Amman — Al-Jazeera football player Yaseen Al-Bakhit said he has benefited greatly from the various professional experiences he has had throughout his football career, stressing that nearly 12 years spent playing in Gulf leagues helped develop his level and gave him extensive experience both on and off the pitch.
اضافة اعلان
Al-Bakhit played professionally for several clubs in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. He believes that moving between these experiences and different football schools helped shape him as a player and gave him the opportunity to learn about different coaching methods and competitions, while also gaining valuable experience in dealing with the pressures and demands of professional football.
Speaking in a video interview with Al-Ghad, Al-Bakhit said he had “tasted success” during his career, considering his continued presence on the pitch at his age an achievement in itself. Despite turning 38, he said he still feels capable of contributing more on the field.
“The older I get, the more I feel capable of giving more. I still see myself able to contribute, and even now I don’t know when I will retire from football because I feel I still have a lot to give,” he said.
Al-Bakhit noted that maintaining physical fitness and discipline off the pitch are no less important than performance during matches. He said his lifestyle since the beginning of his career has been based on athletic discipline, including sleep, rest, training and nutrition.
He explained that a professional player cannot reach the highest levels through talent alone, but needs a comprehensive lifestyle that helps maintain his level for as long as possible. He added that he follows a diet and training regimen suited to the demands of a footballer.
Al-Zaki’s interest provides fresh motivation
Al-Bakhit also discussed the national team, revealing that Jordan head coach Badou Zaki asked about him during the opening round of the Professional League. He said the interest gave him a major morale boost and renewed his hope of returning to the national team.
He said someone close to him told him that Zaki had asked about him and been following his news, stressing that the message had a significant impact on him, particularly because he had represented the national team for many years.
He added that simply knowing the national team coaching staff was monitoring his performances and asking about him provided additional motivation to continue working hard. He expressed hope of receiving another opportunity to represent Jordan if the coaching staff believes he can make a contribution.
Al-Bakhit recalled his participation with the national team at the 2019 Asian Cup, including Jordan’s elimination by Vietnam on penalties in the round of 16.
He also revisited one of his most memorable moments in the national team shirt: his famous goal against Paraguay, which remains firmly etched in the memories of Jordanian fans.
Al-Bakhit discussed the circumstances surrounding the goal and the decision he made at the time, noting that he covered a long distance from the Jordanian goal toward the opposition goal in around nine seconds during an attack that became an unforgettable moment in his career.
“I will never forget Al-Faisaly fans’ support”
Al-Bakhit spoke with great pride about representing Al-Faisaly during the 2015 season, describing his experience with the club as one of the best of his career.
He said Al-Faisaly fans had left a lasting impression on him, praising the support he received while playing for the club and stressing that he would never forget the backing he received from its supporters.
He noted that his connection with the national team came at an important stage of his career, explaining that he did not join the national team until after playing for Al-Faisaly, despite having previously spent four seasons in the Saudi league.
Al-Bakhit also discussed the reasons behind his departure from Al-Faisaly after returning to the club the season before last, explaining the circumstances surrounding his time with the team and why the experience did not reach its conclusion.
He stressed that his relationship with the club and its fans remains based on respect and appreciation, and that his time with Al-Faisaly will remain one of the important and memorable chapters of his football career.
The interview also included some humorous memories from Al-Bakhit’s time with his national team teammates. He recalled an incident involving fellow player Anas Al-Awdat during Jordan’s participation in the 2021 Arab Cup.
Al-Bakhit recounted what happened before Jordan’s match against Egypt, describing the atmosphere in the national team camp at the time and the moments shared by the players away from the matches and training sessions.
Resource: Al-Ghad. Reporting: Mohammad Arabiyat
