‘My household fled Saddam Hussein’s Iraq – now my crew is in FA Cup third spherical’

On Jan 6, 2024

Ali Al Hamadi’s household fled Iraq when he was a toddler however the AFC Wimbledon star nonetheless feels just like the nation is residence.

The Dons face Ipswich Town within the FA Cup on Saturday although can be with out their star ahead as he prepares for the upcoming Asian Cup. He can be representing Iraq and looking out so as to add to his three targets in Qatar this month.

Al Hamadi and his mother and father, Ibrahim and Asseel, sought asylum within the UK when he was only one. They settled in Toxteth, Liverpool, earlier than welcoming two extra kids.

Al Hamadi’s father had been imprisoned and tortured for collaborating in a peaceable protest towards Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship. But the ahead nonetheless sees Iraq as residence.

“When I used to be rising up, though I used to be raised on this nation as if I used to be born right here, I nonetheless don’t really feel as if that is my residence,” he beforehand instructed The Athletic. “I solely actually really feel that sense of belonging once I return to Iraq and I’m with the nationwide crew.

Ali Al Hamadi can be representing Iraq on the Asian Cup
(Image: AP)

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“I speak the language, I’m part of the culture and part of a bit of history as one of a few players who represents them but plays over here in Europe.

“When I used to be youthful, I didn’t count on it to go this manner. I grew up pondering as a child, like everybody, that I wished to play for England though I’m from Iraq.”

Iraqi flags are regularly seen at Plough Lane as AFC Wimbledon battle for promotion in League Two. The 21-year-old has scored 13 league goals for the Dons, while also bagging three FA Cup goals. And he loves the support he gets up and down the country.

Ali Al Hamadi’s household fled Iraq throughout Saddam Hussein’s reign as chief of the nation
(Image: Sygma through Getty Images)

“It’s absolutely mental,” he mentioned. “If you requested folks at my earlier golf equipment who had been the social media managers or who had been in command of the membership accounts, folks simply present a lot assist it’s loopy. They’re football-mad in Iraq, it’s all they discuss and it’s such a footballing nation.

“Whatever club I’ve been to, there’s been a bond between fans, it’s special.

“Playing for Iraq is immense strain. The different day towards Vietnam, I began and you are feeling that strain. You’re anticipated to win each sport; it’s a strain I can’t describe as a result of it’s so completely different to enjoying on your membership, but it surely’s a privileged strain.

“There are 40-odd million people wanting you to win a game of football and that’s not something many people get to experience. Playing at home the other day, there were 65,000 or so people.

“I’ve played at Stamford Bridge, but the atmosphere in Basra was 100 times better because of the energy and intensity, it’s hard to describe.

“People told me about it before I went to play there but I almost didn’t believe it. Once you’ve played there for the first time, it’s even madder than you expect it to be. To score there as well, it’s the maddest moment.”