Sofiane Feghouli: "For the heart and for history, you have to opt for Algeria!"

When we saw Feghouli join the locker room running and disappointed following the bitter defeat against Sporting de Gijón, we feared that the interview he had promised us a few weeks before was not postponed.But, it was necessary to count without the sense of honor of the captain of the national team.Here is the message he had left us the day after the match: "Salam, I hope it's okay.It's just to tell you that I stay at the gymnasium with the holders this morning and that we see each other after the posadas hotel which is stuck to the training center just above.I think I finish around 12:30 pm at the latest ”.At 12:30 pm batteries, Feghouli appears upon receipt of the hotel adjoining the Paterna training center with its usual outfit, black jogging, basketball and orange jacket of FC Valence for the needs of the interview.The exchange could begin.An exciting exchange that will last half an hour and more out-camura.Appreciate!

Feghouli opens his heart to the Fennec Gazette

full interview in video:

Salam Aleykoum Sofiane and thank you for once again welcomed us here in Valence.

It’s a pleasure as usual.

It's been almost two months that you no longer played.You resumed with 30 minutes then you chained by a full match against Gijón.How do you feel ?

I am first very happy to be able to replay, it is clear.It's nice because the sensations were very good.I am very happy, everything went well at personal level even if I finished the very very tired match.I did 90 minutes, but that was not what was planned.I had to hold my teeth.Now, I'm going to get back the pace little by little, I'm going to catch the breath as we say and everything will go back to normal.

We saw you annoyed at the end of the match against Gijón.It’s not your habits.What was it due to?Fatigue or the end result?

A bit both.It is frustrating to lose these kinds of matches when we have to win it with a lot because we have dominated almost the whole game.There was also fatigue, I was indeed tired at the end of the match, I had cramps.So there were both a bit.

What's going on in Valence?It's been a good time that the team no longer wins ...

It is difficult to give an explanation, to give reason.I think it's little details that make this season very very difficult this season.Since I was at the club, it's the worst season from a statistical point of view.Afterwards, it was true that we missed efficiency in certain meetings, it really lacks us.The match against Gijón reflects the Valence season well.This is a match where we have to make 2-0 at halftime.At the end, we do not score and we miss five clear opportunities and then, on a youth error, we concede a penalty.Now, it's up to us to be united, it is in these moments that the team must be the most united.We must continue to work, that's what we do.We must be much more demanding, give the best of ourselves and one day it will end up paying because in this team there is still quality, there are players who have good potential and we are luckyto have an audience that supports us.We have to hang on because we are in a big club.Valence is not in its real place, each of us must do its best and raise our level of play.We are all responsible, the leaders, the coaches and the players who are the first actors.

Yesterday before the match, we made a little report with the supporters and they were all unanimous to say that Sofiane must remain a few more seasons.Already, what does it do to you to learn this mark of confidence and why does this extension slow to come?

Already, it is always very important to have the support of the public.It's always good to know that we are supported.Whenever I go to training, supporters ask me: ‘So Sofiane are you going to stay with us?’ They want me to extend.It’s a brand of recognition that flatters me.This is important because it is the recognition of my daily work and my qualities.Then it takes time for the simple reason that the two parties seek to find an agreement.There are a lot of players who have renovated before me.I am the last.So it takes time.Me, as I always said, I want to extend the adventure in Valence, I am very happy here in this championship, this city pleases me, in addition the supporters are behind me.Here, I am really happy, after it is details that make my club and my entourage did not agree.For my part, I am positive and patient so that, at the end, the two parties are happy.There is no reason for the adventure to stop there because I have always said that I would like to register in this club, even why not make my career in Valence if it does notThere are no other higher clubs in Valencia that are manifested.There are very few, maybe eight, nine.I am in a top club, there are very few clubs better than Valence.I see myself here in the long term, I hope to play a lot of meetings, I am in the process of records here.The grass is not greener elsewhere.

Have you ever doubted a little about your future?Be injured and at the end of the contract, you can be worried, right?

