Soufiane Rahimi’s father dies after illness as Al Ain and Raja pay tribute

Soufiane Rahimi’s father, Mohamed Rahimi, has died after a period of illness, the Morocco international’s club Al Ain confirmed on Thursday.

Al Ain expressed its condolences to Soufiane and his brother Hussein Rahimi, who are both associated with the UAE club.

In a message posted on X, Al Ain said: “Al Ain Club extends its deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to Soufiane Rahimi and his brother Hussein Rahimi on the death of their father. We ask Almighty God to cover the deceased with His vast mercy and forgiveness, grant him a place in His spacious gardens, and inspire his family and relatives with patience and strength. To God we belong and to Him we shall return.”

Raja Club Athletic, where Soufiane Rahimi previously played, also issued a message mourning the death of his father.

The Moroccan club said: “With great sadness and sorrow, Raja Sports Club received the news of the death of Haj Mohamed Rahimi, one of the club’s loyal figures, whose name remained linked to Raja for many years, embodying the highest meanings of loyalty and belonging to the Green Fortress.”

It added: “On this painful occasion, Raja Sports Club, on behalf of all its members and components, extends its warmest condolences and sincere expressions of sympathy to the family and relatives of the deceased, and to all members of the Raja family. We ask Almighty God to cover him with His vast mercy and forgiveness and grant him a place in His spacious gardens.”

Soufiane Rahimi had previously revealed that his father was suffering from illness and asked supporters to pray for his recovery.

At the time, the player wrote: “Nothing has broken me except my father’s illness. My heart hurts when he is in pain, and I have had enough of this suffering, O God. I do not have the strength to see him in pain. My Lord, You know and see how much his illness breaks me, so have mercy on his weakness and be gentle with him. My Lord, heal my father.”

Rahimi has been an important figure for both Al Ain and Morocco. He and his brother Hussein are part of the Al Ain set-up, while Soufiane remains closely associated with Raja Club Athletic after his time at the Moroccan club.

The 2024-25 campaign ended with Rahimi celebrating domestic success with Al Ain. The club won the domestic double, lifting the ADNOC Pro League title and the President’s Cup.

The condolences from Al Ain and Raja highlighted Mohamed Rahimi’s connections with both clubs, with Raja describing him as a loyal figure whose name had been linked with the organisation for many years.

The news comes after Soufiane had publicly shared his concern over his father’s health and appealed to fans and admirers for prayers.

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