An Algeria outcast shines again

A former Algeria international finds new life

Europe 26 October 2025 at 05:21

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An Algeria outcast shines again

After returning to FC Twente this summer following a mixed spell at Feyenoord, Ramiz Zerrouki is enjoying a much calmer period. The Algerian international midfielder, who faced plenty of criticism during his early weeks in Enschede, has managed to turn pressure into motivation and regain his influence at the heart of the game.

Pleasure as a driving force for success

In an interview with Dutch outlet RTV Oost, Zerrouki appeared unfazed by the criticism. He revealed that he prefers to focus on the pitch rather than outside debates. In his view, the key to success lies in the joy of playing.

"When you enjoy yourself, everything else comes naturally," he philosophically explained.

The former Ajax academy player believes this collective mindset allowed Twente to bounce back much faster than expected.

"We chose not to pay attention to criticism and the results quickly improved," he added.

Zerrouki is once again establishing himself as a reliable force in the Dutch league, combining technical precision and positional awareness. His renewed confidence is now bringing joy not only to Twente but also to Algerian fans, who hope to soon see him back to his best and wearing the Algeria national team shirt—a team from which he was left out during the last squad selection.