Pirlo received me with all professionalism…and United will not be satisfied with “staying.”

Bandar Al Ahbabi, the national team player, the former Al Ain club player, and the current United club player, confirmed that his move to the United ranks represents a new challenge in his sporting career, stressing that he found an ambitious project in the club management and technical staff led by Italian coach Andrea Pirlo, and that the team is not thinking with the mentality of just staying in the professional league, but rather seeks to build a team capable of competing and developing during the coming years.

Al-Ahbabi told Emirates Today that the Italian coach Andrea Pirlo received him professionally from the first day, which facilitated his integration process with the team, stressing that the first session between them was positive, and witnessed a conversation about the club’s goals and the role expected of him on the field.

He added: “I felt Pirlo’s confidence and his desire to benefit from my experience, and he certainly knows my career with Al Ain and the national team, but what matters to me now is what I will offer with United. “The past is a source of pride, while my focus is entirely on helping the team and achieving its goals.”

United Project

Al-Ahbabi explained that the club’s sports project was the most prominent factor in making the decision to join United. He said: “After a long career with Al Ain in local competitions and the AFC Champions League, I chose to play with United because I sensed from the club’s management and technical staff a real desire to build a strong and stable team for the future, and this project attracted me very much.”

Farewell Al Ain

Al Ahbabi confirmed that the decision to leave Al Ain after more than 15 years was not easy, explaining: “Al Ain is more than just a club for me. It is the place where I lived the most beautiful years of my career, and achieved many achievements and championships with it. I will always remain grateful to the club, its fans, and everyone who stood with me. But football sometimes requires searching for a new challenge, and when I spoke with United officials, I saw a clear and ambitious project to build a team capable of establishing its position in the professional league, in addition to the trust they gave me, which encouraged me to take this step.

Experience

He pointed out that his experience will be in the service of the team on and off the field, and said: “Experience in such situations is very important, especially when the goal is to compete and have a strong season, and my role is not limited to what I do on the field, but also extends to transferring experience to young players, and helping them deal with the pressures of matches. I will always be a role model in commitment, discipline and daily work, and if we succeed in building a strong team spirit, I am confident that United will be able to achieve its goals.”

He added that the atmosphere inside the club helped him get along quickly, saying: “From the first day, I found a very positive atmosphere, and everyone works in one spirit, whether from the management, the technical staff, or the players. There is a great desire to prove oneself, and a clear commitment in training, and I believe that this spirit will be one of the most important factors for the team’s success.”

A season worthy of United

Regarding his goals with the team, he said: “I thank the United fans for their enthusiasm and support. Their presence will be a great motivation for us throughout the season, and my personal goal is to give my best in every match, and to be a real addition with my experience and performance on the field. Our goal as a team is to deliver a season worthy of United, and achieve the best possible position, while building a team capable of competing and developing year after year, and we will do everything we can to make the fans happy and achieve their aspirations.”

Technical staff ideas

He continued: “Every team has its own philosophy, and my focus from the beginning was on understanding the coach’s ideas and requirements. I am ready to play in any position that serves the team’s interest, whether in the right-back position or any other role, and what is important is to implement instructions, contribute to organizing the back line, and transfer my experience to my colleagues on the field.”

The pressure does not change

He talked about the pressures that accompany the new stage, saying: “Pressure exists in every club, but it varies from one team to another. When you play in a club competing for championships, what is required is to win every match, but with a rising team, the challenge is to prove oneself and achieve the club’s goals. For me, I approach all challenges with the same mentality based on hard work and commitment.”

The fans are a partner in success

He sent a message to the United fans, saying: “I promise the fans that I will give everything I have on the field, and I will put my experience at the service of the team and my teammates, and we need their support in every match, because the fans are an essential element in the success of any team. “God willing, we will fight together to achieve the club’s goals, and we will do everything in our power to live up to their expectations.”

---

I am proud of everything I have achieved with Al Ain…and today I start a new page

Al-Ahbabi concluded his speech by stressing his desire to leave a distinctive mark with United, saying: “I am proud of everything I achieved with Al Ain, and today I start a new page with United, and I aspire to write a new success story, and I hope that after years the club’s fans will remember me as a player who gave everything he had for the sake of the logo, and was an example of commitment and giving on and off the field.”

Bandar Al Ahbabi:

. The past is a source of pride. My focus is entirely on achieving United’s goals.

. I chose United because I sensed a real desire by the management and the coach to build for the future.

. The decision to leave Al Ain after more than 15 years was not easy.. I will remain grateful to “The Leader.”

. Ready to play in any position that serves the team, whether you are a right back or any other role.