Riad Boudebouz said he officially joined the U 19 French national football squad which will participate in the next European Cup competition to be hosted by Ukraine next September.

• He told Echorouk he will benefit from participating in the European Cup more than benefiting from participation with the Algerian squad in the qualifications for both the African and World Cup, thing that was not expected particularly with his earlier statement in which he expressed his desire to play for the Fennecs.
• *Latest news shows your acceptance to join the U 19 French squad  which will participate in the forthcoming European Cup competition, is it true?
• –    Yes, I already accepted to join the U 19 French squad  to participate in the European Cup due to be held in Ukraine next September.
• *But you said previously that you wish to play with the Algerian squad, why did you change your mind?
• -It’s true, I said I wish to play with the Algerian squad, but I changed my mind at the last moment and I think participating with the French squad in this age would be good for my career because many agents of the players in the largest European clubs will attend the European Cup and this would offer me the opportunity to sign a contract with a large European club next season.
• *Does this mean your personal future is more important than playing with the Algerian squad?
• -No, not exactly, but I think the European Cup would change my professional career with 180 degrees.
• *You said you’ll play with another team when you reach 21?
• -Until now I can’t tell this but I’ll play with the Algerian squad one day, may be before reaching the age of 21.
• *What is you family’s opinion in this regard?
• -My family wants me to play with the Algerian squad but I’m obliged to improve my level through participating in the European Championships.
• *Is this a response to the Algerian squad’s coach Rabah Saadan?
• -No, these statements have nothing to do with Rabah Saadan’s, I’m trying to send him a clear message, it’s unfair because he criticized me and said Algeria can replace me by better players during my absence. I don’t know why he said this, I really hurted me.
• *But Saadane said he did not mean to offend you?
• -I can’t know why he said that, but he wasn’t obliged to speak in my absence?
• *It seems that Sadaane’s statements encouraged you to join the U19 French national squad?
• -No, joining the French squad is related to my future football career. I can’t play for Algeria before 21.
• *Do you watch the Algerian football news and particularly the Algerian national squad?
• -I don’t watch it regularly, but some matches of the Algerian squad and I know it is playing for the African and World qualifications.
• *Do you think Algeria is able to qualify for the World Cup?
• -The mission will be difficult indeed, but not impossible; I wish the Algerian squad could qualify.
• *Are you satisfied with your Sochaux club which is struggling to stay in the French first league?
• -Yes, I signed a 4 year- professional contract and I realized my first dream waiting to ensure staying in Sochaux and why not moving to a larger club next season.
• *Do you have offers from other clubs?
• -In fact I’m not interested in this aspect, because I have my manager and honestly I dhave not received any offer until now.
• *What about your future in Sochaux?
• -I have to respect the three -year contract I signed with the Sochaux club.