Manchester City Player Kicked Off National Team

Manchester City defender Rayan Aït-Nouri has been dismissed from the Algerian national team following a heated altercation with the coaching staff. The 25-year-old reportedly reacted angrily to being left on the bench during their 3-1 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier victory against Zambia.

Footage circulating on social media shows the full-back gesticulating furiously after not being given the opportunity to enter the game.

Algerian outlet "Ennahar" reported that head coach Brahim Hemdani had sent Aït-Nouri to warm up, but after Zambia scored, he was instructed to return to the bench. There are even claims that he expressed his dissatisfaction before the match itself, unhappy about not being in the starting lineup.

According to reports, the player "rejected all attempts to be calmed down" by general manager Moussa Saïb and his teammates.

Subsequently, the Algerian Football Federation announced his release: "The national coach, Mr. Brahim Hemdani, decided this Saturday to release player Rayan Aït-Nouri from the current national team training camp. The Algerian international will return to his club, Manchester City."

Aït-Nouri has 34 caps for Algeria and was among the team's standout players at the World Cup last summer. The Paris-born footballer also holds French citizenship.

It's been a challenging period for the former Wolves star, who has yet to make a single Premier League appearance this season.

Despite this, when given a chance, he has proven incredibly effective. Aït-Nouri provided two assists in the dominant 5-0 victory over Norwich in the third round of the Carabao Cup and also assisted Erling Haaland after coming on as a substitute against Porto in the Champions League.

He joined City last July for £33.7 million, but even in his first season, he primarily played a secondary role.

On transfer deadline day, Manchester United made a surprise attempt to sign him, inquiring about a loan deal. However, the Red Devils did not agree to include a mandatory purchase clause – a condition that would have been acceptable to City.