Qatar offers its Ronaldinho
Akram Afif could leave Qatar this summer after outstanding seasons with Al Sadd and the Qatari team of which he is a great star and which he led to two consecutive Asian Cups and the first World Cup in its history. . Considered the best player in the country, the connection of all national footballers with QSL and the country, as well as a mega-million dollar contract with Al-Sadd.made his departure from the local championship unthinkable.
However, having won absolutely everything, the Qatari government is ready to give the green light to a possible exit, since in fact this means global recognition of the Qatari footballer and the overall growth of the country in the football arena. Afif, compared to Ronaldinho due to his distinctive afro hair, is a high quality playmaker and is coming off a superb season at Al Sadd with 26 goals in 22 games.
His contribution to the Qatar national team, for whom he played 112 games and scored 37 goals, has placed him on the list of European club greats on more than one occasion. However, difficulties in getting Qatar national team players out of their country prevented him from leaving more than once.
At 27 years old, he is ready to play in one of the top leagues in Europe. He had already visited the Old Continent during his formative stages. He joined the academies of Sevilla and Villarreal and also played for Sporting Gijon, with whom he made his First Division debut. He was later at Belgian club Eupen, owned by Qatar’s Aspire Academy, where he became an elite footballer like other members of the successful national team. In Qatar, he was under the leadership of Xavi Hernandez, with whom he performed at a high level.
Several Premier League clubs and some in Spain such as Sevilla would welcome his inclusion, although his non-EU status and very high salary could put a damper on those moves. In any case, what is certain is that in order to reach Europe, he will have to take a significant cut in the salary that has kept him in Qatar until now. but now it seems that it can be shortened. It is quite possible to see the Qatari Ronaldinho in the top European league.
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