Ramadan or loss of focus... What's happening with Bensebaïni in a World Cup season? | OneFootball

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What's happening with Bensebaïni in a World Cup season?

Bensebaïni/@UEFA

Algerian star Ramy Bensebaïni, a key player for Borussia Dortmund, is going through a tough psychological period after coming under fire following the match against Atalanta in the Champions League.

The Constantine native was involved in conceding a goal, giving away a penalty, and was also sent off during the return leg against the Lombard side. Some did not hesitate to pin the blame for Dortmund's European exit on him after the 4-3 aggregate defeat.

The "Desert Warrior" is likely playing his final season with the German giants, despite a contract running through 2027.

"Ramadan has nothing to do with it"

Ramy Bensebaïni refused to link his mistakes during the return leg against Atalanta to his fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Speaking to the Bundesliga website, he said: "Honestly, it was a tough week for me. It's not the first time, and it won't be the last. I'm just trying to stay away from social media."

He added: "I wouldn't say fasting during Ramadan is difficult for a player performing at the highest level. You just need to find a balance between training, rest, and above all, recovery."

He continued: "Personally, I don't find it complicated. It depends on each person and their body. At the start of Ramadan, I do feel a bit tired because my body isn't used to it yet, and it takes me a few days to adapt."

And he concluded: "Overall, it's not as hard as some say, especially since all the matches I've played so far have been after breaking the fast, so it hasn't really been a problem for me."

What has Bensebaïni achieved in the 2025-2026 season?

The Algerian star has featured in 26 matches this season across all competitions, contributing to 5 goals through assists and personal strikes.

Notably, he scored against Freiburg and Mainz in the Bundesliga, as well as against Juventus and Copenhagen in the Champions League.

He also played 7 matches with the Algerian national team in various competitions, without scoring or providing any assists.

It's worth noting that his market value has dropped to 7 million euros, after peaking at 22 million in 2021.

The World Cup: a chance to restore his reputation

Ramy Bensebaïni is hoping to bounce back by delivering top-level performances at the upcoming 2026 World Cup with the Algerian national team.

The draw placed the Fennecs in Group J alongside Argentina, Austria, and Jordan.

A move to a top-five European club will depend on a strong showing at the global tournament, especially as his stock has fallen sharply following the drop in his market value.

For the record, Turkish media have recently reported that Galatasaray are interested in signing him in the upcoming summer transfer window.