Qatari footballer Akram Afif has signed with Spanish La Liga side Villarreal CF, joining from Belgian outfit KAS Eupen, who recently won promotion to the top division.
One of the brightest prospects in Qatari football, Afif said he could be one of many players from the Gulf country to sign with European sides ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
“It is a dream come true for me to be the first Qatari player in La Liga,” Afif told www.sc.qa. “I hope I can be one of the best players in La Liga for Villarreal, and to help Qatar for the World Cup and represent the players from the Aspire Academy.
“I want to do something for Qatar. Playing in the Champions League is an objective for me, but first I want to help the team, that is the most important thing.”
The Doha-born striker becomes the first player from Qatar to join a La Liga side, hopes to play in next season’s Champions League competition, as well as help Qatar qualify for the World Cup in Russia.
“Our target in the national team is that we want to play in the World Cup in Russia in 2018. We have the chance to do so because we have a very good team. It is a difficult group but nothing is easy in life, and I hope that we can take third or second position,” he said.
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