Genes led me to football…and my father is my first supporter

The young football player may face public and technical pressures related to results or performance on the field, but the experience seems more complicated for Al Dhafra team defender, Youssef Ahmed, who lives under double follow-up due to the presence of his father, Ahmed Saeed, as a technical analyst on Abu Dhabi Sports Channels, and with long experience on the field with Al Jazira and Al Dhafra, which may make his every appearance a subject of evaluation and discussion at home.

Youssef confirmed to “Emirates Today” that his father’s presence in the sports media community gives him great support, but at the same time it makes him more careful about all the details related to his career on and off the field, and he said: “My father always advises me on and off the field.”

The Al Dhafra player added: “My father is my first supporter, and he never neglects me. He always talks to me about the mistakes I make, whether on or off the field, and is constantly keen to guide and advise me.”

Although his father is considered one of the well-known names in Emirati football with Al Jazira and Al Dhafra, Youssef revealed a remarkable paradox, which is that he had never seen his father as a player before. He said: “I have never seen him play football, not even through video clips, and all I know about him is that he was a fast and strong player, and I am very proud to carry his name.”

Youssef Ahmed was born in March 2005, the same year in which his father, Ahmed Saeed, announced his retirement from football, after a long career that began with the youth teams on the island, before he graduated to the first team in 1993 and continued his career until 1996, then he headed to the United States of America to complete his studies.

After his return, Ahmed Saeed moved to Al Dhafra on loan in the 2002 season, before returning to Al Jazira in 2003 and continuing with him until his retirement in 2005, after which he rose through administrative positions at the club, arriving at supervising the first team during a golden period that witnessed the achievement of league titles and the President’s Cup.

Al Dhafra player Youssef Ahmed revealed that football was not his choice in his childhood, explaining: “When I was young, I did not like football, but being in a football family made me continue on this path, and it can be said that genes were the reason for that.”

Regarding his experience with Al Dhafra, he said: “My father played for Al Dhafra previously, and I am currently following in his footsteps. For me, my ambition has no limits, and I want to advance step by step.”

The young player expressed his ambition to represent the national team in the future, and said: “There are no easy teams in the Asian Cup, and I wish success for the national team. I also hope to be on the list participating in the finals, and that will be a great honor for me.”