THE 02/11/2024 has 10:37 a.m.
Akram Afif, magician from Qatar.
Triple scorer in the final against Jordan (3-1) on Saturday, Akram Afif left his mark a little more on the Asian Cup. At only 27 years old, the Qatar striker can already be considered one of the greatest players in the history of his continent.
Winning a title with your country is a privilege that few players have experienced. Winning two titles with your country, very few have had this chance. Akram Afif is now part of this caste.
The most decisive player in the history of the Asian Cup
Indeed, the Al Sadd striker won a second Asian Cup with Qatar after that won in the United Arab Emirates in 2019. The one who lifted the Qatari championship three times between 2019 and 2021 was each time determining in the glorious journeys of his nation. Five years ago, he marked the competition with his immense talent by finishing with a record of one goal and… ten assists, including two in the final against Japan (3-1) with a penalty scored. So many offerings have never happened in the history of the Asian Cup.
At home, the Doha native did even better. He once again finished as the best passer with three assists, as many as the Iranian Sardar Azmoun, but this time with eight goals on the clock, including three penalties scored in the final against Jordan (3-1) on Saturday. Exceptional performances from start to finish which allowed him to obtain the title of best player in the competition. Fourth top scorer and best passer in the history of the tournament, he was decisive 22 times in 14 matches. Never seen.
Afif ready to fly?
At only 27 years old, Afif is already one of the greatest Asian footballers. Does he necessarily have to leave his cocoon to confirm his prowess in a more competitive context? His experiences in Europe were not successful. Despite an interesting start at KAS Eupen (8 goals in 26 games in 2015-2016) before he turned 20, he failed to win at Villarreal then at Gijón before returning to have fun in his native country. Now much more mature, he could be tempted by a new start.
“A club needs to contact me and my wife will make this decision with me» , smiled the main person concerned at the microphone of Al Jazeera. A person who obviously matters much more to him, as evidenced by his celebration as an already legendary magician to pay tribute to him after his first goal in the final. “All I know for now is that we are champions for the second time in a row“, Afif continued. A fairly exceptional performance for a country that did not exist on the Asian football map before 2019. And that is largely thanks to him.
VIDEO: Akram Afif’s celebration after his first goal against Jordan
What do you think of Akram Afif’s performance? Should he sign for a European club? Do not hesitate to react and debate in the “add a comment»…
By Youcef TouaitiaTHE 02/11/2024 has 10:37 a.m.