At 23, Anis Hadj Moussa, one of the most promising Algerian and Dutch league talents, is at a career crossroads. While Benfica is pushing to secure his transfer, observers are questioning: is leaving Feyenoord for the Lisbon-based Eagles a mistake, or is it a shrewd move to fast-track his rise to the very top?
The Algerian winger had all the ingredients to attract Europe’s elite. After a standout season with Feyenoord (8 goals, 3 assists in 30 league matches, directly involved in one goal every two games), a move to one of Europe’s top five leagues seemed the next logical step. France, England, Germany, Spain, Italy: destinations offering global exposure, fierce competition, and, often, guaranteed Champions League football. Instead, Hadj Moussa has opted for Portugal—a “stepping-stone league” in the eyes of many, one rung below the absolute elite.
This choice has sparked debate. For starters, Benfica, like Feyenoord, must navigate Champions League qualifiers. If unsuccessful, Hadj Moussa would be limited to the Europa League—a less prestigious competition with lower visibility. For a player of his ambition, missing out on Europe’s top stage at a crucial career moment could be costly. There’s also the issue of stability: Hadj Moussa has moved frequently—Belgium, the Netherlands, and now Portugal. Shifting clubs too often risks making him a “perpetual prospect,” never quite establishing himself at a top club for the long haul.
Yet, it would be reductive to focus only on the negatives. Benfica is no ordinary club. The Eagles are internationally recognized for their unique ability to spot, develop, and explode talent on the European stage before selling them for massive fees. João Félix, Enzo Fernández, Darwin Núñez, Gonçalo Ramos—all passed through Lisbon before achieving stardom. For Hadj Moussa, this is a chance to thrive in a stable, tactically demanding environment that can help him refine the qualities he still needs to polish. Here, coaching is top-tier, facilities are excellent, and the club has a proven track record of maximizing player value.
Finally, this move may also reflect personal considerations. Lisbon is a pleasant city, the league is attack-minded, and the club may offer assurances of playing time or financial incentives. For a player used to adapting to new environments, the cultural and linguistic transition could be smoother than elsewhere. For Hadj Moussa, Benfica could represent a short but intense project designed to propel him to the very top—provided he shines immediately.
In the end, the question is not so much “mistake or not,” but rather “calculated risk or necessary stepping stone.” Hadj Moussa is playing for his future at the highest level, and Benfica—if he succeeds—could be the perfect launchpad to the very pinnacle of European football. The only uncertainty: will he get the time and confidence to truly establish himself, or will the relentless pressure of the transfer market, as some Algerian media suggest, complicate his ambitions?