Not worried.I know my qualities, I know my potential, I know what I am capable of even if I am at the end of the contract.I already know that my club wants me and that I want to continue.I already have my club who wants me and that is the most important.There is no reason to be worried.I'm fine here, it's going well, I have playing time, it's the most important for a footballer because when we don't play, we are unhappy and we want to see elsewhere to have playing time,it happens like that in all clubs.Here, I have playing time and I'm really happy, I don't have to complain because I have a superb situation.Here, I have fun every weekend even if this season is more difficult than the others.

We talked about the beauty of the city, your status as a holder, but we forgot the confidence of the coach.From the first training, Gary Neville was not praised on you, will this weigh in your decision to stay?

The coach is he who decides.It is he who sets up the game system and decides who plays.The coach is also part of the club and when I say that the club wants my continuity here, of course it has a very important part in my decision to continue the adventure.

On the other hand and even if it is a big club, a historic club, Valence does not earn titles.Isn't that frustrating for an ambitious player like you?

Absolutely and this is my greatest frustration.I've been maturing for some time and I have the ambition to win trophies.I made European Cup semi-finals, on the verge of arriving in the final.I do not lose confidence in the Valencien project with the new investors who have arrived.I think that in the medium term, there are things to do, if possible fight with the best.We must first be the players, to be present on the field, after in the future to improve the performances of the team each season.

Let's talk a bit about the national team.You come back at the right time knowing that in two months there is a deadline with Algeria and also knowing that for your last match you came out under the whistles.

Of course I am in a hurry to come back with the selection in March.Until then, I think I will be in good shape because I will still play matches if all is fine.I had the coach on the phone several times to get up with me, all that is really positive.Afterwards, the last two games personally it did not go well for me for various reasons, but I will rectify the shooting in the next match and participate in the next adventure in order to qualify the team at the next African Cup andThen at the World Cup.

Do you understand the reaction of the supporters because we remember that when the public whistled you, you applauded them?

Sure !The public has the right to be demanding with the players.He is in his law.If he believes that you are good, you are good and if he considers that you are not good, you must assume.That's it, the Algerian public has a very large fervor, so you have to assume and play at a very good level each time, it is the law of football.

During your absence, the national team behaved very well with a very good Riyad Mahrez on the right flank.Do you feel a little threatened?

Threatens ?Nooon!Already, I am very happy for him, for what he does because he is really a good person.She is a person from which I am close in addition.What he does does not surprise me because she is passionate.Now here, there is competition in the Algerian team, there are more and more young players who come and who are steeped in talent.The interest of the national team goes above all, there is not a player who has a place of assured holder, the most important is that the national team triumphs.If one day Mahrez must play right, he will play right, there is no problem on my side.Me, I am here, I will always be available for the Algerian team, but it will be difficult to take off my place because I am a competitor, the competition I have always known.In Valence, I have always had very good players, I am not afraid of competition or anything.I have been here to help selection since it came.We did historical things, I am still young and I don't want the adventure to end, I want to win titles with Algeria.We have good players, very good players even, it is only bonus to advance the national team.

Well, there was not only negative in your last game since you were promoted to captain.Is it a big responsibility that is difficult to assume?An additional motivation?Pride ?Or the three things at a time?

As you said, it's pride and responsibility, but for my part I have always been a leader.Having the armband has not changed to my temperament.I have always been someone who goes to others, who tries to motivate everyone.For the good of the national team, not for my person.I make sure that the national team goes better as I have already said.Now I have new responsibilities, it's new to me, but I fully assume them.I am here to help the whole workforce, I am at the disposal of all the players, but as I told you it does not change anything that I was doing before.Now it's true that there is a younger team, there are fewer elders.It is therefore up to us the youngest to take the torch as we say.It's up to us to shoot the team upwards.We have several young players, we have a team that has temperament, who wants to triumph.It’s reassuring for the future.

