Soufiane Rahimi breaks silence with heartfelt farewell to his father

Soufiane Rahimi, the Moroccan star of Al Ain, has spoken publicly for the first time since the death of his father last Thursday, sharing an emotional message in which he described the loss as the most difficult news of his life.

Rahimi posted the tribute on Instagram, writing: “I write these words with tears in my eyes, and I am still trying to comprehend the hardest news I have ever received in my life.”

He said he had been forced to say goodbye to the person who had played the greatest role in supporting him, both personally and throughout his career.

“Today I say goodbye to my father, the man who was the first to believe in me, the first to encourage me and the first person to support me and stand by me in my life and my career, on the pitch and in everything in this life,” Rahimi wrote.

The 29-year-old added that his father’s death had left a void that could not be filled.

“Today you have gone, my father, and a large part of me has gone with you. You have left an emptiness in my heart that nothing can fill, and memories that will remain with me for as long as I live. You have gone from my sight, but you will never leave my heart.”

Rahimi also reflected on the large procession that accompanied his father to his final resting place, saying it had shown how deeply he was loved and the impression he had made on those around him.

“As I watched the large procession that accompanied you to your final resting place, I realised how loved you were and how deeply you touched people’s hearts,” he said.

“Your funeral was not simply a farewell; it was a testament to the love people had for you and the place you held in the hearts of everyone who knew you. May Allah have mercy on everyone who accompanied you, everyone who prayed for you and everyone who stood beside us on this difficult day.”

Rahimi then offered a prayer for his father, asking for forgiveness, mercy and peace.

“May Allah have abundant mercy on you, my father, grant you a place in His spacious paradise, make your grave one of the gardens of paradise, illuminate your grave, ease your solitude and forgive your past and future sins.”

He ended the message by promising that his love and memories of his father would remain with him for the rest of his life.

“I love you, my father, and your love and memory will remain in my heart until the last day of my life. I will never forget you as long as I live, and I will continue to carry your message and your words with me in every step until Allah brings us together again.”