Yacine Brahimi has indicated that he does not intend to return to the Algeria national team, bringing an end to speculation about a possible international comeback.
The 36-year-old Al-Gharafa forward said his focus is currently on his club career and urged Algeria’s new coaching staff to give younger players an opportunity to establish themselves with the national team.
Brahimi’s comments come after reports suggested that he and Youcef Belaïli, the Espérance Sportive de Tunis forward, could be recalled by new Algeria coach Ibrahim Hamdani for the upcoming international programme.
However, those reports were previously denied, with the pair not included in the extended list of 50 players from which Hamdani was expected to select his squad.
Algeria are due to face Zambia and Burundi on 25 and 29 September respectively in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, before playing Niger in a friendly on 6 October.
Brahimi has now made his position clear.
Speaking to Algerian platform Sporteam, the Al-Gharafa player said a return to the national team was not part of his current ambitions and that the opportunity should instead go to the emerging generation.
“Honestly, as I said about the national team, the young players are doing a great job. I am comfortable at Al Gharafa, and the opportunity should be given to the young players. It is the right time for them. Currently, the national team is not among my goals.”
Brahimi has not contacted Hamdani
Brahimi also confirmed that he has not been in contact with Hamdani since the coach took charge of the national side.
The former Algeria international said his only wish was for the new coaching staff and the players to succeed.
“No, I have not contacted him. The only thing I wish for is success for our national team, because they deserve it. I hope that the new coaching staff does a good job, because they have very good players. The only thing I can do is support the national team, and that’s it.”
His comments strongly suggest that the midfielder has decided to bring his international career to a close and concentrate on his performances for Al-Gharafa.
Brahimi’s international career began in 2013, and he went on to become an important figure for Algeria across more than a decade.
His decision comes at a time when the national team is beginning a new phase under Hamdani, with the coach expected to assess a wide group of players before finalising his squad for the upcoming matches.
The possibility of Brahimi and Belaïli returning had generated considerable interest, but the reports about their inclusion in the squad were not supported by their presence on the extended list.
Brahimi has now removed much of the uncertainty himself by stating that international football is no longer among his objectives.
A decorated international career
Brahimi leaves behind a significant record with the Algerian national team.
According to Transfermarkt data, he made 72 international appearances for Algeria’s first and reserve teams, scoring 15 goals and providing 14 assists.
One of the defining moments of his international career came at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where Algeria won the tournament.
Brahimi was also part of the Algerian reserve team that won the 2021 Arab Cup in Qatar.
Those successes form an important part of a career in which Brahimi represented Algeria for many years before stepping away from international football.
At 36, the Al-Gharafa star now appears ready to leave the national team stage to a younger generation.
Rather than seeking another call-up, Brahimi has publicly backed the emerging players and expressed his support for the national side from outside the squad.
His message also places the focus on Hamdani’s new project and the players who will be tasked with carrying Algeria forward.
For now, Brahimi’s priorities lie with Al-Gharafa, while Algeria prepare for a new chapter without one of the experienced players who helped the country achieve major success in recent years.