We talked about Mahrez, but in recent weeks, many Algerian players are shining in a thousand lights in the European championships.We think in particular of Ghoulam, holder at the leader of Calcio, Slimani who is 16 goals, Mahrez just without speaking of Brahimi, Bentaleb ...?Is it reassuring for the national team?Are you already their performances?

When we look good, we never had players like that.We never had players in such clubs.That's wonderful !We have a huge chance if the mayonnaise takes as we say.It can be something great for the future of Algerian football.As you said, Ghoulam has been chaining matches for some time, he has experienced experience.Islam Slimani it's the same, it's a warrior, I think where he will go he will succeed because he has the necessary mind.It's a talented team and we still have many other players like Bentaleb who needs a little more playing time this year.We really have quality, we never had that before.It’s a bonus for selection.We have a lot of players who will arrive and we don't know.It will compete and it will pull the group upwards.I am very proud of what my partners do, it makes me happy and I encourage them to continue and to represent the national team well.Now the Algeria team is known thanks to all these players, thanks to the support of supporters.I hope that all these beautiful things will affect the level of the national team in major competitions such as the African Cup and the World Cup.

Medjani in Levante…

Already, I'm happy for him because he got into a quagmire with his former Trabzon club.I called him yesterday, I'm really very happy for him.Here he will like it I think because it is a beautiful city.In addition, it is a real pro who knows how to talk.This is one of the greatest professionals I played with.So, I draw my hat and I know that he will adapt fairly quickly.He deserves it, he's a good person.

You will somehow be his guide here in Valence?

Yes, I am at his disposal so that he adapts as quickly as possible.He will not have trouble here, it's a big city, but it's simple, everything is ten minutes.I will not be in the locker room with him, but I will not be far away.

The future of the national team seems assured because you have not played for Gijón and a little Algerian opposite (editor's note (editor's note.Rachid Aït Atman).It is true that it is difficult to see your talent as an adversary but what can you tell us about him?

Holder at 22 in a major championship, it is not given to everyone.We don't realize, but it deserves our hat to her.Besides, he's a good player.Faced with us he really did a great game, it may be the best of the team with a lot of personality.He's a player to follow for the national team.I do not know if he was contacted for the qualifications of the Olympic Games.

He was contacted, but he was not released by his club ...

Yes, that's the problem, but it's really a good young.

I'm going to ask you a question, after I will tell you why.Do you remember your first contact with the Federation before the 2010 World Cup?

Yes, it goes back for a long time, it was not a direct contact with me.It was done through my entourage thanks to M.Saâdane.I was injured at that time in addition I had not been part of the qualifying adventure ’, Egypt ... etc ... It was really not for me.Already compared to the qualifiers, I had not participated in that, so I did not see myself in the group.Afterwards, I was not in conditions because of my knee injury in Grenoble.So I said: "I prefer to come when I can bring a plus", and as I had not participated in this adventure, there was not the same flavor.

The day you said yes, it was in 2011.Do you…

(he cuts us) I had just resumed in Valence and I said: ‘As soon as I impose myself I come direct in selection’.

Did you take conditions?

Why I had to pose conditions.

Have you linked your coming to selection by signing contracts with the sponsors of the federation?

For my part, I have never discussed contracts with the president of the federation.I know this is something that is commonly done as in the German or French Federation.This is something that should not shock people because advertising contracts there are full.But, for my part, I did not sign a advertising contract when I arrived in selection.

And you did not condition your coming in selection by that ...

Never !I only discussed football.

When you hear and read that you came in selection for money, what does it do to you?You are disappointed ?Frustrated ?Indifferent?

No, not indifferent.Honestly, I find it dishonest.I find that ... I don't know, it's moved because those who know me know very well how I am.I have never discussed a contract.Besides, I have no contract so far and that does not bother me (Editor's note: Feghouli is the only player of it to have refused to sign a contract with Ooredoo then now mobilized with whom he does notforever wanted to sign a contract).I earn my life very well in my club.In selection, I take premiums, bonuses that I deserve and I am very happy.If there are also advertising contracts, that's good, I have to ensure my future and the future of my family, but it is not something that pushed me to opt for Algeria.We come to Algeria for colors, in any case that's how I see things.

