Al-Batran: A great addition to our league and Emirati football

The Board of Directors of the Emirates Club Company held a press conference at the Intercontinental Hotel, Ras Al Khaimah, during which it announced the contract with the legend Andreas Iniesta, the Spanish soccer star, to represent the club’s first soccer team in the current season 2023-2024, in the presence of Youssef Al-Batran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the club, President of the Football Company, and members of the Board of Directors and the company. In addition to the player's agent and representatives of local, Arab and international media, they were keen to attend the great global event. Al-Rassam ended his association with the past Vissel Kobe club after five years in the Japanese League. Emirates Club will be the third stop in the legend's career after he played for Barcelona and the Japanese Vissel Kobe.

The contract deal with Iniesta sparked great reactions, and most newspapers and channels shed light on it and on the Emirates Club, which the jewel of Barca decided to sign for.
Youssef Al-Batran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Club and President of the Football Company, thanked the wise leadership for its support for sports and athletes in the country, and His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, for his continuous support for the club and for sports in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Our work and the source of our enthusiasm and our desire to provide everything that would contribute to the development of the Emirates Club. He also thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, for the support and interest he provides as well as for sports in the emirate, which enabled the athletes to present the achievements that raise the name of the emirate. In various forums, Al-Batran praised the interest, follow-up, and role of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al-Qasimi in the Emirates Club, and thanked him for his trust and support for them, which facilitated work and upgrading him to the best. The accession of a player like Iniesta with all his history, name, achievements and stardom is undoubtedly a very important addition to Emirati football and the ADNOC League. Iniesta is one of the legends of world football and a star of his stature represents an addition to every league in the world, and he was required in more than one league due to the desire of officials in these leagues to benefit from his value His name, his experiences, his stardom, and their belief in his great value, Al-Batran added: The addition that Iniesta will make to our league is not only technical, there are other very important gains, as it enhances the status and value of our league and draws more attention to it. The journalist Dorina is one of the international media, and I believe that such names add to tourism and confirm the great position enjoyed by our country and Ras Al Khaimah as a tourist destination and an attractive place to live, live and practice various activities, whether sports or economic. Leadership, abilities and talent, along with the rest of the names and players in the team, in providing a good season after its promotion to the ADNOC League.

Al-Batran considered that Iniesta is still capable of giving, referring to his professionalism, commitment and discipline. He said that he is qualified to present the model to young and young players, especially since he is a decent player whose career did not know red cards or deviating from the script.

And Iniesta, in turn, confirmed that he is looking forward to a new challenge in his career and hopes to make a mark with the Emirates Club and the ADNOC League. Iniesta said: This is a new experience and a new challenge for sure. With all enthusiasm, I will cooperate with my colleagues in order to contribute to achieving the goals set by those in charge of the club. Of course, I am happy to play for the Emirates Club and in the UAE League, which is developing greatly. He expressed his keenness to provide all his experiences to his young colleagues and the team in general, and praised Iniesta for the warm reception And the hospitality that he received, and he saw that it confirms that he is welcome, which pushes him to work hard in order to have good faith in him. He noted that he and his family enjoy visiting the Emirates, expressing his confidence that they will be happy to reside there.

Numbers and achievements
Iniesta played 857 matches in his career with 59,625 playing minutes
He scored 88 goals, made 162, and was crowned with 32 titles with Barcelona, ​​including four European Champions Leagues, nine Leagues, six King’s Cups, seven Super Spain, three European Super Cups, and three Club World Cups. 2001 and the European Under-19 Championship in 2002 and won the award for the best player in Europe in 2012 and the best player in the European Nations in 2012 and came second in the ranking of the winners of the Golden Ball for the best player in the world in 2010 as he won third place in 2012 and fourth twice in 2009 and 2011 and was chosen as the best Spanish player in the La Liga in 2009, the second best player twice, the best attacking midfielder four times, the Marca legend award in 2011, and the man of the match in the World Cup three times in 2010. Iniesta received the Royal Sports Merit Medal in 2011 and the title of Prince of Asturias in 2010.

Welcome from the Falcons players

Firas Al-Khasibi, defender of the Emirates team, said that it is our pleasure to have Iniesta as one of the Falcons. All players are happy to have him. Iniesta is a world-class player and a great name.

Firas added that all the players of the team will cooperate with Iniesta and will work at the same time to learn from him and benefit from him. Al-Khasibi assured the Emirates Club contract with Iniesta will benefit the league in general, not just the Emirates team, and he thought that it is an addition to Emirati football. He said that the international names give the league momentum This makes it a subject of follow-up and attention from the international media, in addition to the fact that these names add excitement and contribute to strengthening and developing competition.

Al-Jalbot: a quantum leap in contracting

Mohammed Al-Jalbot, coach of the Emirates team, described the contract with Spain's Andreas Iniesta as a quantum leap in relations and said: Iniesta is definitely a legend, and contracting with him achieves gains for Emirati football and for our role. From a technical point of view, Iniesta is an important player. He will be useful to us in the dressing room and inside the stadium, and he will transfer his great experiences to his colleagues. The team will benefit from his personality and his experiences in different situations. As a coach, I am happy with his presence and I think he will be useful and an addition to us. Al-Jalbot explained that he is happy to train a player like him, hoping that He achieves success, even if he adds, pointing out that the atmosphere in the club will help him adapt quickly.