In a post on his LinkedIn account, the former player of the capital endorsed the fact of having left for Qatar for financial reasons. Transferred for nine million euros to Al-Ahli during the summer transfer window, the German winger says he is ready to “understand the criticism” on this decision to join the Qatari championship. “It’s my life, I take responsibility for my decision and I’m happy that we found a solution,” assured the former Wolfsburg player.
“I could now stand up and say that after 12 years in Europe, for me it is all about discovering a new culture, having a new international experience, participating in an exciting project in the Arab world – and “exclude the theme of money,” said the 30-year-old. Even if these aspects are honestly relevant, it would still be a lie if the financial part was not also decisive in this case,” continued Draxler.
Having become unwanted during his last years in the capital, the German “would have liked a different ending”, but he finally flew to Qatar this summer, just like Marco Verratti and Abdou Diallo. The four-time French champion wanted at all costs to avoid another year without “any perspective” as he experienced during his loan to Benfica Lisbon last season. The former Schalke 04 player claims to have “thought a lot” about the future of his career.
Julian Draxler will keep fond memories of his time in Paris, where he arrived as a “young man” and where he leaves “as a father and adult who has seen the world and learned a lot on and off the field”. “I am extremely grateful to the club and all Parisians for all the memories and experiences,” concluded the former Paris Saint-Germain player.
