Aouar interview: 'When you play for Al Ittihad, you have to win something every season'
Houssem Aouar is one of the stars of the Roshn Saudi League, the Algeria international an integral part of an Al Ittihad side looking to challenge for major honours again this season.
Aouar has already tasted success, of course, having played a pivotal part in Al Ittihad’s 2024-25 title win - his debut campaign in the Kingdom.
Aouar has gone on to make 59 RSL appearances, including six this season as Al Ittihad sit second in the table after seven rounds. In fact, Jens Wissing’s side are the only remaining undefeated team.
We caught up with Aouar to chat about a range of things, reflecting on his career at Al Ittihad and life in Jeddah, this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup, and his ambitions for this season.
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On his time at Ittihad so far
“It’s my third season so, of course, I'm really happy to be part of this big club, one of the biggest clubs in Asia with a lot of fans, a lot of attraction.
“And yeah, the key to be consistent in a club like this is to work - to work a lot - to be focused every day, each day, because it's never easy to be part of a club like this because there is a lot of pressure, which is good.
"You have to be strong - strong mentally - to reach the goals and to make the fans and all your family proud.”
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On winning the RSL title
“The first season was an amazing season. I'm really grateful to have won this trophy, the big one, and at the end of the season, the King’s Cup.
“But the league was something very special because it's a work of all the season, so it's very tough. The second season was very difficult for a lot of reasons, but it is what it is.
“Sometimes you have to step back a little bit to reach your goal again. And when you win trophies, especially in this kind of club and kind of city, you want to win again because there is a big atmosphere.
"You can see that the people are very proud, proud of the players, proud of the club."
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On 2026-27 targets
“This season we want to achieve big things. I always say that when you play for a club like Al Ittihad, you have to win something every season.
“And it's in what we have to improve. To win things, you have to be focused, dedicate yourself to the club, to the pitch, and to make a lot of sacrifice.
“This season I'm here for the third season and, like always, I'm going to do all the sacrifices and dedicate myself.”
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On the ultra-competitive RSL
“The league is going up every season. You can see that now there is a lot of competition. You never know who's going to win the league until the end, until the very end of the game.
"That's good for the perception of the league. People now in Europe and all around the world, they follow the league. It's good because I'm always saying that football is not only for Europe.
“Now we can see it with Saudi. So I'm very proud to be a part of this project. I'm always doing my best to help the league, but with a lot of humility. I'm here to win and to be just a small part of the project.”
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On life away from the pitch
“Life in Jeddah is amazing to be honest. I'm really grateful to be here. We really enjoy it, me and my family. It's a very peaceful place; like we always say and everybody says, it's safe.
“So when you come here, you really feel home. And also, the people, they're very kind. Saudi people are very kind. The welcome was amazing. So Jeddah and Saudi, I feel very at home now, and I hope to be here for a long time.”
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On the 2026 FIFA World Cup
“The World Cup was an amazing experience; I'm very happy to have played this World Cup. It's a big opportunity for me and for me to represent my country.
“We did well. We could do better, of course, because of the team that we have, the players that we have. But sometimes football is like this, you have to accept it.
“It was a unique experience. I hope to live this experience again. And, when you play this kind of competition, then you have to feel responsible. I have a lot of responsibility now and I'm here just to help the team, help some players sometimes.
“I'm going to do everything possible to live again an experience like this."
