- Ait Nouri
- Houssem Aouar
- Algeria
“Benlamri surpassed everyone in the 2019 African Cup of Nations, of course he has his place in France”
The author of a tremendous journey for his first experience this year in Ligue 1, the second best player of Brest of the season, the goalkeeper Belkibela, returns in this exclusive interview given to the goalkeeper in his daily life in this holy month of Ramadan that it happens, for the first time since he became a professional, with his family. Guard, imprisonment ends in France, how did you experience that? We’ve just got out of confinement, you know, we’ve been allowed since May 11 to slowly resume normal life, that is, by respecting instructions like barrier gestures and everything that follows. We are also not allowed to travel more than 100 km. We try to talk as much as we can
What do you think of canceling the season this year in France? Frankly, it’s a good thing, we haven’t seen any danger in the middle of a pandemic. Then, for the soccer player, it is always difficult to resume competition after a pause like this and of course in front of the empty stands. The holidays were so long, and hard to stay without training, right? It is true that we are missing team training. After that, it is planned to return to the club this weekend to undergo coronavirus tests, in addition to the necessary medical checks. After that, we’ll be on vacation before resuming preparations for next season in a few days. Let’s go back to this virus that has paralyzed the world. Blida, the city you used to play is very touched, you are definitely watching what is happening in Algeria. Ah yes, I have to! It is true that in Blida, I tested my first choice with Algeria as president and I am not ready to forget this city. After that, I know that they are infected with this virus and wish them a lot of courage. Now, there is no other treatment than to educate the population to respect sanitary instructions. It is extremely important to remain confined insofar as it affects all groups of the population. The poor and the rich, the young and the old, no one survives this fast-spreading disease and you still have to stay home as much as possible and take care of your family and loved ones. As a Muslim, stopping the championship during this Ramadan period suits you, isn’t it? Yes, Alhamdulillah, I am allowed to spend this holy month with family and eat chorba mom (laughs). I haven’t experienced this in many years because Ramadan is often either in the pre-season or at the end of the tournament, so it was complicated compared to training in particular. So, let’s say, it’s an evil for the good of us, and all of the competitors are high-profile.
It is true that we are missing team training. After that, it is planned to return to the club this weekend to spend
As a Muslim, stopping the championship during this Ramadan period suits you, isn’t it?
Yes, Alhamdulillah, I am allowed to spend this holy month with family and eat chorba mom (laughs). I haven’t experienced this in many years because Ramadan is often either in the pre-season or at the end of the tournament, so it was complicated compared to training in particular. So, let’s say, it’s an evil for the good of us, and all of the competitors are high-profile.
Ramadan is exceptional for you this year?
Exactly, usually, I was always on my own to manage during Ramadan to prepare what was necessary, and there is necessarily much better with my family and loved ones.
You are also allowed to taste the bork with chorba mom?
(Laughs honestly) Yes exactly, Soup, Buraq, Brick, everything is there, we are very well served with the family.
Take a little greed from us or pay attention?
We’re a little anxious anyway (laughs) because we train a little less than usual, have less activity, so we shouldn’t quit either, after saying we’re fun from time to time while keeping reasonable.
Influenced by what is happening in France and Algeria as well, EN players multiply the upcoming calls to help the next word, a word related to these initiatives?
It is an obligation, in addition to the fact that this virus can affect your mother, father, sister or brother. Even if no one in the family has been affected, we must think of other people who have lost loved ones or contracted the virus, especially in this holy month. We have to help those in need, and we thank the hospital staff who fight every day to save lives.
Brest’s second-best player of the season In this poll conducted on the Breton crowd, what does he do for your first season in Ligue 1?
That’s beautiful, it means my work will be rewarded, let’s say. After that, I hope we ended the season but was complicated with the virus. Frankly, I am very happy with my first year in League 1 with Brest and I hope it continues that way, God willing.
You miss picking a goalkeeper, may you not see each other until next March?
Yes, I miss it so much especially that we had to hold a rally before announcing the reservation to play the CAN 2021 qualifiers. Unfortunately, this virus canceled everything. It was difficult for us to grasp this decision because we were so eager to meet again. But hey, it doesn’t matter, people’s health is a priority. God willing, it will pass quickly and we will soon find the national team.
You chose Algeria so young, you even played the Olympic Games with the Greens, and we would like you to have your opinion on players like Aouar, Ait Nouri and Cherki who speak slowly.
Listen, for me, my choice of Algeria was made a long time ago, after all his vision of things. As Riad (Mahrez) said, he allowed them to come forward and make their decision, and if they chose the heart, they would definitely choose Algeria. Now we’ll see in the future what will happen and then there.
Belmadi mentioned that the goal would be to win the next 2022 World Cup in Doha, how do you take this statement?
I agree with him and we all trust him. It’s his temperament, we all know the coach and the players, we’re competitors. We are not here to laugh, when we play the competition, it is to win. We don’t want to play the World Cup just to win a match, it is useless. We are African champions, we have to keep working.
We are talking about Jamel Benlamry against Lyon and Nice for next season, do you think he can win a tournament like Ligue 1?
To a large extent it has its place in the French championship. We saw his qualities in the African Cup and it is not an easy competition where the level is very high with players of great quality. After that, Jamal beat the competition. He was the best player in the African Cup of Nations so if he had the chance to play in France he would definitely win.
A final word to the Algerian people in the last ten days of Ramadan?
I tell them, pay attention, respect the instructions, stay home as much as possible. Take advantage of your family to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in the best possible way
