Younes Belhanda may now be 36 and playing in the Qatari league, however, as he tells RMC Sport show Rothen s’enflamme, he believes in his ability to still make a difference at some of Ligue 1’s top sides.

Belhanda, a Montpellier HSC academy product, played for his formative club between 2009 and 2013. In France, he also played for OGC Nice (2016-17). Over the course of his two spells in France’s top flight, he amassed 158 appearances, scoring 29 goals and registering a further 25 assists. The Morocco international has not played in Ligue 1 since leaving Nice in 2017.

He has since played for Dynamo Kyiv, Galatasaray, Adana Demirspor, Al-Shamal SC, and now Al-Sailiya SC. For the latter, he has played seven games this season in all competitions (one goal, three assists). His club currently sits at the bottom of the Qatar Stars League.

However, he still has strong belief in his ability. “In Ligue 1, I’d play, every day. At Marseille, I’d play, at Lyon, I’d play, at Lille, I’d play… I’d play at every club,” said the midfielder in an interview with Jerome Rothen. “I have the level to play in Ligue 1, not in Ligue 2.”

Belhanda also revealed that he didn’t receive any offers from Ligue 1 clubs this summer, despite seeking one out.