Nathan Aké impressed by Algeria's level

Algeria’s victory over the Netherlands continues to spark reactions. This time, it’s a key figure from the Dutch squad who has publicly acknowledged the level displayed by Vladimir Petkovic’s men.

The Greens’ win against the Netherlands (1-0) is still making waves. Now, it’s Nathan Aké himself who has recognized Algeria’s rise to prominence. Approached by an Algerian fan while signing a Fennecs jersey, the Manchester City defender didn’t hesitate for a second.

“Algeria is a very good team, with a very high level,” he stated in a brief but heartfelt comment that quickly went viral.

The player’s closeness with several of the Algerian squad members is no coincidence. Aké shares the City dressing room with Rayan Aït-Nouri and previously played alongside Riyad Mahrez, the Fennecs’ captain, during their time together at City.

These words of praise come with a special context: they are from an opponent defeated on his own turf. As such, they sound less like mere courtesy and more like a genuine admission of respect for a national team the world has started to take very seriously.

See also: World Cup 2026 / Argentina - Algeria: “We’re going to beat Messi”, Ibrahim Maza sparks hostilities!

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

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Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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