Yacine Brahimi: My five fantastic years at FC Porto | OneFootball

Yacine Brahimi gave a lengthy interview to this Saturday’s edition of the newspaper O Jogo, in which he explained the reasons that led him to leave FC Porto in the summer of 2019, on a free transfer, to move to Qatar, where he first played for Al-Rayyan and currently represents Al-Gharafa, a team coached by Portuguese manager Pedro Martins.

“I am very happy, it wasn’t easy to leave FC Porto, because of the club’s greatness and the years I spent there. But, within a few months in Qatar, I already felt content. The truth is that this league has grown a lot, every season the level of the players, the structures, and the professionalism improves. I am trying to do my part, giving my best also with the attraction of the Asian Champions League. I am happy to play here, I lead a wonderful life, also for my children and wife. But I work hard to get closer to the highest level,” he said.

“My decision to swap Europe for Qatar was more as a man than as a player. Football didn’t count as much; I was more in search of the life I needed, of some cultural aspects I wanted to provide for my family. But I am very competitive and I look forward to the biggest challenges. Over these years, first at Al Rayyan, now at Al-Gharafa, I’ve had offers, but I respected my contracts. I am happy here, I am well treated, I am very comfortable with my family. I never thought about leaving,” he added.

“We should have won more titles”

The Algerian international wore the Dragons’ shirt for five seasons, scoring 54 goals and providing 34 assists in 215 official matches. During that period, he won a national championship, a Portuguese Cup, and a Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira – a record that, he admits, leaves him wanting more.

“With the players we had, the group involved, and the way we played, we should have won more titles. I have that bitter taste of having won only one championship. But I learned a lot, I experienced from the inside one of the best clubs in the world, both because of the players, the structure, and also the professionalism. Everything was at the highest level,” he said.

“They were five fantastic years for me, as a man as well. But it’s a shame to have won only one league, it’s a sadness that remains and it always hurts when people ask me about it. We should have won much more than a championship, a Cup, and a Super Cup. Other than that, everything was positive. I wish FC Porto the greatest success,” he added.

The 35-year-old forward assures, however, that he continues to closely follow the blue and white team: “FC Porto is, honestly, the club that stayed in my heart, the same goes for the city and the fans. They were five memorable years. Of course, when they don’t win, and the recent years haven’t been easy, it hurts a bit.”

“I am sure that it will return to its best years, to its best level, and win many titles. FC Porto is that kind of club! But we know there are tougher times, periods of change. Soon, Porto fans will see their team win everything again,” he concluded.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.