Football star Alexander Issak visits Eritrea

Alexander with Ambassador Zemede Tekle, Commissioner of Culture and sports

Alexander Issak at the Asmara Stadium

By Asmait Futsumbrhan | Eritrean Profile

Swedish - Eritrean professional footballer, Alexander Issak came recently to visit his homeland with his family. Born in 1999, Alexander was raised in Solna, in the Stockholm urban areas.

Discovering his passion for soccer at such a young age, he made his breakthrough while playing for a Swedish football club, AIK short for Allmänna Idrottsklubben.

He signed a contract with the German Bundesliga club, Borussia Dortmund, in 2017 which will last until the summer of 2022.

During his stay in Eritrea, Alexander has visited the grass-root foot-ball projects and watched a soccer game at the Asmara Stadium. Q&A managed to get a short interview with him.

Welcome home, Alexander.

Thank you, it’s good to be home.

You have visited the grass-root projects in Asmara. Would you please share your thoughts, especially since you were part of the European grass-root projects?

This is the first time I am here since I was very young. I like that the kids are training and building their future. I did the same when I was young; we were many kids on the same pitch. This is an interesting project and it’s nice to see where the kids develop and be guided.

Training is what is going to make them better. I think they have a good pitch and environment for them to train and be the best. They also have good coaches and materials to improve their skills and become good players.

Have you had the chance to get an insight into the future soccer players’ talents?

It is hard to say as I have been to one training only. However, during that one time I saw that they worked real hard. The kids have the passion for soccer and there isn’t a doubt that they can grow to be great at what they do.

Do you plan to make any connection with the Eritrean soccer federation or other Eritrean soccer players in future?

Yes. I plan to keep in touch and I want to come back soon.

Alex visiting the grass-root projects at Asmara Stadium 

Sponsored Ads