Slimani accuses Petkovic of having "said things that never happened"

Islam Slimani has broken his silence on the abrupt end of his international career, directly targeting Vladimir Petkovic, now former Algeria coach. In an interview with L’Équipe, the Fennecs’ all-time leading goalscorer (46 goals in 105 caps) accused the Bosnian tactician of having “said things that never happened” during a phone conversation.

Since Petkovic took charge of the national team in February 2024, Slimani has never been called up again. His last appearance in an Algeria shirt dates back to 23 January 2024, during a 1-0 defeat to Mauritania in the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 38-year-old striker said he does not contest the sporting decision itself. “These are choices, it’s not a problem. Every coach…”, he initially conceded. But when asked about how things unfolded, the Algiers native did not hide his bitterness: “Respectful? I wouldn’t say that. Did he come to talk to you? Not at all. It’s football, I don’t take it personally. It’s an ungrateful world. Obviously, there are ways of doing things.”

He then spoke about this phone exchange with Petkovic: “He said things that never happened. That’s how it is. I played what I had to play for my country. I gave my all when I was on the pitch.”

Despite Petkovic’s departure, Slimani appears to have definitively closed the chapter on the national team. Free since leaving CFR Cluj, the former Monaco and Olympique Lyonnais striker is not, however, considering hanging up his boots.