Monsef Bakrar: Al Ahli striker reveals he nearly joined three years ago

Monsef Bakrar says he was close to joining Al Ahli three years ago before completing his move to the club this summer, and has set his sights on winning every possible trophy with his new team.

The Algeria striker, who joined from Dinamo Zagreb, also revealed that Al Ahli head coach Hussein Ammouta gave him around 10 days off before reporting for pre-season training because he had already completed preparations with the Croatian club.

“When you come to a club like Al Ahli, the first thing you think about is trophies,” Bakrar told the club’s official website. “I have never won an African title, and I hope I can win every possible trophy with Al Ahli.”

Bakrar said the latest move was not the first time Al Ahli had shown an interest in signing him.

“At the beginning of the negotiations, my agent in Egypt contacted me and told me that Al Ahli were interested,” he said. “We had spoken about Al Ahli before, perhaps around three years ago, but the deal did not happen at that time.

“This time, when my agent raised the idea again, I welcomed it immediately and told him that I hoped everything would go well. After that, contact and negotiations began between the different parties.”

The forward said he had received a warm welcome after arriving at Al Ahli’s training camp in Spain.

“I arrived at the camp late at night and felt a little nervous at first,” he said. “However, the coaching staff and the players welcomed me wonderfully. I felt as if I had been one of them from the first moment, which helped me integrate quickly into the group.

“I was very happy with the welcome and felt comfortable from the beginning. Since I arrived, I have felt like part of the team. Many people told me that Al Ahli had a great atmosphere and that I would receive a special welcome, and that is exactly what happened.”

Bakrar explained that his previous preparations with Dinamo Zagreb influenced the timing of his arrival in Spain.

“I started pre-season with Dinamo Zagreb very early because the season required strong preparations,” he said. “I completed the whole preparation period and also took part in the build-up to our first Champions League match.

“After the negotiations for my move to Al Ahli were successfully completed, I spoke with the coaching staff led by Hussein Ammouta. Since I had already completed pre-season with Dinamo Zagreb, I did not need to go through another preparation period. He therefore gave me around 10 days off from training before I joined Al Ahli’s camp here in Spain.”

Bakrar named Cristiano Ronaldo as his footballing role model, praising the Portugal forward’s playing style and career achievements.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is my role model,” he said. “I like his style of football and the way he plays. He is a complete player, and what he has achieved throughout his career makes him an example for any player who wants to develop.”

He also sent his support to team-mate Youssef Belammari, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury during a friendly against Europa at the club’s Spanish camp.

“We all spoke to him after the injury and I hope he makes a quick recovery,” Bakrar said. “An injury is a difficult period for any player. It is part of football, and we hope he returns quickly and stronger than before, and helps us achieve the objectives we are pursuing this season.”

Bakrar began his career in Saleh Bey, where he was born and raised. He played for the GSMB academy before returning to Saleh Bey and then moving to MC El Eulma. He later joined ES Setif before making the move to Europe.

“The journey out of Algeria and into professional football in Europe was not easy, but thankfully I was successful,” he said. “I was part of Algeria’s under-17 and under-18 national teams, and continued my journey until I reached the senior national team.”

He played for Istra in Croatia before joining New York City, where he spent two years.

“It was a very important experience for me,” Bakrar said. “It helped me greatly on both a personal and professional level, and I consider it an important stage in my football career. I then returned to Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb and had a very special experience there. I was satisfied with the level I produced, and thankfully that led to my move to Al Ahli. I am very happy with this step.”

Bakrar ended by addressing the club’s supporters, saying their backing had increased his desire to contribute.

“The fans give me great motivation,” he said. “I feel a responsibility towards them and want to show them what I can offer and add to the team. No single player can achieve success alone. We must all work as one team, every player must make the required contribution, and our aim must always be to win.”