Khaled Al-Attas, who was supporting the Al-Ain team in the stands of Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, during Al-Zaeem’s match against Al-Hilal in the fifth round of the AFC Champions League in 2018, turned his dream, for his team to win the continental championship title for the second time, into reality. He contributed significantly to it in a personal capacity, after he left the stands and took to the field and became a player in the team, and succeeded in stopping the “Ataula” attackers of the Asian clubs, and gave Al Ain the major Asian title in 2024.
Al-Ain international team defender Khaled Al-Attas narrated to Emirates Al-Youm the details of the great transformation in his sports career from an Aynaoui fan to a player in the first team, and said: “I remember that I was present in the team’s match in 2018 against Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia, while in the 2018 edition… Currently, I was participating on the field. This matter was the result of diligence, sacrifices, and determined ambitions. It did not come from nowhere, and it required a lot of perseverance from me.
He continued: “The Al Ain Club system is the one that provided the appropriate atmosphere to win the Asian title,” and explained: “There is a great collective effort, starting from the management, the technical staff, and the players, who performed at an outstanding level throughout the tournament.”
Al-Attas, who started his career in Baniyas and moved to Al Ain last June, confirmed that “he was six years old when Al Ain won the Asian Championship title for the first time in 2003, and that he does not remember any details about that title.” He said: “I am from a family.” I belong to the Al Jazira team. I do not remember anything about that tournament, or that we celebrated it, but in 2024 I was able to force my brothers and father to celebrate this title with me.”
The international defender pointed to the moment when it was confirmed that the title was on its way to Al Ain, which was before the semi-final first leg match against Al Hilal Saudi Arabia, which was held in Al Ain, and he said: “I prayed to God that we would succeed in our journey, and I felt that we would do it, and I always saw the title before my eyes. I thank God that we succeeded in winning the title.”
Al-Attas stressed that prior nominations have no place in football, and that the decision is always on the field. He said: “Regardless of whether we were the nominated team for the title or not, but in the end the field is the decisive place. We did not care that we were a nominated team.” Or not, because football is about “written stories”. For example, Al Hilal team was a candidate because it spent a lot of money and signed international players, but Al Ain was the one who won the title.
Ronaldo
Al-Attas explained that he “does not consider stopping the dangerous striker of the Saudi Al-Nasr team, the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, as a measure of his abilities,” and said: “I am proud to face Ronaldo, even though that is not a measure to test my capabilities, because he has advanced in age. I respect all teams.” And the players, and certainly with hard work and diligence, any player can achieve positive things on the field.”
Perfect encouragement
The Al Ain team defender pointed out that he had the opportunity to watch many matches as a player and spectator, but he admired the method of encouragement in Saudi Arabia and Japan, and said: “I visited various European countries and watched the Manchester City match against Real Madrid, and I played against the Saudi Al Hilal and the Japanese Yokohama in the current version, and I can Saying that the ideal culture of encouragement exists in Saudi Arabia, Japan, and then Europe.
Money and “Asianism”
Al-Attas stressed that “winning the AFC Champions League title will not change anything about his personality, and that he will remain as he is known among his family, friends and teammates,” and added: “Money will not change me… nor will (Asia).”
Khaled Al-Attas:
. Money won’t change me…and neither will (the Asian woman).
. It is an honor for me to face Ronaldo, even though this is not a measure to test my potential, because he is old.
. .