Former Morocco midfielder Chammami reveals he retired from football without owning a house

Former Morocco international Abdelouahed Chammami has opened up about the financial realities of his playing career, revealing that he retired from professional football in 2001 without owning a home despite spending years playing for AS FAR.

Chammami, who enjoyed a lengthy career with the Moroccan giants, disclosed that football in his generation was a far cry from the lucrative profession it has become today.

According to the former midfielder, players did not receive the huge signing-on fees and salaries that are common in modern football, with most of their earnings coming from monthly wages and match-winning bonuses.

Chammami revealed that when he retired in 2001, his monthly salary was not more than 2,000 Moroccan dirhams, leaving him without the financial security that many modern footballers enjoy.

“I retired in 2001 without owning a home,” Chammami explained while reflecting on the financial challenges players faced during his era.

His revelation highlights the dramatic transformation football has undergone over the past two decades, particularly in terms of player salaries, sponsorship deals and commercial opportunities.

Chammami explained that during his playing days, football was not regarded by many families as a reliable career because it offered little financial security compared to conventional employment.

He himself combined football with a career in the Customs Administration, where he worked from 1988 until his retirement from playing in 2001.

The former AS FAR star said the decision to maintain another profession was necessary because football alone could not guarantee long-term financial stability.

He contrasted that period with the modern game, where professional footballers can earn substantial incomes through salaries, bonuses, sponsorships and other commercial opportunities.

Chammami believes the professionalisation of football has significantly changed the perception of the sport, making it a more attractive career option for young players and their families.

However, he also stressed that the increased financial rewards come with greater demands, insisting that modern players must work hard and operate within increasingly sophisticated and professionally structured clubs.

His reflections offer a glimpse into the difficult financial conditions experienced by many footballers of his generation and underline just how dramatically the economics of the sport have changed.