There are still players who hesitate to join the Algerian team.As a player, does that shock you?Do you understand them?I'm mainly talking about Ounas and Benzia.

Phew!I don't know the reasons, it's hard to talk.If I have a council, it is because Algeria must have an important place.We must not forget the history between France and Algeria.Me over time, I learned my story.There are very serious things that have happened, in addition we the Franco-Algerians are not accepted in society, it's difficult.In short ! lots of things.The new young people who will arrive I tell them: ‘Do not hesitate, go to your parents' country because your grandparents they have suffered to be accepted.Very serious things have happened in history, but they are not aware, they are still young.Just for things like that, if I can give them advice, it is: "don't hesitate, play for the country of your grandparents".In this French society, we are not accepted, we must not lie, it is difficult for us.Our parents are Algerians, so come to Algeria.In addition to the Federation, there is good work that is done, we have very good conditions, there are professionals who come to train, we have a training camp.It’s not Algeria for a long time ago.There is everything for.The one who tells me what is the problem?There is no reason that could make them not opt for Algeria.As I said, for the heart, for history and for working conditions, for all this, you have to opt for Algeria, you should not hesitate.Afterwards, on which I am bothering me is that I think that at 20 to 21 years old, they have to play in their clubs, they have to win.Opt immediately is perhaps putting a brake on their progress.Good after, it's my personal point of view.I think you have to come when you hold your club.Come in selection, do the internships and be absent when you do not play in club, it is an in addition to their progress and their careers.This is my personal vision.

In any case, if they come, they will be well received?

They will be welcomed with open arms and there is no one above the other.They are Algerians like us, they are brothers and we will be very proud of them.If they come, it is to bring a plus and it is to pull the national team up because the national team does not belong to anyone.The best are welcome.

Now I'm going to show you some pictures and you will try to comment them.

Go ahead…

Photo with the captain's armband

The captain's armband.It's weird, right?Really, it's nice, for me, for my family, for my loved ones.It's up to me to be up.It could have been someone else because there are players in this team with whom you can do great things and who have a sacred mentality.

Photo Gaza.

It's beautiful, it's in Palestine.Me in Palestine?I would never have believed that in my life.These are moments of more dignity for this Meskine people and for this little boy with a balloon.I must thank the Palestinian brothers, we are wholeheartedly with them thanks to the Doua ’.

It touched you so much that you have the photo on your cell phone.

Yes, this is a photo that I have on my phone.

Photo tears during the national anthem.

It goes back to my beginnings.These were exceptional emotions that were difficult to contain especially when I started.Now I have more experience, experience, it's different.I manage to manage better, but at the beginning it was moving, it was beautiful.

Photo after Germany's defeat.

Apparently, you still can't control yourself.

Yes, it was after Germany.When I think about where I come from, playing a World Cup with Algeria, it's a sick thing given my journey.In addition, it was against Germany.In the end, I told myself it may have been my last World Cup.I was sad, very sad.

Photo with the Algerian flag.

Ah that was after qualification against Russia.It was only happiness.We did what no one had done: qualify for the knockout stages.We were keen to please our families and all Algerians and to silence all the criticisms of certain people.We were really relieved.We did what no one had done.Now we are in history and no one can take it away from us.

With the hope of doing better in Russia?

When we see all the Algerians who shine in Italy, Portugal, Spain ... We hope that the other players will join the major championships to shine.Little by little we have better players, there are more and more players who emerge.It’s beautiful for the future.We have the qualities to do exceptional things.And why not do better in Russia?

Now we're going to ask you to hello to the Fennec Gazette…

The Fennec gazette, you are still welcome here in Valence.In addition the weather is nice, it's nice.Always a pleasure to chat with you since the beginnings.A big hello to all fans of the gazette.

Interview carried out in Valence by Mohamed Saâd,

For the Fennec Gazette

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