Algeria: What Aïssa Mandi's signing with Levante reveals about his future in the national team

Aïssa Mandi, the 34-year-old Algerian international defender, has signed a two-year contract with Levante, a newly promoted La Liga side, as a free agent. This unexpected move signals his desire to continue with the national team, particularly for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. After Algeria's World Cup 2026 elimination, Mandi remained vague about his future, but his decision to stay in Europe instead of going to the Gulf suggests he intends to extend his time with the Fennecs.