His arrival, AS Monaco, his role… Interview with Moatasem Al-Musrati | OneFootball

Arriving at the very end of the winter transfer window to sign on loan until the end of the season, the Libyan midfielder took the time to speak just before his first appearance with the team against PSG.

He has arrived to strengthen the Rouge et Blanc midfield for the second half of the season. An experienced player, notably having spent time at SC Braga, Moatasem Al-Musrati has had a quick integrations after joining on February 3 and making his first appearance against Paris Saint-Germain. Before that, he took the time to say a little more about himself. Interview 🎙️

Hello Moatasem. To begin with, why did you join AS Monaco?

It’s a very big club, so when the management contacted my entourage, I immediately said yes and I was very excited to come here! And today I’m very happy to be able to wear this jersey. It was obvious to me that I had to seize this opportunity.

AS Monaco is definitely one of the biggest clubs in France and even in Europe. Some fantastic players have come through here! (...) And even today, there is a lot of talent, so it is even more of a source of pride for me to be part of it now.

Moatasem Al-MusratiOn the Club

What are your first impressions?

I am delighted, especially since the facilities here (he looks at the Performance Centre) are exceptional. All the players welcomed me and welcomed me with open arms. So I think it will go well for me.

What do you know about the history, even recent, of the Rouge et Blanc?

AS Monaco is certainly one of the biggest clubs in France and even in Europe. Fantastic players have come through here! I can mention Fabinho in my position, but also Tiémoué Bakayoko or João Moutinho, with whom I played at Braga. And even today, there is a lot of talent, so it is all the more a source of pride for me to be part of it now.

You played with three former Monaco players: João Moutinho, Rony Lopes and Rachid Ghezzal. Did you contact any of them before coming to Monaco?

To be honest, I didn’t have time to write to them before coming here, because everything happened very quickly for me until I signed my contract. But I know exactly where I’m going, and once again I’m very happy to have joined this prestigious club. João? He’s a great player as well as being a lovely person off the pitch, I loved playing alongside him.

I am very proud for my family and for my country, to be the first player from Libya to play in France and in Monaco in particular. It is a great feeling for me to be a pioneer. And I really hope that in the future, many young talents will follow the same path, because we have very good football players.

Can you explain why you chose the number 8?

It’s my favorite number. One of my brothers wore it when he was playing, so I naturally took it. Especially since I’ve always been lucky with this number, so it’s special for me. And then it was free, so I took advantage of it.

You are the first Libyan footballer to wear the colors of AS Monaco. Are you proud of that?

Of course! I am very proud for my family and for my country, to be the first player from Libya to play in France and in Monaco in particular. It is a great feeling for me to be a pioneer.

And I really hope that in the future, many young talents will follow the same path, because we have very good football players. They just have to take this step of coming to play in Europe to write their own history here. And I am sure that it will happen!

Do you know that there have been great African players in the history of AS Monaco?

Or of course, there have been George Weah and Yaya Touré, who was my favorite player in midfield when I was younger. I really enjoyed watching him when he was at his best.

There are a lot of young players in this squad so it is important to help them, and to support them even when they make mistakes, to reassure them and explain to them how not to make them again.

Moatasem Al-MusratiOn what he brings to the team

Do you have other inspirations in this defensive midfield position?

There are many! I loved a player like Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets and even Rodri today. I like players with this style, very calm on the ball and who think and organize the game. I recognize myself in that, and I also enjoy talking with my teammates. My profile? I prefer that people discover it on the pitch (smiles).

How did you start playing football?

In the street! My uncle saw me playing downstairs with other kids, and immediately told my mom that I had talent and that I should be sent to play at the Al-Ittihad club in Tripoli, the Libyan capital. I spent 6-7 years there at the training center, before joining Portugal where I also spent 7 years of my life (Vitória Guimarães, Rio Ave and Braga, editor’s note).

What do you think you can bring to the team?

There are a lot of young players in this squad so it is important to help them, and to support them even when they make mistakes, to reassure them and explain to them how not to make them again. Everyone makes mistakes, so it is important to stay close to them and support them in their progress.

What do you know about Ligue 1?

I know it’s one of the best leagues in Europe right now. I’ve watched some games and realized the quality of the players who play here.

Do you remember the two games against AS Monaco in the Europa League?

Of course! It was three years ago, and when we saw that we were going to face this club, all the Braga players were really excited at the idea of ​​playing against such an opponent. We had two good games, and notably won the first leg in Portugal. But I hope that the AS Monaco supporters have forgotten this episode, I don’t want them to remember me as a bad memory (smiles)!

And that you scored against the coach with Vitória Guimarães?

We didn’t talk about it, and I also hope he forgot (Laughs)! In any case, I had the opportunity to talk with him when I arrived, and I understood very well what he expected from me on the pitch. So I think it will go well.

Benfica is the best team in Portugal for me, they have a lot of high-quality players. It will be a big match against them, and we will have to be focused for 90 minutes to hope to win.

You will be facing Benfica in this Champions League play-off first leg. What can you tell us about this team that you know well?

Benfica is the best team in Portugal for me, they have a lot of high-quality players. It will be a big match against them, and we will have to be focused for 90 minutes to hope to win. Especially since it will be really important to take a lead at home before the return leg in Lisbon.

What are your goals with AS Monaco?

First of all, I want to help the team finish as high as possible in the league table. I want us to have the best possible end to the season, so that everyone is happy: the management, the fans, the coach, the staff. Because we have the qualities to do very good things!