“I hope the Iraqi fans can be proud of Ali Jasim. Our fans deserve to have big-name stars, whether they’re playing in Asia or Europe.”
Many football fans outside of Asia may not have known about Ali Jasim, the man behind these words, before they went to Stade de Lyon on 24 July, or when they turned on their televisions. After the match between Iraq and Ukraine on the first day of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024, everyone in Europe was able to appreciate the talents of the Iraqi prodigy.
After coming on as a 58th-minute substitute when the Lions of Mesopotamia had just equalised through Aymen Hussein’s penalty, the 20-year-old forward struck gold. He was picked out on the left and cut inside, eluded an opponent’s tackle before unleashing a low drive that goalkeeper Kiril Fesiun could only get fingertips to. Little did he know at the time, but he had just scored what would turn out to be the winning goal in a famous 2-1 victory.
“The coaching staff rested me in the first half because I had a muscle strain. When the team needed me, I managed to perform to the best of my ability and bring joy to Iraq, our people, my team-mates and the staff,” Ali Jasim told FIFA exclusively after the match. “I want to give my all for Iraq because the Iraqi people deserve it.”
Not for the first time, the young winger has brought a smile to his country’s face. Earlier this year he finished as the top scorer at the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, with four goals, playing a leading role in helping Iraq to qualify for the Games. A month later, he was on target for the senior side in FIFA World Cup 26 qualification, firstly against Indonesia (2-0) and then Vietnam (3-1).
That was enough to earn him a move to recently promoted Serie A outfit Como 1907 on the same day of Iraq’s Olympic opener. “We think Jasim can flourish with us at Como,” said his new club coach Cesc Fabregas on the club’s website. “He has already made a big impression with the national team and in the AFC Champions League and we’re hoping he’ll hit the ground running in Italy next season.”
Como 1907 is delighted to announce the signing of one of the brightest talents from Asia, Ali Jasim from Al-Kahrabaa on a three-year contract
“I’m delighted to be praised by Fabregas,” Jasim told FIFA on being informed of the comments from the 2010 World Cup winner.
“That’s the first time I’ve heard that. I feel so honoured that a top player and a brilliant coach like him has said such nice things about me. I’m both proud and happy to have him as my coach at Como.”
Meanwhile, Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil also welcomed his move to Europe. “As a coach, we’d like to see more players make the move to Europe, like Ali Jasim,” he said after the match against Ukraine.
“They will benefit from the development of European football and the high calibre of the game over there, which could have a positive knock-on effect on the standard of the Iraqi team. That’s what happened to other Arab teams like Morocco, Algeria and even Egypt.”
Despite his tender age, the electric Jasim has already amassed a huge bank of experience in FIFA World Cup qualifiers and both at continental level with Iraq’s youth teams and his club side. The next step for the Baghdad-born youngster is to showcase his talents on an even bigger stage.
“I’ve given everything I’ve got over the last two years, at club level, for the national team and for the Olympic team,” he concluded. “A player must make every effort for their country. Every player’s ultimate goal is to represent their national team. With God’s help, I’m in a position to give everything I’ve got for Iraq because the country deserves it.”
There is every chance that, come Saturday, the Olympic Tournament fans who will be flocking to Stade de Lyon for the clash with Argentina will sit up and take notice when they spot the Iraqi number seven on the Rhone turf.
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