From French prodigy to Algerian star: the shifting allegiance of Houssem Aouar
In short: Born in Lyon to Algerian parents, Houssem Aouar once stood on the precipice of a French international career. After a single senior appearance and a COVID-19 setback, the midfielder made a profound decision to switch his footballing loyalty, finding a second chance with the Algerian national team.
Houssem-Eddine Chaâbane Aouar’s journey through elite football began in the Olympique Lyonnais academy, which he joined in 2009 at age 11. A standout talent, he was eventually handed the symbolic number 8 shirt—previously worn by club legend Juninho—following the departure of Corentin Tolisso in June 2017. His early professional years were marked by rapid ascent, including a 2018 Golden Boy nomination and a memorable Champions League campaign in 2019 where Lyon upset giants like Manchester City and Juventus.
Despite his rise in France, Aouar's international trajectory was complex. He represented France at various youth levels, including the under-21 side in 2019. While he earned a senior cap for France in October 2020 during a friendly against Ukraine, his path was interrupted by a positive COVID-19 test in August 2020 that forced him into isolation and led to his replacement in the national squad by Nabil Fekir.
In March 2023, Aouar made the pivotal decision to switch his allegiance to Algeria, the country of his parents' origin. Reflecting on the move, he expressed regret over his initial choice to play for France, noting that the opportunity to join the Algerian Football Federation felt like a 'second chance.' Since this transition, he has competed in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and was named in Algeria's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Aouar's club career has seen him move across major leagues. After seven seasons at Lyon, he signed a five-year contract with Italy's Roma in June 2023. Most recently, in July 2024, he joined the Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad for a reported fee of €12 million, continuing a career defined by technical excellence and adaptability in the midfield.
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