Algeria’s Fennecs captain Riyad Mahrez sent a long message to the Algerian people after the Fennecs were eliminated against Cameroon during the qualifiers..
Algeria fell to the qualifying streak in the Qatar 2022 World Cup. At the crowded Mustapha Tchaker Stadium, the Foxes were eliminated in extra time with a goal from Toko Ekambi. Exclusion deprives Riyad Mahrez and his companions of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Five days after this elimination, Fennecs captain Riyad Mahrez broke his silence to send a message to the fans. This is the second track after defeating the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
To the supporters of Algeria
After a few days away from social media, today I wanted to talk to you.
This letter, I took the time to write, because I needed to take a step back to accommodate our exclusion. We have all already had very difficult moments during the last Africa Cup of Nations and this defeat in the last minute of such an important match for Algeria hurt me a lot.
My heart is torn and I don’t really know how to recover from this failure by choosing the country I love so much.
When I think about what happened, my first feeling was deep sadness. Grief for you. I know how much you give us, every day, of your time to send us messages, to move and encourage us on the field.
I also know how closely you relate to our team. Your tremendous support has gone unrequited and honestly, I am devastated.
Unfortunately, it is like that, and for us it is really necessary to leave at the club, to continue our lives, and little by little to try to make us relativ. It is God who decided, we say thank God and we move forward.
I would have liked to do more and give you what you expected of us. I know what this World Cup qualification would have meant for you and us. As a leader, it is also my duty to take responsibility when things go wrong, which is why I wanted to take responsibility and speak to you today.
I’ve always been very straightforward in my career and in my life. So I have to tell you that too. I was touched by reading the messages of some, who question the extent of my love for this shirt and my desire to defend it.
You compare my team to my country when they don’t, and I know it’s a great honor for me to come and play for my country. I have been wearing this shirt and this flag all over the world for 8 years and if I don’t know what the future will be, I know Algeria will be and will always be in my heart forever.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Jamal and his staff, without whom we would not have done such great things during these four years. We must not forget the state of choice when the coach arrived, he was able to take back the identity of this team and the values we all share as Algerians.
Let’s be grateful. I am so sad for him because he is a real person who loves his country more than anything and who has made us so much.
For now, we still have to take the time to accept what happened. But know that you can count on us to find solutions, and to come back together stronger, as we have always done. Our aim will always be to put Algeria where it should be: there.
Greetings from Algeria
