with an option for an additional year, represents a decisive turning point in his career.
Titraoui makes his hole
However, the beginnings in Belgium were not easy. “At the beginning, it was morally difficult. It's my first experience abroad and it's been three years since I started with Paradou, but I'm a strong person in the head.“, admits the neo-zebra. Despite these challenges, he was able to gradually integrate, obtaining a starting place twice. Since then, he has played 10 matches, including eight in the Pro League.
His performances, notably against Westerlo and Genk where he started the matches, made noise. Collectively, the Algerian is pragmatic: “We showed a good level, but the defeat remains frustrating. We must continue working to turn these efforts into victory“. A lucid analysis with a view to the next challenge: a derby against Standard de Liège, eighth and four points behind Sporting. “We have a good dynamic at the moment, and the atmosphere in training is positive. This derby is special for our fans, and we will do everything to give them the three points“. As generous towards his supporters as in ambitions.
