World Cup winner Julian Draxler left European football in September and joined Al-Ahli from Qatar. In a statement, the 30-year-old now explained his decision – and expressed understanding for criticism of his switch.
After six years of ups and downs, Julian Draxler decided to leave Paris St. Germain for good in mid-September. From the French top club, which owes its sporting rise to the never-ending money of the main owner from Qatar, the now 30-year-old World Cup winner of 2014 moved to the Qatari Stars League to Al-Ahli.
“I’d be lying if the financial part wasn’t also crucial “
The club from the capital paid around ten million euros for the services of the former super-talent, who, as before in Paris, will be rewarded with a handsome salary. That the financial aspect played a role in the decision-making process, Draxler openly admitted in a recently published statement on the platform “LinkedIn”.
“Yes, of course the financial aspect also plays an important role for me. I could now stand up and say: after twelve years in Europe, my sole concern is to get to know a new culture, to have a new international experience, to be involved in an exciting project in the Arab world – and leave the subject of money out of it,” said the former Schalke and Wolfsburg player. “Even if these aspects are honestly true, it would still be a lie if the financial part is not also decisive in this case. “
Why it didn’t work out with a change within Europe
In Paris, where his last few weeks have been “very turbulent”, Draxler said he wished for a “different ending” but looks back on a “wonderful time” in the French capital. “I came in 2017 as a young man and now leave as a grown-up family man who has seen the world and learned an incredible amount on and off the pitch over the past six years. For all the memories and experiences, I am extremely grateful to the club and all the people in Paris.”
However, he said he was aware that his move may have sparked discussions in Germany.
“Why Qatar now? Why not the Bundesliga, why not another European league? It simply could not be agreed and I honestly lacked the final conviction for a move within Europe,” Draxler explains. “I also found the idea of jumping into the deep end far away from Europe at the age of 30 appealing and it was also important to me that I could play football properly again and be on the pitch regularly in competitive mode. The alternative at PSG would have been a year completely without any perspective, which I wanted to avoid at all costs. “
Draxler can understand criticism
While the desire for financial security may still seem understandable and comprehensible to many football fans, many are also offended by the political component associated with a move to the oil state. Draxler weighed up the pros and cons and came to the conclusion that “the new financial framework gives us even more opportunities. Both for the family and for other projects off the pitch.”
But, Draxler concluded, “I can certainly understand criticism of the decision, but it is my life. I stand by my decision and am glad that we finally found this solution. “