Doha, Qatar: Algeria’s playmaking talisman Yacine Brahimi has been spreading joy both on and off the pitch at the FIFA Arab Cup, combining experience, intelligence, and flair to help the defending champions march on toward the knockout stages.
At 35, the Paris-born forward is in the twilight of his career, but his vision, movement, and understanding of the game remain undiminished. While his explosive pace may have slowed, Brahimi’s ability to influence matches is as sharp as ever, a fact on full display in Algeria’s recent group stage performances.
Head coach Madjid Bougherra has managed the veteran cautiously. Brahimi was spared from the opening draw with Sudan, but came off the bench to dazzle in a second-half cameo during Algeria’s 5-1 win over Bahrain. He followed that up with a Player of the Match display in a 2-0 triumph over Iraq, a victory that secured Algeria a quarter-final berth.
Speaking to FIFA after the Iraq match, Brahimi reflected on Algeria’s strong start to the tournament.
“I’m very happy because it was our target to win that game and to finish first in the group, which we did. Games like this, when we play well and get positive results, can give us real confidence going forward. It was an intense match, with a lot of duels, but we played a great game. At this competition, the next game comes very quickly, so now we have to focus, recover and prepare for that.”
Algeria will face the United Arab Emirates in the quarter-finals at Al Bayt Stadium tomorrow. UAE, who recovered from an opening defeat to Jordan and drew with Egypt before defeating Kuwait, will provide another stern test. Brahimi stressed the importance of respect and focus.
“We know they are a strong team, and we saw that in their win against Kuwait. I am fully aware of the team, the players, and the quality they have. This will be another tough test for us. Of course, we will respect them and approach things with humility, but we are playing to win and make sure we get to the semi-finals.”
Brahimi has spent more than half a decade playing in Qatar, which has helped him build a strong following among both Algerian fans and neutral supporters in the host nation. His passion for entertaining and his ever-present smile have made him a crowd favourite, combining skill with joy in a way that resonates with audiences.
“I still feel really good and I’m enjoying playing. Naturally, when you wear this shirt and play for your country, you must be happy and give absolutely everything. My motivation is to bring happiness to my family, to our fans, and to our country,” Brahimi said.
As Algeria gear up to face the UAE, Brahimi’s combination of experience and flair stands out, showing that even at this stage of his career, he can still influence games with skill and passion. With the Fennecs aiming for a deep run in the Arab Cup, Brahimi’s leadership and creativity could be key as Algeria look to advance further in the tournament.
