Aspetar Magazine 2026

132 ASPETAR MAGAZINE LEGENDS AT ASPETAR You know Qatar well. What are your thoughts on the country and its relationship with sport? Today, I would even say that Qatar is sport. It is truly a sporting nation. When you see all the competitions hosted here, not only football, but many other sports; it shows how open this country is to athletes. It’s a welcoming place. People who come here feel comfortable and included. Every time I come to Qatar, I feel at home. It’s a country that is deeply open to sport. They say football unites cultures and people. Do you agree? Yes, absolutely. Football is one of the most powerful ways to unite countries, people, cultures, and even religions. Everyone loves this sport. As players and as people working in football, our role is to bring people together. The world needs this: peace, unity, and people living together. What is the ultimate dream of a football player? The dream is to represent your country in a World Cup. It is the most important competition in football. I was lucky to play in two World Cups, Korea–Japan and Germany. It was my childhood dream. And as a striker, scoring in that competition is something special. I was fortunate to score in both World Cups I played. It was truly a dream come true. If you could give one piece of advice to young players today, what would it be?