Adlene Guedioura
Talking just after the World Cup, the Crystal Palace midfielder talks about his legendary father, and his hopes for the future with Algeria.
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Adlene, thanks for sitting down. Let’s start by talking about your father, Nacer Guedioura, who was a former Algerian international and one of USM Alger’s best ever players. Growing up, could you tell that your father was famous?
Of course, especially when I go to Algeria. There people tell me, ‘I know your father’ before they recognize me…
Even now?
Yeah, until now (laughs). I think I spent half of my life relaying messages of ‘Salam’ to my father. But it was a good experience as well. I remember when my father used to participate in gala matches and used to play against African greats like George Weah. It was a good experience growing up. Platini as well…
You met all of these people as a kid?
Yeah. Le Club Variete is an association of retired famous footballers. My Dad played some charity tournaments with them. It was beneficial being amongst them.
Nacer Guedioura played for Algeria four times. Was he disappointed to not have won more caps?
Probably. You know, during his time, it was difficult to go to Europe. You couldn’t leave the Algerian league until you were 28 years old. I think if he went to Europe before he could have had a better career. He still had a good career with USMA…
He’s a legend!
Yeah. But if he went to Europe earlier he could have had a chance to maybe be like Madjer and others.
He had an infamously good relationship with Djamel Zidane. Did you see Zidane often growing up?
He came to France when he had a major surgery. My father was there to assist him during that time. Even last year, when I went to Algeria, I visited him and he had some funny stories about my father.
to Europe. You couldn’t leave the Algerian league until you were 28 years old. I think if he went to Europe before he could have had a better career. He still had a good career with USMA…
He’s a legend!
Yeah. But if he went to Europe earlier he could have had a chance to maybe be like Madjer and others.
He had an infamously good relationship with Djamel Zidane. Did you see Zidane often growing up?
He came to France when he had a major surgery. My father was there to assist him during that time. Even last year, when I went to Algeria, I visited him and he had some funny stories about my father.
Djamel Zidane opened an academy in 2006, do you know if it is still operational?
No, I don’t know.
Speaking of Djamel Zidane and Nacer Guedioura, two USM Alger greats: USMA have been making great progress these last couple of years, with heavy investment from the Haddad family. Do you think it’s healthy for the Algerian league?
Algerian domestic league needs to be professional. I think the President Raouraoua (President of the Algerian Football Federation) tried to make that happen. You know, we have to reach the professional level. When you see all the leagues improving and trying to be better. That is the aim of our federation. We have to find good players in Algeria, because I think there are a lot of them. Most can go play in Europe now, and improve the national team.”