In a video titled «I spent 72 hours in the life of Nicolas Pépé», posted on influencer Just Riadh’s social media, one clip caught the attention of Algerian and Ivorian football fans alike. In the middle of a candid conversation, Nicolas Pépé delivered an unexpected and emphatic tribute to Youcef Belaïli, who is currently undergoing rehab after suffering an ACL tear while playing for Espérance de Tunis.
His words reflect genuine admiration:
«Youcef Belaïli? My God… a fantastic player! He was incredibly strong and technically gifted. In that match against Algeria, he was almost on his own, yet he dribbled past us and set an exceptional standard.»
Pépé also emphasized Belaïli’s consistent brilliance:
