Hatem Ben Arfa, the French international from Newcastle, recently shared insights into his career, reflecting on his past mistakes and contemplating the future in an interview with France Football.
At 26 years old, Ben Arfa acknowledges the need to take stock of his career and errors while expressing optimism about the future. He states, “I still have plenty of time ahead of me. I haven’t reached the time for end-of-career reviews. I know that some people will still think I’m crazy, but I still dream of the Ballon d’Or, for example. I am convinced that it is still possible.”
Recognizing his past shortcomings, Ben Arfa acknowledges that he may have disappointed and even annoyed people due to his lack of professionalism. However, he believes he has undergone a gradual transformation and growth. He explains, “I think I have changed little by little because I have evolved. In fact, I hadn’t grown up too much: I believed for a long time that I could take the ball and go to goal on my own like when I was young…”
Ben Arfa’s introspective comments reveal a desire for personal and professional growth as he navigates his football career, aspiring to achieve significant milestones such as the Ballon d’Or.